Fielding Garr Ranch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park
Ranch Established 1848 on Antelope Island
Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Location in Utah Show map of Utah Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Davis, Utah, United States
Elevation	4,350 ft (1,330 m)
Established	1848
Named for	Fielding Garr
Visitors	280351 (in 2010)
Governing body	Utah State Parks
Website	Antelope Island State Park

The Fielding Garr Ranch is a historic ranch found on the southeast side of Antelope Island State Park. This island is located in the Great Salt Lake in Utah, United States. The ranch is part of the Utah State Parks system. A small part of the original ranch, about 6.2 acres, is recognized as a special historic place on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Fielding Garr Ranch is located near Garr Springs. This spring is one of the strongest and most reliable springs on Antelope Island. The ranch is one of the oldest working ranches in the Western United States. It was first started in 1848. This was just one year after the first Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley.

Fielding Garr, a man with nine children, was sent to the island. He was asked to set up a ranch to manage the church's herds of cattle and sheep. The very first building was an adobe house built in 1848. It is still standing today. This makes it the oldest building in Utah that is still on its original foundation. The adobe ranch house was lived in continuously until 1981. That's when the State of Utah got ready to make Antelope Island a state park. Other people tried to live on the island at different times. However, the tough conditions, being isolated, and not having enough fresh water made it very hard.

The ranch stayed under the control of the church until 1870. Then, a man named John Dooley bought it. Dooley lived on the island and created the Island Improvement Company. This company focused on raising cattle and sheep. At one point, the island had 10,000 sheep. It was one of the biggest sheep ranches in the United States. In 1893, John Dooley bought 17 American bison and brought them to the island. Bison were almost gone from most of their natural areas. He hoped that having them would make his ranch more valuable. People could pay to hunt them.

Ranching continued until 1981. That's when Antelope Island State Park was created. The cattle and sheep were moved off the island. The park was made to protect the wildlife. It also allowed visitors to enjoy the views, camp, boat, and visit the beaches of the Great Salt Lake.

Finding the Ranch: Your Island Adventure

Map of Antelope Island

The ranch is located on the southeast part of Antelope Island. To get there, follow I-15 to Syracuse, Utah. Syracuse is about 25 miles north of Salt Lake City. Take the Syracuse exit from I-15 (Exit 332). Then, drive straight west for 7 miles on Utah State Road 108 (Antelope Drive). This road leads to the Antelope Island State Park entrance booth.

Continue straight along the causeway for 6 miles to reach the island. Once on the island, take the left fork in the road. This turn will lead you south. In less than half a mile, at the second turn, bear left again. Travel south along this road for about 11 miles to reach the ranch. There is a gate that controls the southern part of the road. This gate and the ranch are open daily during the summer. They close a bit earlier each day during the winter months.

A Glimpse into History: The Ranch as a Historic Site

The Fielding Garr Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This listing included four important buildings and one structure. These are all located on the 6.2-acre historic part of the ranch.

The main ranch house was originally a double pen adobe building. Later, more parts were added to it. Other buildings on the ranch include a milk house, a blacksmith shop, and a spring house. There is also a rock stable structure. These buildings help visitors imagine what life was like long ago.

Fun Things to Do at Fielding Garr Ranch

The Fielding Garr Ranch is part of Antelope Island State Park. Antelope Island is famous for its beautiful scenery. Especially in the northwest part of the island, at Buffalo Point and White Rock Bay. Here, mountains and hills look over beaches. You can also see the sparkling waters of the Great Salt Lake. Other islands are visible in the lake too.

A balloon festival happens every year around Labor Day. Birdwatching on Antelope Island is very popular. Many people enjoy trail running on the island. Several trail running races are held there each year. These races cover distances like 25 kilometers, 50 kilometers, 50 miles, and 100 miles. Hiking and cycling are also popular activities. However, water is hard to find, and there are few trees on the island. The island is very dry and can get super hot in the summer. Fresh water is not easily found, but there are a few natural springs. Most of these are in the mountains and near the south end of the island, close to the ranch.

Water and restrooms are available in the visitor areas. There is also a gift shop and a small fast-food restaurant. This is on the northern end of the island at Buffalo Point. It is open during the main visitor season. Public beaches, a marina, and places to camp overnight are also on the northern part of the island.

Watching wildlife is another popular activity on Antelope Island. You can see large numbers of bison that are part of the Antelope Island bison herd. Coyotes and pronghorn are sometimes seen near the main roads and campsites. Bison often walk across the roads. However, most bison are found towards the south end of the island, near the Fielding Garr Ranch.

You can take tours of the historic Fielding Garr Ranch and the areas around it. The buildings you can see include the adobe ranch house, a silo, a bunkhouse, stables, a springhouse, and a blacksmith shop. The Fielding Garr Ranch is a demonstration ranch. This means visitors can get an idea of what life was like for the people who lived there in the past. The ranch area is one of the best places on the island for birdwatching. Hiking and photography are also common activities. You can even go horseback riding. Horses can be rented by the hour at the ranch.

Island Life: Habitat and Wildlife

Antelope Island is mostly covered in dry grassland. The eastern side of the island has a grassy plain or prairie habitat. This stretches from the eastern shoreline to the mountains in the middle of the island. There are few trees and little fresh water on the island. However, there are a few small springs. These springs are sometimes not very consistent, especially near the Fielding Garr Ranch.

The trees around the ranch, a small stream and pond, and a large marsh area create a special safe place for birds. This area is along the east shore of the 15-mile-long island. The island itself is covered in sagebrush and grasslands.

About 250 different kinds of birds have been seen on Antelope Island. Many of these birds are found near the Fielding Garr Ranch. Some of these birds include the northern waterthrush, American redstart, other warblers, vireos, great horned owls, long-eared owl, hermit thrush, Townsend's solitaire, loggerhead shrike (in winter), varied thrush, and northern shrike.

The Antelope Island bison herd is a group of 500 to 700 American bison. They still live on the island. This herd is partly managed from the Fielding Garr Ranch. The bison can wander all over the island. But most of them tend to stay near the ranch. This is because the habitat there is excellent for them. Also, more natural springs are found in that part of the island. Other large animals you might see nearby include coyotes, pronghorn, big horn sheep, and mule deer.

Images for kids

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  A herd of bison on Antelope Island

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  Bison near a freshwater spring on Antelope Island

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  Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island

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  Antelope Island State Park Ranch

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  Jack rabbit in Antelope Island State Park

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  Bison pair

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  Coyote

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  Mule deer

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  Bighorn sheep

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  Pronghorn

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  Juvenile bald eagle

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  Circus hudsonius (northern harrier) male, on Antelope Island

See also