D. H. Lawrence Ranch facts for kids
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D. H. Lawrence Ranch Historic District
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Interior of the Lawrence Memorial, with the stone containing the initials D.H.L.
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 Location in New Mexico
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| Nearest city | San Cristobal, New Mexico |
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| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | John Craig; et al. |
| Architectural style | Log cabins |
| NRHP reference No. | 03001410 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 15, 2004 |
The D. H. Lawrence Ranch is a special place in New Mexico. It was once the home of a famous English writer named D. H. Lawrence and his wife, Frieda. They lived there for about two years in the 1920s. This ranch was the only property they ever owned together.
The ranch covers about 160 acres and was first called the Kiowa Ranch. It is located about 18 miles northwest of Taos, New Mexico, close to Lobo Mountain and San Cristobal. The ranch sits high up, about 8,600 feet above sea level. You can find the ranch gate about 4.2 miles from a historic marker on state route NM 522.
Before the Lawrences owned it, the ranch had been used by homesteaders, and some buildings were already there from the 1890s. A wealthy woman named Mabel Dodge Luhan briefly owned the ranch. In 1924, she gave it to Frieda Lawrence. D. H. Lawrence himself didn't want to accept it as a gift.
The ranch became the Lawrences' summer home. After D. H. Lawrence passed away, Frieda lived there until she died in 1956. She then left the ranch to the University of New Mexico. Today, the ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties. It was closed for repairs for several years but reopened to visitors in March 2015.
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D. H. Lawrence's Time in New Mexico
D. H. Lawrence and his wife, Frieda, first came to Taos, New Mexico, in September 1922. They were invited by Mabel Dodge Sterne, who was a rich host and supporter of the arts. Mabel later married a Native American man from Taos Pueblo named Tony Lujan, becoming Mabel Dodge Luhan.
The Lawrences had some disagreements with Mabel and Tony. They moved around to different guest houses. In March 1923, Lawrence and Frieda traveled to Mexico. Frieda then went back to Europe, and Lawrence returned to England later that year.
In November 1923, Lawrence tried to get friends to return to Taos with him. Only one person, Dorothy Brett, an artist, agreed to come. Lawrence, Frieda, and Dorothy Brett arrived back in Taos in March 1924. They were again guests of Mabel. More tensions arose, and Mabel suggested giving Lawrence the Kiowa Ranch to encourage him to stay in New Mexico.
Lawrence refused the gift, saying they couldn't accept such a present. However, Frieda accepted it. She told Lawrence they would give Mabel the handwritten copy of one of his famous novels, Sons and Lovers. The ranch's ownership was then put in Frieda's name.
Life at the Ranch
Even though the couple spent a relatively short time at the ranch, it was the only property they ever owned. It became a peaceful place for them to relax. During five months in the summer of 1924, Lawrence wrote much of his novel St Mawr there. He also started working on The Plumed Serpent. The famous writer Aldous Huxley even visited the Lawrences at the ranch.
By October 1924, Lawrence and Frieda left for Mexico. While they were in Oaxaca, Lawrence became unwell. The couple returned to the U.S., and by April 1925, they were back at the ranch for the summer. Lawrence continued working on The Plumed Serpent.
Lawrence's health improved, but their six-month visa was ending. He decided to return to Europe. They left Taos on September 11, which was Lawrence's 40th birthday. They settled in Italy. Lawrence never returned to New Mexico, but he did express interest in coming back in a letter from France in December 1929.
D. H. Lawrence passed away in France on March 2, 1930. He was first buried near Vence. In 1935, Frieda asked for his remains to be brought back to the ranch. His ashes were brought by Angelo Ravagli, who later became Frieda's third husband. The plan was to bury his ashes at the ranch.
The Lawrence Memorial
After Lawrence's death, Frieda returned to the ranch. She lived there with Angelo Ravagli. In 1934, Ravagli built a white building, about 12 feet by 15 feet, which is now known as the Memorial.
There is some discussion about what exactly happened to Lawrence's ashes after he was cremated. However, most people agree that they were brought to New Mexico. They were then mixed with concrete to form part of a large memorial stone. This stone was placed inside the small building on the ranch, which is now called the Lawrence Memorial.
When Frieda died in Taos in 1956, she was buried on the ranch property. She left the ranch to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. The university now owns and manages the ranch. Frieda's grave is located just outside the Memorial building.
Visitors can sign a guest book at the Memorial. This book lets people see who has visited and where they came from. For example, in Spring 1979, the famous English writer "Iris Murdoch, Oxford, England" signed the book.
The University of New Mexico (UNM) created the D. H. Lawrence Ranch Initiatives in late 2014. Their goal is to keep the history of D. H. Lawrence and Frieda Lawrence alive. This program aims to make sure the ranch has enough money to operate. It also works to fix up and develop the site. This way, the ranch can be used for learning, cultural events, and research for students, teachers, and the community in New Mexico. This mission follows Frieda Lawrence's wishes in her will. She wanted the property to be used for "educational, cultural, charitable, and recreational purposes."
Rananim is an online writing community connected to the D. H. Lawrence Ranch Initiatives. It started offering online workshops in October 2014 to help people learn about the ranch. The money earned from these workshops helps with the ranch's repairs and promotion. "Rananim" was the name of a dream community Lawrence wanted to create with other writers and artists.
Other Features at the Ranch
Ranch Dwellings
When Lawrence, Frieda, and Dorothy Brett moved to the ranch in May 1924, there were "two dwellings and a small barn" already there. The Lawrences chose to live in the largest one, called "The Homesteader's Cabin." Lady Brett stayed in the smaller, one-room cabin, which visitors can still see today. Neither log cabin was in good condition, so they needed repairs in the first few months they lived there.
The Lawrence Tree
A very large pine tree, known as the Lawrence Tree, is a striking feature outside the main house. D. H. Lawrence often worked at a small table at the base of this tree. He wrote about how much he loved it:
The big pine tree in front of the house, standing still and unconcerned and alive ... the overshadowing tree whose green top one never looks at ... One goes out of the door and the tree-trunk is there, like a guardian angel. The tree-trunk, the long work table and the fence!
In the summer of 1929, the artist Georgia O'Keeffe visited the Lawrence Ranch. This visit inspired her painting The Lawrence Tree. She created the painting from an unusual view, lying on a long bench and looking up into the branches of the tree.
See also
