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Nearby Parks:
Mount Charleston National Recreation Trail
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Spring Mountain Ranch is located within the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, beneath the colorful cliffs of the magnificent Wilson Range. The many springs in these mountains provided water for Paiute Indians and later brought mountain men and early settlers to the area. This 520 acre oasis was developed into a combination working ranch and luxurious retreat by a string of owners who have given the area a long and colorful history. Past owners of the ranch included Chester Lauck of the comedy team "Lum & Abner," German actress Vera Krupp, and millionaire Howard Hughes. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Because of the higher elevation, the ranch offers a diverse opportunity for plant study. Four plant communities are represented: Desert Scrub, Black brush, Pinon-Juniper, and Riparian. Plants typical of the desert as well as woodland can be seen, and with adequate rainfall the spring brings a burst of wildflowers. Common species sighted are desert marigold, globe mallow, brittlebush, Joshua Tree, Mohave Yucca, and indigo bush.
Animal life is diverse but nocturnal, so many species go unseen. Typical desert animals include a variety of lizards and snakes, antelope ground squirrels, jackrabbits, cotton tails, kit fox, and coyote. Higher elevation species include rock squirrel, badger, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. |
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| History of the Area: |
| At the base of the magnificent Wilson Cliffs lies Spring Mountain Ranch. This 520-acre oasis was developed into a combination working ranch and luxurious retreat by a string of owners who have given the area a long and colorful history.
In the mid-1830's a campsite was established along the wash that runs through the ranch. The spring-fed creek and grassy meadows formed a welcome oasis for travelers using this alternate route of the Spanish Trail through Cottonwood Valley. The use of the site by pack and wagon trains continued until their replacement by the railroad in 1905. This remote trail was also used extensively by outlaws involved in Indian slave trading, horse steeling and raids upon passing caravans. In 1840, a group of American mountain men and Ute Indians conducted a famous raid on the Mexican Ranchos in California. Mountain Man Bill Williams, a member of the raiding party, brought his band of horses through Red Rock Canyon where he rested the horses from the hard trip across the desert. Apparently he revisited the area several times and for many years afterwards the site of Spring Mountain Ranch was known as the "Old Bill Williams Ranch."
Wilson family friend, Willard George, acquired the ranch in 1929 by paying off the outstanding debt incurred by Jim Jr. and Tweed. George was largely an absentee owner, leaving the ranch operation to the Wilson's. During 1941-43 the George family lived on the ranch. George was a prominent furrier in Hollywood, and during this time he raised chinchillas in addition to the cattle operation. George gave Jim Jr. and Tweed a life estate to the old cabins, which lasted until Tweed's death in 1959. Three generations of Wilson men are buried in a small family plot on the ranch.
In 1944, the ranch was leased to Chet Lauck (Lum of the "Lum and Abner" radio show). In 1948 Lauck picked up his option to buy the property and began construction of the main ranch house. Lauck's Bar Nothing Ranch was a vacation retreat for his family. He opened a boy's camp on the property and continued the cattle operation. Lauck also built a large reservoir and named it "Lake Harriet", after his wife. A water-powered generating system was installed and dubbed "Boulder Dam, Jr."
In 1955 German movie actress Vera Krupp purchased the ranch from Chet Lauck. Krupp was the longest residing owner. She expanded the business of ranching by raising a large herd of a hybrid strain of white-faced Hereford and Brahma. She added a swimming pool and expanded the west wing of the main house. Krupp renamed the property Spring Mountain Ranch, and it was her principal residence until 1967. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Nevada Division of State Parks - Spring Mountain Ranch State Park - Nevada Division of State Parks plans, develops and maintains a system of parks and recreation areas ... Spring Mountain Ranch State Park P.O. Box 124 Blue Diamond, NV 89004 (702) 875-4141 Spring ... | | Nevada Division of State Parks - Photo Gallery - Nevada Division of State Parks Photo Gallery Spring Mountain Ranch State Park Valley of Fire State Park Spring Mountain Ranch State Park: The Park is located within the Red Rock Canyon National ... | | Spring Mountain Ranch State Park - Spring Mountain Ranch State Park Blue Diamond, Nevada Street Address: North of Blue Diamond on State Route 159 Blue Diamond, NV Mailing Address: Blue Diamond, NV Contact: Phone: (702) 875-4141 ... | | Las Vegas : Intermind Corporation : Welcome :Las Vegas : Nevada - ... the loop by exiting south onto Highway 159 (Charleston Blvd.) and go 3 miles to Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. This lush piece of property became a ranch in the 1860s, and it was designated a ... | | http://www.supersummertheatre.com/ - ... productions to the people of Southern Nevada. The outdoor theatre is located in Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, in beautiful Redrock Canyon, just 18 miles west of Las Vegas. Shows run only in ... | | Nevada Places To Go - DesertUSA - Lots of links to Nevada's's Desert National Parks, State Parks, Recreation & Wilderness Areas ... Park Kershaw-Ryan State Park Spring Mountain Ranch State Park Valley of Fire State Park Washoe Lake ... | | Las Vegas, Nevada - DesertUSA - Comprehensive guide to Las Vegas, gateway to Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Includes color ... Historic Park (within the city) Spring Mountain Ranch State Park Floyd Lamb State Park Zion ... | | ElSurfo - Things To Do - Nevada - ... State Park Nevada State Parks Red Rock Canyon South Fork State Recreation Area Spring Mountain Ranch State Park Spring Valley State Park Valley of Fire State Park Walker Lake State Recreation Area ... |
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