Our History
While The Lazy J Ranch has been family owned and operated since 1963, its story begins nearly twenty years prior with the art of square dancing. Jim Schultheis, the original owner, began calling old-fashioned frontier square dances in 1941 for the USO during his naval service at Pearl Harbor. These dances gave Jim and his fellow servicemen something to look forward to during a time of hardship. Once the war ended, Jim moved to Michigan to marry Ann, his wartime pen pal. Jim continued to call dances as Recreation Director for the city of Detroit, passing his dance-calling skills to his children.
In 1963, Jim and Ann moved their family of seven from Dearborn to an 80-acre farm in Milford– do you see where this is going? Jim and his two sons, Patrick and Joe, began to turn their new home into a community destination when they converted the original dairy barns into old-fashioned dance halls. The Lazy J Ranch became a meeting place for square dancers of all ages and skills. Attendees loved the atmosphere and the dancing so much, they began requesting to hold their own special events there.
In 1980, Jim’s son, Joe Schultheis, became proprietor of The Lazy J Ranch. Keeping his father’s spirit alive, Joe continues the tradition of calling barn dances for the enjoyment of all ages, no prior knowledge of square dancing required. Today, The Lazy J Ranch is a year-round host to all types of events from weddings and anniversaries to family reunions, birthday parties, fundraisers, singles’ mixers and everything in between.
Check Out Our Videos
