One of the joys of living in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming is the opportunity to get out and experience its beauty -- up close. One of the best ways to do that is by participating in monthly Moon Walks. To enlarge any of the photos in the gallery, simply click on the image.
This is part of the meadow that surrounds the Meeker Ranch homestead.
We were surprised by the huge turnout for this event; perhaps we shouldn't have been. Meeker Ranch has been in the news the past few years -- first for the partnership between the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Davis family, and the U.S. Forest Service.
A new partnership includes the Black Hills Historic Preservation Trust.
We were surprised by the huge turnout for this event; perhaps we shouldn't have been. Meeker Ranch has been in the news the past few years -- first for the partnership between the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Davis family, and the U.S. Forest Service.
A new partnership includes the Black Hills Historic Preservation Trust.
By the time Matt Padilla started the hikers down the road to the Meeker Ranch, the rains had stopped.
Nonetheless, we had to sidestep a few puddles and mudholes.
Nonetheless, we had to sidestep a few puddles and mudholes.
The Meeker ranch house was occuped until about 1952.
After that, it was used for storage and other purposes -- falling in to considerable disrepair.
The Black Hills Historic Preservation Trust is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service in helping to preserve the ranch. Skip Tillisch of Deerfield is president of the group.
Persons interested learning more about the Trust and possibly donating or volunteering should contact the Black Hills Historic Preservation Trust.
After that, it was used for storage and other purposes -- falling in to considerable disrepair.
The Black Hills Historic Preservation Trust is partnering with the U.S. Forest Service in helping to preserve the ranch. Skip Tillisch of Deerfield is president of the group.
Persons interested learning more about the Trust and possibly donating or volunteering should contact the Black Hills Historic Preservation Trust.
"Moon Walkers" gather around Ranger Padilla, who shares information about the origin and early years of the Meeker Ranch.
Following Padilla's briefing, participants were free to wander about the homestead; however, they were warned not to climb stairwells or attempt to explore second floors of structures, since they are still deemed unsafe.
Following Padilla's briefing, participants were free to wander about the homestead; however, they were warned not to climb stairwells or attempt to explore second floors of structures, since they are still deemed unsafe.
Patriarch of the Meeker Ranch family was Frank Cunningham Meeker, who once was a member of the famed Pony Express.
Meeker is said to have routinely ridden the 100-mile stretch from Custer to Hat Creek, Wyoming.
In this photo, Moon Walkers explore one of the many out buildings on the homestead.
Meeker is said to have routinely ridden the 100-mile stretch from Custer to Hat Creek, Wyoming.
In this photo, Moon Walkers explore one of the many out buildings on the homestead.
Padilla noted that the ranch has operated under three monikers over the years:
1) Willow Creek Ranch
2) Pinelands Ranch
3) Meeker Ranch
In this photograph, notice the rock structures at the far end of the meadow. You may see a larger version of this image by clicking on the photo.
1) Willow Creek Ranch
2) Pinelands Ranch
3) Meeker Ranch
In this photograph, notice the rock structures at the far end of the meadow. You may see a larger version of this image by clicking on the photo.
Padilla said that Frank Meeker's son, Eugene, grew up on the ranch and attended Custer High School -- often walkiing the two-mile route into town.
While Eugene worked on the farm, he also attended and graduated from Black Hills Normal School in Spearfish. He later studied engineering at the School of Mines in Rapid City and served as a state engineer for the State of South Dakota. He was also involved with Gutzom Borglund in constructing roads around Mount Rushmore.
While Eugene worked on the farm, he also attended and graduated from Black Hills Normal School in Spearfish. He later studied engineering at the School of Mines in Rapid City and served as a state engineer for the State of South Dakota. He was also involved with Gutzom Borglund in constructing roads around Mount Rushmore.
While it's one of the most enticing structures on the Meeker Ranch, the barn is -- interestingly enough -- not a particularly historic structure.
Padilla said the barn was designed by one George Goings in the 1970s and was probably built in the 1970s or 80s.
It's obvious there was an attempt to make the barn "fit" with the other structures on the Meeker Ranch.
Padilla said the barn was designed by one George Goings in the 1970s and was probably built in the 1970s or 80s.
It's obvious there was an attempt to make the barn "fit" with the other structures on the Meeker Ranch.
Jon Crane at work on the grounds of the Meeker Ranch.
We'd like to thank Jon for permission to use several images from his website, which you'll find at http://www.joncranewatercolors.com
We'd like to thank Jon for permission to use several images from his website, which you'll find at http://www.joncranewatercolors.com
Click on the photo to see a larger image.
The Meeker barn was a popular attraction for the Moon Walkers. It was one of several structures featured by artist Jon Crane in his Meeker Ranch depictions (see next photo).
The Meeker barn was a popular attraction for the Moon Walkers. It was one of several structures featured by artist Jon Crane in his Meeker Ranch depictions (see next photo).
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