Should This Ranch Be Burned?
Few Westerners have done more to promote the beauty of the Black Hills than artist Jon Crane. His landscapes of rural mountain scenes hang in offices and living rooms across the USA. His paintings give meaning and confirmation to places that might otherwise be out of sight, out of mind."So many of those places have disappeared in recent years," Crane told me today, and one in particular is in dire danger. The U.S. Forest Service recently acquired the Meeker Ranch, a historic old place that borders the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve near Custer. Forest Service officials apparently fail to see the value of the old buildings, and they may burn them to the ground yet this winter.
Crane says he recently hiked up to the ranch to take a set of pictures for a painting. "We were totally blown away by what we found," he said. "Sitting on top of a little rise in this pristine valley was the most beautiful ranch that I have ever seen. It is my idea of the classic Black Hills ranch ... I have not been this excited about a painting subject since I found the farm that was the inspiration for my Heartland Series in 1985."
Crane says the issue with the Forest Service seems to be about safety and money; it sees the buildings as a potential hazard, and there are no funds to maintain them. He says he'll help raise funds by painting a picture of the ranch and donating much of the proceeds to the ranch. South Dakota Magazine will also be happy to advertise the project at no cost.
If you agree with Jon that the buildings should be preserved, call the Forest Service at (605) 673-4853 or 673-9200 and ask our public officials to give the Cranes and others time to help them preserve the place. We'll do a larger article on this in our March/April issue, but we thought we should let you know now .... because maybe you can prevent these century-old barns from becoming ashes.
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Certainly the Forest Service people could use a few storage sheds for their supplies, etc? Why tear these down, and then build something new later? If they are the conservationists they claim to be, don’t tear down a fixable structure. Thanks to Jon Crane for what he’s doing.
Comment by Charlie — December 26, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
If they can’t take care of the buildings, sell a few acres to somebody who will.
Comment by JK — December 26, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
That is a beautiful farm that deserves to be saved - hopefully with Jon Crane and your help it will be! I’ll do my part by calling the forest service.
Comment by Susan — December 26, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
A few years ago a wonderful little historic gas station was torn down here to be replaced by one of many “generic quick stop gas stations.” After the last brick fell, there was much hue and cry over the fact that no one had stopped the demolition. The fact is, we all need to be part of stopping the demolition. If we want this beautiful ranch to be preserved we all need to step forward and let the Forest Service know that we think they should seek another option. Once the buildings are gone, they’re gone forever.
Comment by Marguerite — December 26, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
Gee it seems there must be a way to keep the ranch. It seems we are always so quick to tear things down that is part of our History!
Comment by KA — December 26, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
I would just say…PLEASE don’t destroy another piece of Black Hills History….Please preserve this beautiful part of the Black Hills…
Please…. GP
Comment by gp — December 26, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
Grant Peterson’s radio program, the Great Dakota Smorgasbord (910 AM), will be talking to Jon Crane and to Bernie about this at 4:30 p.m. today (Thursday), and if you are not within radio range you can get the program via your computer at www.brookingsradio.com.
Comment by South Dakota Magazine — December 27, 2007 @ 8:27 am
I just got off the phone with Kay Shellnutt from the US Forest Service in Custer.
I believe this web site and this article are being forwarded to others in US Forestry Service….
If you would like, I hope you’ll make comments on
this web site….I feel it’ll be read by many in authority.
The head archeologist is Doneta Carlson also at the Hell Canyon Dist. office in Custer.
Please make your voice heard….as I have been told, many of the buildings are scheduled to be burned.
Grant
Comment by gp — December 27, 2007 @ 10:35 am
Hell no it shouldn’t be burned. It sounds like the Forest Service just needs a little imagination. They couldn’t build a barn like that for a million dollars and have the same historic look and atmosphere. Use it for a storage barn, or better yet put a few dollars in it and lease it to someone for a horse stable, or a winery or coffee shop for travelers. Come on folks, these types of things are prized in other parts of the country. Wake up.
Comment by Andy Anderson — December 27, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Surely a solution to this tragic story is at hand and we will support the endeavor to preserve this incredible scene. We, here in New Orleans, know of the loss to historic property at the hands of “man.” Please don’t let this be the case in South Dakota as well.
Comment by Jere — December 27, 2007 @ 11:02 am
I know that in Europe no historic/old buildings would ever be torn down - especially by the government. Although personal landowners also value historic property and I have seen old barns and buildings preserved right in the middle of a field before, and farmers labor around it. I wish people in my home state would start to recognize our own worth and the worth of our land and buildings like those people do in Europe.
Comment by Becky — December 27, 2007 @ 11:58 am
The Meeker Ranch is a one-of-a-kind historic treasure that definitely needs to be preserved for the people of South Dakota. We appeal to the Forest Service to not burn our heritage. It could be a contributing tool to our state’s tourism and our governor’s 2010 initiative. The federal government needs to be sensitive to what is valuable to South Dakotans!
