What's With All Of The...

...subdivisions out here in the East Valley with 'Ranch' in the name?

It's Wednesday, so I figured I'd throw in a little levity for hump day, but it is something that I ponder more and more the more houses I look at out here. There are a LOT of subdivisions/master planned communities named '__________ Ranch'. Off the top of my head, I can think of:

Morrison Ranch

Chandler Ranch (one of my favorites, as some ne'er-do-wells absconded with the 'C' and the 'R' from the west sign, making it now read 'Handle Ranch')

Copper Ranch

Cooper Ranch

Power Ranch

Sonoma Ranch

Gila River Ranch

Clemente Ranch

Cameron Ranch

Parkwood Ranch

Augusta Ranch

Harmon Ranch

Willis Ranch

Dobson Ranch

Allen Ranch

San Tan Ranch

Ray Ranch

This site has a pretty comprehensive list of all of the subdivisions in Arizona; in looking at it, I guess 'Ranch' is not as pervasive as it seems, but they sure stick out. I know I'm not the only one either- everybody I know has commented on the naming.

Are they trying to evoke the wild west? Because I don't know if that's exactly the type of image that would make me want to settle down somewhere- bandits, desperados, gunfights in the streets; yep, a great place to raise a family!

If I had better comic instincts, I could channel Jerry Seinfeld and turn this into one of those observational humor bits. "Didja ever notice...?" Without a punchline, though, I'll just leave this as an observation that puts a little smirk on my face every time I see (yet another) one...