From Homestead to Hospitality: Watson and Nason Families

Written by Devon Sloan, May2025

May 21, 2021, wasn’t that long ago, and that’s the day the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa officially joined the Town of Oro Valley. But did you know that this beautiful resort started out as a home built less than 6 months after Arizona became a state in 1912?

William and Maria Watson purchased 172 acres of homestead land when Tucson was a community of 13,000 residents, and a dirt road was how people traveled from the Tucson downtown to this elegant hacienda-style home, usually taking a couple of hours to do so. It wasn’t until the 1920’s that tourism became a part of Tucson’s economy, and 15 cottages around the property were built to provide visitors with a unique southwest experience.

 

The property wasn’t called Westward Look until the 1940’s when the Nason family operated it as a dude ranch and finally added air-conditioning! Mrs. Nason named the property after the closing line of a poem by Arthur Hugh Clough “westward, look, the land is bright.”

This era brought Hollywood figures from both sides of the camera to the resort for fun, relaxation, and the quieter southwest atmosphere. Trail rides and chuckwagon dinners were part of that experience. In the 1950’s, the resort did not have a state liquor license, but guests could bring their own liquor and consume it on the premises.

The Santa Claus we all know and love from the early Coca-Cola commercials was born here in that decade, as well. A commercial artist, a frequent visitor for two decades, used the Nason’s two children to paint that picture we all remember of grateful children and a relaxed Santa enjoying the cold refreshing soft drink.

In the 1960’s telephones were added in each guest room. In the 1970’s, under new ownership, meeting rooms, restaurants, tennis courts, and pools were added, and it became Tucson’s first resort. The ownership changed again in the 1980’s, and since then, guest rooms, a ballroom, a rooftop terrace, and a spa have been added, and tennis courts and pool areas were modernized. Summer rates at that time were $29.00 for those willing to brave our high temperatures!

Now within the Wyndham Hotel family, the property has changed since being one family’s homestead 113 years ago. You can still feel the welcome, the charm, and the hospitality emerge from the lobby to the Gold Room Ballroom, the Overlook Bar and Grill, the Palm Room (one-time living room), and the beautiful walking trails leading to tennis courts and stables that grace the property. When you look Westward, the land is definitely bright!

Above vintage photos are from Westward Look Historic Photo Gallery. Check it out!