Tal-WI-WI Lodge

The Tal-Wi-Wi area that we all love is a story that began near the Phoenix area (now known as Litchfield Park).  In the mid 1920’s Colonel Dale Bumstead, a distinguished agriculturalist, started ranching and farming outside of Phoenix.  He named his spread Tal-Wi-Wi, and its reputation grew rapidly.  His Tal-Wi-Wi ranch received national attention, when Col. Bumstead developed a new variety of grape called the Carinal.  It was quite a sensation when he sold the first 23 cases at the New York Fruit Auction for the unheard of record price at the time of $13.25 a case.  The same story repeated itself in Boston and Chicago, outselling all others by a landslide.  From that day on, many people from all over the world visited the Tal-Wi-Wi Ranch, including the Arabian Crown Prince and his entourage. In the late 30’s or early 40’s Bumstead started his Tal-Wi-Wi Ranch in the Pines north of Alpine.  He chose the area with as much care as his main ranch.  He used the Alpine ranch in the summer months to polish off his prize winning Hereford cattle, before they were sent to the nations largest Hereford exhibits and shows. Tal-Wi-Wi in the pines was sold off in early 1950’s after Col. Bumstead died.  The area is now enjoyed by about 50 residents and visitors to our lodge.