Cheever-Cain Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cheever-Cain Ranch
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 Location in Montana
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Volborg, Montana |
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| Area | 12 acres (4.9 ha) |
| Built | 1905 |
| Built by | George Cheever |
| Architectural style | Vernacular Log |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000184 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 2010 |
The Cheever-Cain Ranch is a special old ranch located in Powder River County, Montana. It's near a small town called Volborg. This ranch has a long history, starting over 100 years ago. It shows us what life was like for early settlers in Montana.
A Family's New Home
In 1905, George and Martha Cheever, along with their daughter Lucretia and her husband Ernest Shy, decided to make this land their home. They claimed the land using laws called the Homestead Acts. These acts allowed people to get land from the government if they promised to live on it and farm it.
Sadly, George Cheever passed away in 1908. But his family kept going. Martha, Lucretia, and Ernest worked hard to build a farmhouse. They also started a ranching business on the land.
Life in Pumpkin Creek Valley
The Cheever-Cain Ranch was just one of many new ranches in the Pumpkin Creek valley. Many families came here to start new lives under the Homestead Acts. The ranch was also close to the Custer National Forest. This forest was created to protect the land. It helped prevent too many animals from eating all the grass. This problem is called overgrazing.
After Martha Cheever died, Lucretia and Ernest continued to run the ranch. They worked together for many years. Later, Ernest sold the property to the Cain family. The Cains were very good friends with Ernest. This is how the ranch got its name: Cheever-Cain.
A Place in History
The Cheever-Cain Ranch is important because it shows us how people lived and worked in the early 1900s. It tells a story of hard work and family. Because of its history, the ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 13, 2010. This means it's a special place that is protected for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
