N.K. Boswell Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
N. K. Boswell Ranch
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Woods Landing, Wyoming |
|---|---|
| Area | 1,768 acres (715 ha) |
| Architectural style | Log Cabin style |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001381 |
| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1977 |
The N.K. Boswell Ranch is a very old ranch located near the Big Laramie River in Albany County, Wyoming, USA. A ranch is a large area of land used for raising animals like cattle or horses. This ranch started in the early 1870s, possibly by someone named C.T. Waldron. The ranch is important because it was connected to Nathaniel K. Boswell. He was the Sheriff of Albany County when the county was huge, stretching all the way from Colorado to Montana!
Contents
What Does the Ranch Look Like?
The N.K. Boswell Ranch is in a valley on the east side of the Medicine Bow Mountains. It covers about 1,768 acres of land that the owners bought, plus another 3,000 acres they rented.
Buildings at the Ranch
The main part of the ranch has several old buildings. These include:
- A 1-1/2 story log ranch house, built around 1873.
- A log shed.
- Three log cabins, with one built in 1894.
- Two wooden sheds.
- Many log corrals, which are pens for animals.
Across the main road, there are more ranch buildings. These include barns, a bunkhouse (where workers slept), a workshop, and other sheds.
The Ranch's History
The N.K. Boswell Ranch began in the 1870s with different settlers. It shows what a medium-sized working ranch was like back then. It was also a useful stop for travelers on the North Park-Laramie Plains Road.
Nathaniel K. Boswell's Connection
In 1886, Nathaniel K. Boswell bought part of the ranch. Boswell was a well-known person in southeastern Wyoming in the late 1800s. He came from New Hampshire and was living in Cheyenne by 1867.
In 1868, he started working in law enforcement, helping to keep the peace. His work on a special group that helped enforce laws led him to a more official job. He became the Sheriff of Albany County in 1869. A sheriff is a top law enforcement officer in a county.
Boswell also worked as a private detective. In 1873, he became the first warden of the Wyoming Territorial Penitentiary. A warden is in charge of a prison. In 1903, Boswell even rode horses over the Laramie Mountains with Theodore Roosevelt, who later became a U.S. President! He was also friends with a famous writer named Bill Nye. Nathaniel Boswell passed away in 1921. After he died, the ranch was owned by several different people over the years.
A Historic Landmark
The N.K. Boswell Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 21, 1977. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
