RIGGS CATTLE COMPANY

RIGGS CATTLE COMPANY HEADQUARTERS

Brannick Riggs, along with Mary Elizabeth and their children, built a thriving cattle operation at the base of the Chiricahua Mountains, extending into the Sulphur Springs Valley. At shipping time, Brannick and his sons would start their roundup near Rock Creek. They drove their cattle, gathering more along the way, to the Lap Circle near Willcox—a journey of about 40 miles. Remarkably, the cattle never left Riggs family land during this process. The next day, the herd would be shipped by rail from Willcox.

Brannick and his sons were astute businessmen. As their cattle business grew, they recognized the advantages of formalizing their operations. In 1904, the Riggs Cattle Company was established, with its Articles of Incorporation finalized in September 1905. The company was structured to ensure equal ownership among family members, with most of Brannick’s children joining the venture. Notably, Brannick B. did not participate, as he did not reside in the Riggs settlement at the time, and Martha was also not involved.

The Riggs Cattle Company’s brand featured three interlocking V’s on the left hip, with their points converging in the center. Known as the “Chicken Track” brand, it became a recognizable symbol of the company. Even after Brannick Riggs passed away in 1907, Mary Elizabeth stayed deeply involved in the business. Alongside her daughter Martha, she managed the company’s finances. With help from other family members, they kept the books until the company closed in 1922.

The Riggs Cattle Company expanded its holdings significantly over the years, acquiring numerous ranches and state-leased lands. When the company disbanded, these assets were divided equally among the stockholders.

Interestingly, the company headquarters was not located at the Riggs Home Ranch as one might assume. Instead, it was situated on the south side of the road, halfway between William and Ida’s Star Ranch and the Riggs Family Cemetery. However, a devastating fire struck the headquarters a couple of years before the company dissolved. The fire destroyed the barn, along with wagons, plows, and other machinery valued at $15,000 at the time (equivalent to $237,000 in 2025).

Management of the company rotated among the sons, and the family held biannual meetings. These gatherings occurred every Christmas or the day after, with a second meeting held during the summer.

After 18 years of operation, the Riggs Cattle Company faced several challenges. Brannick Riggs, J.J., and B.B. had passed away; Mary and Mr. Stark moved to California; Mary Elizabeth was in her mid-eighties; and disagreements arose among members. Ultimately, the family decided to dissolve the company.

Following its closure, the headquarters fell into disrepair. Many buildings and pieces of equipment were relocated to other sites, while immovable structures remained as remnants of the past. Today, you can still find traces of the old headquarters: the cement cone-shaped platform of the water tower stands behind where the cookhouse once stood, along with a large stump that once supported an anvil near the barn’s location. Nearby, the cookhouse’s poured cement walls and floor still endure as a testament to the Riggs family’s legacy.

See more information on the Riggs Cattle Company at Our El Dorato by John C. Riggs

COWBOY TEXTING

There was no telephone service connecting the Riggs family ranches. The distance between the various ranches and the Riggs Cattle Company headquarters bunkhouse didn’t lend to rapid communication. Having to ride horse back to Home Ranch and back, or one of the other ranches, took time. A way was devised to facilitate communicating the needs between the family and the cowboys. A 50-page paper pocket notebook and pencil was obtained and left at the Riggs Cattle Company headquarters bunkhouse. Directions for work to be done on the ranches like moving cattle from one pasture to another; repairs that needed to be done; maintenance of water supplies; requests for supplies such as tools, groceries, and material for sewing were left in the notebook for the next person going to Willcox to purchase and bring back. Any additional thoughts or needs concerning the following day’s work would be written in the notebook. Today with cell phones the same kind of information would be communicated by “Texting” so we decided to call it “Cowboy texting” so the younger generation would understand that in 1916 there were no cell phones to leave messages on. I’m sure that this situation and the need for communication among the family encouraged Thomas J. to install a telephone system among the Riggs ranches.

"TEXTING" ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO. PHOTOGRAPH OF A TABLET LEFT AT THE RIGGS CATTLE COMPANY HEADQUARTERS FOR MEMBERS TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER