National Register of Historic Places

Boswell, N. K., Ranch

Woods Landing, Albany County, Wyoming
Listed
July 20, 1977
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
77001381

About this property

The N.K. Boswell Ranch is one of the oldest ranches on the edge of the Laramie Plains along the Big Laramie River in Albany County, Wyoming, USA. The ranch was established in the early 1870s, possibly by a man named C.T. Waldron. The ranch is significant for its association with Nathaniel K. Boswell, who was Albany County Sheriff at a time when the county extended from Colorado to Montana. 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. 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. 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)

Location

Woods Landing, Albany County, Wyoming
41.01334, -106.02877

Categories

COMMERCEAGRICULTURETRANSPORTATIONEXPLORATION/SETTLEMENTLAWPOLITICS/GOVERNMENTARCHITECTURECOMMUNICATIONS
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.

Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Boswell, N. K., Ranch

This page lists Boswell, N. K., Ranch. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Boswell, N. K., Ranch report
Or see a real report first

Nearby Historic Sites

Jelm-Frank Smith Ranch Historic District
Listed
3.4 mi
Woods Landing Dance Hall
Civil War
6.8 mi
Keystone Work Center
Industrial
15.8 mi
Flying Horseshoe Ranch
Industrial
18.3 mi
Vee Bar Ranch Lodge
Industrial
19.6 mi

Questions about this property

When was Boswell, N. K., Ranch listed on the National Register?

Boswell, N. K., Ranch was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 20, 1977.

What type of historic resource is Boswell, N. K., Ranch?

Boswell, N. K., Ranch is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Boswell, N. K., Ranch?

The period of significance for Boswell, N. K., Ranch is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Boswell, N. K., Ranch?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Boswell, N. K., Ranch will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

More in Albany County

Historic places, battles, and census history across Albany County.

Explore AlbanyCounty ›

More historic places in Wyoming

Browse all historic places in Wyoming.

View Wyominghistoric sites ›

Conflict records

Explore 19,000+ military engagements across American history.

Browse US conflicts ›

Wyoming history

Colonial settlement, territorial period, and statehood narrative.

Wyominghistory ›

Research the history near this site

An Aubrey US report for an address near Boswell, N. K., Ranch will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.

Research your locationView a free sample report