Pima County has identified a new owner to take over Old Tucson Studios, which closed in 2020.
The county recommends American Heritage Railways take control of the Southern Arizona landmark, acting County Administrator Jan Lesher announced in a memo to the Board of Supervisors on Friday.
The board will vote on approving an operating agreement with American Heritage Railways as the new owner of Old Tucson at its April 5 meeting.
American Heritage Railways, which is working with the county under a subsidiary corporation called Old Tucson Entertainment LLC, calls itself a “heritage tourism company based on the preservation of railroad history.”
The company has specialized in operating historic railroad equipment for more than 25 years, according to the memo. It’s a top-five licensor for live themed events with Warner Bros and owns three tourist railroads, a scenic bus company and a historic frontier hotel.
Allen Harper, who founded the company, serves as the chief executive officer and chairman of American Heritage Railways. He has over 25 years of experience with historic railways, theme parks, hotels and other tourist attractions, according to the county.
Under the proposed contract, American Heritage Railways would operate Old Tucson Studios as a “public Western Frontier-type recreational and entertainment venue.”
The operating agreement would last for five years with two possible 10-year extensions and one 25-year extension.
The company would pay Pima County $60,000 annually to rent the property and 4% of its annual gross operating revenue. The county says those funds will go toward capital maintenance and expansion.
In addition to keeping the facility open to the public with full services, the contract requires American Heritage Railways to provide youth educational services, make “commercially reasonable” efforts to promote Tucson as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and act to sustainably conserve the facility and nearby Tucson Mountain Park.
Old Tucson, the setting of more than 400 feature films and TV shows, closed in August 2020 after the pandemic halted the crowd-based events that drew visitors to the historic location.
The county took over control of the 180 acres of land leased to former owner Old Tucson Co. when it announced it would be terminating its 25-year lease due to financial troubles onset by the pandemic. The company had leased the property since 1973.
Two companies responded to the county’s solicitation for a new operator of Old Tucson and a seven-member committee selected American Heritage Railways to move forward with the process. The company was issued an Intent to Negotiate in September.
Photos: Expansion of Old Tucson and filming of "Rio Bravo" in 1958
Old Tucson, Rio Bravo, 1958
Updated
Nearly 100 carpenters and skilled craftsmen, many from Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., constructed additional buildings at Old Tucson Studios for the movie, "Rio Bravo," starring John Wayne, in 1958.
Old Tucson, Rio Bravo, 1958
Updated
Nearly 100 carpenters and skilled craftsmen, many from Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., constructed additional buildings at Old Tucson Studios for the movie, "Rio Bravo," starring John Wayne, in 1958.
Old Tucson, Rio Bravo, 1958
Updated
Nearly 100 carpenters and skilled craftsmen, many from Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., constructed additional buildings at Old Tucson Studios for the movie, "Rio Bravo," starring John Wayne, in 1958.
Old Tucson, Rio Bravo, 1958
Updated
Nearly 100 carpenters and skilled craftsmen, many from Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., constructed additional buildings at Old Tucson Studios for the movie, "Rio Bravo," starring John Wayne, in 1958.
Old Tucson, Rio Bravo, 1958
Updated
Nearly 100 carpenters and skilled craftsmen, many from Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., constructed additional buildings at Old Tucson Studios for the movie, "Rio Bravo," starring John Wayne, in 1958.
Old Tucson, Rio Bravo, 1958
Updated
Nearly 100 carpenters and skilled craftsmen, many from Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., constructed additional buildings at Old Tucson Studios for the movie, "Rio Bravo," starring John Wayne, in 1958.
Old Tucson, Rio Bravo, 1958
Updated
Nearly 100 carpenters and skilled craftsmen, many from Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., constructed additional buildings at Old Tucson Studios for the movie, "Rio Bravo," starring John Wayne, in 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Photo from the motion picture, Rio Bravo, 1959.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
At right, with a cigarette in his mouth, is John Wayne. Producer-director Howard Hawks is to Wayne's right on the set of "Rio Bravo" on May 24, 1958.
Photo credit: Bill Hopkins, Tucson Citizen
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
This is NOT John Wayne. It's a stand-in for the scene during filming of "Rio Bravo" on May 24, 1958. Tucson Citizen article says "At bottom: Wayne's stand-in rehearses scene as camera is angled to follow action effectively."
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Tucsonans Jessie Zededa, Phyllis Thompson, Roy Peak, and Mrs. Barry Rubin have fun playing extras in the Hawks production "Rio Bravo" on May 10 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Night filming of Rio Bravo on May 24 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
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A six-month-old Frost Point Siamese kitten, named Yu Phin, was given to Ricky Nelson by the Tucson Cat Club. Presentation was made at Old Tucson where the young singing star was working in the new western movie, Rio Bravo. Nancy Ann Nichols (left), junior member of the Tucson Cat Club and Ricky Nelson fan, and Mrs. Robert L. DuBois made the presentation. He was also given a life membership scroll and an invitation to enter his new kitten in the club's second annual Cat Show Nov. 29 and 30. June 4, 1958. T
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Producer-director Howard Hawks, left, and actor John Wayne on Old Tucson movie set for Rio Bravo on May 24, 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Filming of Rio Bravo. May 24 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Filming Rio Bravo on May 24 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Rio Bravo filming at night on May 24 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Hey Kids Dig This Gunman. May 10 1958. Ricky Nelson in movie Rio Bravo, filmed at Old Tucson. Nelson turned 18 at Old Tucson.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Rio Bravo filming on May 24 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
John Wayne and his mule on May 24 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Rio Bravo. May 24 1958.
"Rio Bravo" at Old Tucson Studios
Updated
Ricky Nelson messes around with his co-stars Dean Martin and John Wayne, on the set of Rio Bravo filmed at Old Tucson. May 10, 1958.
