Park Origin and History:
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.
Early Ranch 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 stealing 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."
Sandstone Ranch - Wilson Era
In 1876, former Fort Mohave-based Sergeant James B. Wilson and his partner George Anderson, filed on the property, which they named the Sand Stone Ranch. Wilson remained until his death in 1906 while Anderson left in the early 1880's and never returned. Anderson's two half-Paiute boys remained on the ranch, whom Wilson raised. The two boys, Jim Wilson, Jr. and Tweed, his half brother, inherited the ranch in 1906 after Jim Wilson, Sr. died. They operated the cattle ranch together for many years, but after mortgaging it in 1919 they were unable to pay off the debt.
Sandstone Ranch - George Era
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 Wilsons. 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.
Bar Nothing 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."
Spring Mountain Ranch
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.
Historical Sites at the park include the Main Ranch House; Wilson Cemetery, Sandstone Cabin; Board and Batten bunkhouse; Blacksmith's Shop, Hay and Horse Barn/Corral, Two-Hole Outhouse, Chinchilla Shed and many more.
Natural Resources
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.
Location and Climate:
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is located 15 miles west of Las Vegas, via Charleston Blvd., in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
At 3,800 feet, the ranch is usually 10-15 degrees cooler than the Las Vegas Valley. Temperatures range from below freezing to above 100 degrees, and winds gusting down Sandstone Canyon are not uncommon. The summer season usuallly
brings a few thunderstorms and flash floods. Winters are cold, with occasional snow showers.
Facilities and Visitor Services
Visitor Information and Tours: The main ranch house is open daily from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Here the visitor will find information about the ranch and surrounding areas, and can take a self-guided tour of the ranch house interior. Park Docents are on duty to answer questions.
Guided tours throughout the historic area are given on weekdays at 12 p.m., 1 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. and weekends at 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. For more information please write to us or call the park office
at (702) 875-4141.
Entrance Fee: An entrance fee is charged to enter the park. Click here for all individual park fees by region.
Picnicking: The picnic area is open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk.
Group Use Area: A group use area, with accommodations for up to 300 persons, is available by reservation only.
Living History Programs:
Living history programs bring the past back to life for a brief moment, giving visitors an opportunity to view life at the ranch as it might
have been. These programs, which began in 1992, include costumed role playing, demonstrations and re-enactments of historic events. Each spring and fall a series of living history programs are presented depicting the lives of early settlers such as Old Bill Williams, Jim Wilson, Olive Lake and other prominent Las Vegas pioneers. Programs are presented in the first person as seen
through the eyes of the character, or are narrated descriptions of events in the lives of early pioneers. Demonstrations of pioneering skills are also presented, and visitors are encouraged to participate.
Park Service Organizations:
Spring Mountain Ranch Docents: The Spring Mountain Ranch Docents is a volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to interpreting the cultural and natural history of the park. The association provides staffing services and guided tours, as well as in-kind and financial support for programs and historic building improvements.
Super Summer Theater: The Super Summer Theater sponsors the annual outdoor performances in June, July, and August. The "Theater under the Stars" features musicals and plays for the whole family.
Reminders:
It takes centuries for nature to restore
a desert area to it's original condition once the soil and vegetation have been disturbed.
For this reason, for your enjoyment, and for the comfort and safety of others, please observe
the following guidelines:
- Drive your vehicle only on established roadways and park only in designated places.
- Pets must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length.
- Pets are not allowed in the visitor center or on the trails.
- Everything in the park is protected. All plants, animals, birds, reptiles, rocks, and
minerals are protected by state law.
- Please dispose of litter properly. Use the trash cans provided throughout the park.
- Obey all signs; observe closed areas.
- Please do not climb trees. Trees in the picnic area are over 400 years old and are a historic part of the park.
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