Singing Wind Bookshop

James Bearden/Alamy

Mosey down a long bumpy dirt road in Arizona’s San Pedro Valley, and you’ll find the Singing Wind Bookstore, located on a working cattle ranch and focusing on books of the American Southwest.

The Singing Wind Bookstore is over 40 years old and specializes in books that celebrate the culture and writers of the southwest, including non-fiction, fiction, journalism, and more.

Winifred Bundy and her husband purchased the Singing Wind Ranch in 1956 and after completion of a Master’s Degree in library science and working to compile all the inventory, the Singing Wind Bookstore opened its doors in 1974.

Bundy knows just about every regional author around, and her shop sells signed copies of most of her books. The shelves aren’t labeled, and visitors must rely on a tour from Bundy or one of her staff to find what they are looking for.

In the age of Amazon and Kindles, the Singing Wind Bookstore continues to stand the test of time, relying on nothing more than word-of-mouth marketing.

Know Before You Go

Take Interstate 10 east past Tucson to Benson. At Exit 304, take Ocotillo Road north 2.1 miles. Turn east on Singing Wind Road, a graded dirt road, and follow it a half-mile to the ranch house. The store is officially open by appointment, but you can usually stop by from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and find an owner ready to help. Since 2020, the store now accepts credit cards.