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Getting Away
 Hermosa Inn
By Jim Prueter
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Lon Megargee ran away from home in 1896 at age
13 after his father died. He headed to Arizona to pursue his dream of a wild
and adventuresome life as a cowboy.
Lon knocked around at numerous Arizona ranches over the next few years and worked
odd jobs in Phoenix — fireman, stud-poker dealer, bronco buster, cartoonist.
Eventually, he bought his own 600-head cattle ranch. A severe and lengthy drought
forced Lon to sell his ranch, so he decided to concentrate on developing his
artistic prowess. His most famous artwork decorates the inside of every Stetson
hat.
Lon moved around the country and traveled extensively, even living in Spain for
a stretch. He settled back in Arizona in the 1920s, where he decided to build
himself a home and art studio on six-acre parcel just east of the Arizona Biltmore.
With a handful of Mexican workers and no blueprints, he built a home for himself
and several others. He built massive adobe walls from the surrounding rose-colored
soil to support the hand-hewn beams salvaged from an old mine. When Lon wanted
to add a room, he used a stick to draw lines in the soil and put his men to work.
Guests came from around the country to visit Lon’s Casa Hermosa, a place with
a reputation for good drinks and good times. Lon himself could be described
as a paramour, which is hinted at in many of his valuable works of art. After
several failed marriages, he sold the Hermosa in 1941.
 The property was restored in 1992 as the Hermosa Inn, maintaining the original
adobe, ironwork, wooden beams and beehive fireplaces. It consists of four villas,
three haciendas, 11 casitas and 17 ranchos. Each of the accommodations are uniquely
decorated with the entire property reflecting the rustic Arizona Southwest cowboy
history.
Situated in a tranquil, almost hidden upscale residential neighborhood that you’d
be unlikely to just happen across, the Hermosa boasts lush landscaped desert
grounds and arguably the best views of Camelback Mountain. All guest rooms feature-vaulted
ceilings, large armoires, hand painted Mexican tile and private patios.
The Hermosa is also home to the award-winning Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn restaurant,
dripping with genuine Old Arizona charm — whitewashed adobe walls, wood beams,
the smoky aroma of a mesquite wood burning fireplace and original artwork throughout.
If the weather is nice, dine outside on Lon’s charming patio for the best sunset
and mountain views.
Photos courtesy of Hermosa Inn
If you go
Hermosa Inn
5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd., Paradise Valley
602-955-8614; 800-241-1210
hermosainn.com
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