Stone cabin at Dove Mountain once belonged to ranch family

The small rock house blends in with the terrain, but provides a contrast to the elegant houses that occupy the surrounding neighborhoods.

Even though the abandoned cabin does not match the other houses, it predates all of the neighborhoods in Dove Mountain, said David Mehl, president and owner of Cottonwood Properties.

Cottonwood Properties is the master developer for Dove Mountain.

Eugene "Cush" Cayton owned 1,300 acres of Dove Mountain, which was known as T Bench Bar Ranch when he owned it.

Cayton purchased the piece of Ruelas Canyon in 1928 after he arrived here from Missouri, according to a Dove Mountain information booklet.

Cayton's brother built the house and lived there.

Mehl said he does not know the brother's name, when he lived in the house or how long he lived there.

Cayton "was a tough, crusty old cowboy," Mehl said.

Picture Rocks resident Judy Capen attended Community Christian Church of Marana with Cayton's wife, Inez.

The Caytons "had a beautiful grand piano, and she loved music," Capen said.

When Inez Cayton died in 1993, the piano was donated to the church, Capen said.

"She was a wonderful lady," she said. "She was very special."

The booklet says the Caytons were "gracious hosts, entertaining a wide variety of artists, scientists, prospectors, cowboys and assorted colorful characters over the years."

Cayton ranched the land until 1984 and sold it to Mehl one year later. He died in 1990.

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