El Chorro Lodge, which sits on 14 desert acres in Paradise Valley is more than a Valley tradition, it’s a sensory experience. Visitors enjoy the captivating Sonoran landscape which awaits them on the beautiful outdoor patio. They can also dine in a cozy and romantic dining room setting. The Lodge has a long and time-honored history. It was built in 1934 by John Lincoln as the Judson School for Girls because Lincoln wanted a school for his daughter, Lillian, to attend. Today the original schoolroom is the main bar at El Chorro. Three years later, Jan and Mark Gruber purchased the property, turning it into a lodge and dining room. Many celebrities including Clark Gable and Milton Berle found their way to this charming desert destination lured by the Gruber s hospitality, the glow of the mesquite fireplace on the outdoor patio, and their famous home cooking.