Kenyon Ranch was founded by William Allen in 1937. Located in Tubac, Arizona, in the foothills of the Tumacacori Mountains, the original ranch buildings are constructed of stone. Allen originally visited Arizona from Ohio and decided to purchase land. The ranch, named after his alma mater Kenyon College, opened in 1938.

Bill Allen and his wife, Marcella “Sis” expanded the ranch to 1700 acres and the family ran it as an active, successful dude ranch until 1973. Bill served as president of the Arizona Dude Ranch Association for two terms in the 1940s. Over the years, popular actors and celebrities visited the ranch including Cary Grant and Ricky Nelson.