Once inhabited by Jicarilla Apache and Moache Ute Indians, Philmont was the site of one of the first pioneer settlements in Northeastern New Mexico. The present ranch ispart of the original Beaubien and Miranda Land Grant which was granted by Mexico in 1841. Beaubien's son-in-law, mountain man Lucien Maxwell, led settlers to the grant in 1848. With the help of his friend Kit Carson, Maxwell's settlement on the Rayado River prospered, despite frequent Indian raids and harsh wilderness conditions.
The properties changed hands several times. In 1922, Oklahoma oilman, Waite Phillips, became interested in developing a ranch out of the old land grant. He eventually amassed over 300,000 acres of mountains and plains in a ranch he called Philmont (derived from his name and "monte", the spanish word for mountain).j
Philmont became a showplace. Phillips built a large Spanish Mediterranean home naming it Villa Philmonte. He developed horse and hiking trails throughout the scenic backcountry.
Waite Phillips believed in sharing his wealth with people outside his family. In this spirit, he offered 35,857 acres of his ranch to the Boy Scouts of America in 1938 to serve as a national wilderness camping area. The area was called "Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp (After Phillips and the BSA slogan, "do a good turn daily").
After observing the enthusiastic response of the scout campers, Phillips added to his original gift in 1941 to make a total gift of 127,395 acres and it was renamed the Philmont Scout Ranch. He then set up an endowment (which included his 23 story Philtower in Tulsa, Oklahoma) to help with expenses and maintenance of the properties.
The Philmont Scout Ranch address is Route 1, Box 35, Cimarron, NM 87714
Waite Phillips Dedication - 1941
"These properties are donated and dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America for the purpose of perpetuating faith, self-reliance, integrity and freedom - principles used to build the great country by the American pioneer."
"So that these future citizens may, through thoughtful adult guidance and by the inspiration of nature, visualize and form a code of living to diligently maintain these high ideals and our proper destiny."
