N.K. Boswell Ranch
Description
The ranch lies in a valley on the east side of the Medicine Bow Mountains, with 1,768 acres (715 ha) of deeded land and 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of leased land. The historical portion of the ranch headquarters comprises a 1+1⁄2-story log ranch house, a log shed, three log cabins, two wood-frame sheds and a series of log corrals. The ranch house dates to about 1873, and one log cabin is dated to 1894.. Across the access road are a series of log and frame ranch buildings, including barns, a bunkhouse, a workshop, several sheds and two privies.
History
Established in the 1870s by an obscure series of settlers, the ranch is a representative example of a moderate-sized working ranch. It was also a stopping point on the North Park-Laramie Plains Road. In 1886 Nathaniel K. Boswell acquired a part-interest in the ranch. Boswell was a prominent citizen in southeastern Wyoming during the late 19th century. Boswell, originally from New Hampshire, was established in Cheyenne by 1867, and in 1868 he is described as working in law enforcement in an "unofficial capacity." His activities on a vigilance committee led to more formal employment, and he became Albany County Sheriff in 1869. Bowell also acted as a private detective, and in 1873 was the first warden of the Wyoming Territorial Penitentiary. In 1903 Boswell rode over the Laramie Mountains with Theodore Roosevelt. He was also a friend of writer Bill Nye. Boswell died in 1921. The ranch changed hands several times after his death.
The N.K. Bowell Ranch was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 21, 1977.
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ Junge, Mark (October 22, 1976). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: N.K. Boswell Ranch". National Park Service. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
External links
- N.K.Boswell Ranch at the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office
- N. K. Boswell Ranch, State Highway 10, Woods Landing vicinity, Albany, WY at the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)