National Register of Historic Places

Big Red Ranch Complex

Ucross, Sheridan County, Wyoming
Listed
October 10, 1984
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
84000437

About this property

The Big Red Ranch Complex is an historic ranch located off U.S. Routes 14 and 16 in Ucross, Wyoming. The ranch was built circa 1882 by the Pratt & Ferris Cattle Company and was one of three large ranches operated by the company in the region. The ranch acquired its name because all of its main buildings were painted red; at the time, most ranches lacked permanent buildings entirely, much less painted ones. Pratt & Ferris became one of the most successful cattle ranching companies in the area by the end of the decade, as they bought out most other local ranches and even established a post office at the Big Red Ranch. In the 1890s, the ranch largely converted to raising sheep. In 1906, company owner Joseph Leiter turned the ranch into an irrigated farm; in the following years, the ranch briefly reverted to cattle ranching before Leiter leased it to sugar beet farmers. Leiter ultimately sold the ranch in 1949. The ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 11, 1984.

Location

Ucross, Sheridan County, Wyoming
44.56477, -106.52771

Categories

AGRICULTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Nearby Historic Sites

Clearmont Jail
Industrial
8.9 mi
Fort Phil Kearny and Associated Sites
Civil War
14.5 mi
EDL Peloux Bridge
Industrial
15.3 mi
Blue Gables Motel
Industrial
16.8 mi
Holland House
Industrial
17 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle at Dry Fork of the Powder River 1866
1866Indian Wars
4.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Big Red Ranch Complex listed on the National Register?

Big Red Ranch Complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 10, 1984.

What type of historic resource is Big Red Ranch Complex?

Big Red Ranch Complex is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Big Red Ranch Complex?

The period of significance for Big Red Ranch Complex is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Big Red Ranch Complex?

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