Gang Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gang Ranch
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 Gang Ranch
Location in British Columbia
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
The Gang Ranch is a very large ranch in British Columbia, Canada. It's found about 28 miles (45 km) north of Clinton, right by the Fraser River. The ranch was started in 1863 near Alkali Lake. For a long time, it was the biggest ranch in North America. Today, it is the second-largest ranch in Canada, after the Douglas Lake Ranch. The Churn Creek Protected Area is also nearby.
Contents
The Start of Gang Ranch: Harper Brothers
Two brothers from America, Thaddeus and Jerome Harper, came to British Columbia during the Cariboo Gold Rush. They had traveled all the way from Virginia, through California. The brothers tried mining for gold in Yale and lived in Victoria for a while.
Finding a New Home
The Harpers didn't find much gold. In 1863, they settled on the west side of the Fraser River. They used a special plow called a "gang plow" to work the land. This is how the Gang Ranch got its name and began its long history.
Working with First Nations and Raising Cattle
The Harpers made an agreement with the Tsilhqotʼin people. They divided the land near the Chilcotin and Fraser rivers. The Harpers then started bringing cattle from places like Washington and Oregon. They would walk the cattle hundreds of miles north to feed the hungry gold miners. One time, they even brought cattle from Utah.
The brothers bought and sold land and animals, moving around a lot at first. The town of Horsefly was even first called "Harper's Camp." With the money they made from selling cattle, the Harpers made the Gang Ranch much bigger.
Challenges and Changes
The Harpers faced tough times. In 1878, a very cold winter caused thousands of their cattle to die. But they kept going. In 1883, they bought 8,900 acres (3,600 hectares) of land from the government. They also had land in other areas like Hat Creek and Kamloops. In total, they owned about 38,000 acres (15,000 hectares). Their business was called the Canadian Ranching Company. However, they ran into money problems and eventually sold the ranch in 1891 to a partner from England.
The Western Canadian Ranching Company Takes Over
The new owner was Thomas Galpin, who had helped start a famous publishing company. He had retired and was looking for new things to invest in. A few years later, in 1898, the ranch business was renamed the Western Canadian Ranching Company (WCRC). It kept this name until 1952.
Building and Growing the Ranch
Thomas Galpin's local helper was Jim Prentice. Jim later married one of Galpin's daughters. Jim Prentice also became an important politician, which helped the WCRC's standing.
A lot of work was needed to improve the ranch. They built fences for pastures, sawmills, bridges, bunkhouses for workers, and roads. They also had to manage thousands of cattle in rough areas, feeding them and rounding them up. With the help of the Chilcotin people, the ranch grew and did well. Many families, like the Gaspards and Kalalests, settled in the area.
End of English Ownership
The English owners kept the ranch for many decades. However, because the owners lived far away and the managers were paid salaries, the ranch wasn't always making a lot of money. It was also very hard work to develop a business in such a wild area. Then, the Great Depression and a market crash made things even harder. The English owners eventually sold the ranch. But they did bring English farming ideas and furniture to the main house on the ranch.
Images for kids
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A wide view of the Gang Ranch
