Braehead Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Braehead Ranch
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Douglas, Wyoming |
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| Area | 81.3 acres (32.9 ha) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Built by | Peter George |
| Architectural style | Log, frame construction |
| NRHP reference No. | 95001074 |
| Added to NRHP | September 7, 1995 |
The Braehead Ranch is a historic ranch located in Converse County, Wyoming. It's about 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Douglas. The ranch sits in a beautiful area called the La Prele valley. From here, you can see the amazing red sandstone cliffs of Red Canyon.
This ranch was started by George H. Cross in the 1880s. The very first log cabin, built in 1883, is still there. Many other old ranch buildings from that time have also been saved. These include a log barn from 1887 and a frame barn from 1889. There's also a granary (for storing grain) from 1900 and a chicken house from 1910. A windmill and several smaller buildings are part of the ranch complex too. The main house, where the family lived, was built between 1893 and 1897. It was made using a wood frame.
Discovering Braehead Ranch's Past
George H. Cross started Braehead Ranch in the 1880s. At that time, this part of Converse County was mostly empty land. The ranch quickly became an important place for people living nearby. It was a social center where people gathered.
A Community Hub
By 1900, the ranch even had its own post office. It was called the Beaver post office and it served the community for 15 years. This shows how important Braehead Ranch was to the area. The ranch got its name from Cross's family home in Scotland. "Braehead" means "hilltop" in Scottish.
Meet George H. Cross
George H. Cross was born in Montreal, Canada, on September 15, 1854. He went to college and got a good education. In 1874, he moved to Colorado because he wanted to be a cowboy. A year later, in 1875, he moved to Wyoming.
In 1884, Peter George built a special homestead cabin for Cross and his new wife, Lea Marie. They had many children, with nine of them growing up to be adults. George H. Cross became a leader in his community. He served as a county commissioner, helping to manage the local government. He also became a state senator, working on laws for Wyoming.
A Historic Landmark
Braehead Ranch is a very important historical site. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 7, 1995. This means it is recognized as a place worth preserving for future generations.
