Cherokee Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cherokee Ranch
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Gargoyle photographed in 2014
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 Location in Colorado
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| Nearest city | Sedalia, Colorado |
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| Area | 3,280 acres (13.3 km2) |
| Built | 1868, 1926-28 |
| Built by | John Blunt; et al. |
| Architect | Burnham F. Hoyt |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals |
| NRHP reference No. | 94001228 |
| Added to NRHP | October 21, 1994 |
Cherokee Ranch is a unique place in Douglas County, Colorado, near Sedalia, Colorado. Since 1954, it has been a working ranch, famous for raising special kinds of cattle like Santa Gertrudis cattle. Even though it's private land, the ranch often hosts public events and tours, so people can visit and explore its history and beauty.
A big part of the ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. The listed area includes many old buildings and features spread across 3,280 acres (13.3 km2). These buildings are grouped into four main areas, each with its own story.
Contents
Discovering Cherokee Ranch's History
The history of Cherokee Ranch involves different families and their dreams. The land was first settled by pioneers, and later, a wealthy woman brought her vision to life.
The First Settlers: John Blunt
One of the first people to settle on this land was John E. Blunt, who came from Maine. He was a former soldier who arrived in 1868 with his family from Kansas. They traveled in a covered wagon and even brought apple tree saplings with them!
John Blunt first settled along East Plum Creek. But the winters were very cold there. So, in 1873, they moved to higher ground. They built a wooden house where the ranch headquarters are today. An apple tree from their original saplings was still growing there in 1994!
Blunt bought more land from other settlers. His ranch, which he called Sunflower Ranch, grew to 1,550 acres (6.3 km2). He farmed wheat and sorghum and raised steers.
The Vision of Tweet Kimball
In 1954, John Blunt's family sold the ranch to Mildred Montague Genevieve Kimball. Everyone knew her as "Tweet" Kimball. She decided to rename the ranch Amnicola. This name came from her property in Chattanooga, Tennessee, located on the Tennessee River.
Tweet Kimball was a very interesting person. She was known as an "eccentric" (meaning a bit unusual and unique) world traveler. She loved horses, helped many charities, and was a very successful cattlewoman. She also loved to host parties and events. Tweet Kimball lived in Cherokee Castle for 55 years. She was married to Merritt Kirk Ruddock, who came from an important family.
Exploring Cherokee Castle
The ranch covers 4,185 acres (16.94 km2) of land. The historic part listed on the National Register is mostly north of U.S. Highway 85. This area includes four main historic building groups.
One of the most famous parts is Cherokee Castle. It was originally called Charlford Castle. This amazing building is a copy of a 15th-century Scottish castle! It was built between 1926 and 1928 and became the main home on the ranch. A famous architect from Denver, Burnham F. Hoyt, designed it. He also designed the well-known Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Other Historic Areas
- The Flower Homestead, also called Chickamauga, began with Frederick Gerald Flower. He was from England and started farming 12 acres of land. In 1894, he claimed his homestead. He built a stone house on a high plateau with amazing views of the Front Range mountains. His wife and sister moved in during 1895. His property was quite remote, accessed by a track that later became Daniels Park Road. Flower became successful and gathered 2,380 acres (9.6 km2) of land. He sold it to Charles Johnson in 1924.
- The Johnson ranch buildings are another important part of the ranch's history. One of these, the Wauhatchie Barn, which was part of the Johnson Dairy Farm, has recently been restored.
The historic listing covers the property north of U.S. Route 85 and south of Daniels Park Road.