Comment by Linda Kluthe — December 27, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
The Meeker Ranch is a few miles east of Custer. For the specific spot, you can find the Meeker Ranch on Google Earth by typing N43.804 W103.5555 into the fly to menu.
Comment by Anonymous — December 27, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
The “magic” of the Black Hills has lured us to holiday there many times since 1986. The Hills are “Outback Australia” with the added advantage of hills, trees and snow. These historic buildings must be save for future generations of locals and visitors to enjoy. We are coming back to continue enjoying them…please make sure they are still there!!!!
Comment by Trevor Pedler Perth Western Australia — December 27, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
I was born and raised in Virginia. My mother used to pile me and my brothers into the car often to make sure we got to “see” history - how people lived and how they built their buildings, etc. She was also a very good artist and she would take pictures of beautiful areas that we visited. The point is this: Do not burn the Meeker Ranch structures. Find a way, please Forest Service, to allow the public to enjoy and learn from this ranch. You cannot put a value on those experiences.
Comment by Anonymous — December 28, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
This is an outrage that our heritage is being burned - literally burned - by our federal government.
Since this is a Federal issue, all are encouraged to contact our Senator Thune at 1-866-850-3855, Senator Stephanie Herseth Sandlin at 202 225-2801 or Representative Tim Johnson at 202 224-5842.
Comment by Jay Nelson — December 28, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
Thanks Jay! You are 100% right! DO contact Thune and Herseth and Johnson. Contact them all! Have others contact them as well.
Can someone place the ranch on a National Historic Register? Boy, imagine if our government actually had to deal with our government and their rules and regulations for historic places…
Comment by Randee — December 28, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Sounds like another of those “great government ideas.” Get a little visionary people. We need to save a bit of our past so our grandkids can see how things were. Don’t destroy a “keepsake.”
Comment by Jim Christophersen — December 28, 2007 @ 5:17 pm
Although I live in Custer County, I had not heard of this transaction and unfortunately am not familiar with its history. How did this land become the property of the forest service? And what is its value other than the picturesque location?
It seems that we are often too eager to denounce the forest service or its policies. I don’t think they operate with the callous disregard of history that they seem to be accused of here. I can certainly see the difficulties with protecting and preserving buildings in a remote location. If neglected, these apparently wood structures soon succumb to vandals and time. The forest service may have good reasons to justify their action, but they certainly are not immune to public sentiment.
I agree with Crane, it is sad to see such buildings disappear from the Hills and elsewhere. Usually in the Hills to build a monument to greed. Take a look at the hills above and around Keystone for example.
It’s unfortunate that there was not an outcry when our former governor enlisted the National Guard to roam the state tearing down older buildings. Why not outrage as four wheelers muddy the ditches along our highways and into our forests while garish signs obliterate our views.
Comment by Leonard — December 28, 2007 @ 7:05 pm
We know we can’t save everything, but buring this location would be regrettable. Thanks to Jon Crane for bringing this to our attention
Comment by blueeyes — December 29, 2007 @ 9:16 am
What a wonderful looking ranch - just the kind of place I’d love to live in. I will definitely speak up about saving this beautiful place. Seems like there would be some nice family who would love to live there and take care of it.
Comment by MaryH — December 30, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
Seems that such a great piece of property and history needs preservation not conflagration! It can never be rebuilt but can be refurbished!
Comment by Susan VH — December 30, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
There is not enough time or space to put it all into words, so if anyone wants to call me, I have alot of insight to this very fine old ranch. I have been involved back to when Ina Davis was still alive.
Please call me 605-348-4984
605-390-9001 cell
Comment by Jim Glines — December 31, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
It is too bad the Forest Service got their hands on it to begin with!
The government isn’t supposed to own land like that.
Of course the State of South Dakota is doing no better with their “historic preservation” of the CCC Camp Lodge, now used as the Black Hills Playhouse. It was such a treasure and the state allowed it to deteriorate, now they are burning a few buildings every winter. They say they “might” keep one.
What a waste.
Comment by Peggy — January 2, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
Every artist within a 1000 miles of the Black Hills should know about this place. It would make a wonderful artist retreat with artists maintaining the place. Thank you Jon for bringing this to our attention. Let’s all work on keeping this place intact.
Comment by Jan Humphrey — January 2, 2008 @ 1:52 pm
We can be very grateful that the Forest Service has possession of this property. Such property usually goes to a developer and used as a site for a McMansion or recreational enclave for the wealthy. Witness the area a short distance away just north of Lakota Lake (along 16A, Iron Mountain Road) which, if I’m not misinformed, was sold and being developed as a private retreat with a lodge and all the accoutrements.
Although time and the elements are claiming them, unfortunately empty and abandoned ranch buildings and farmsteads abound in our state. All have their story and many have photogenic appeal and evoke nostalgic longings while reminding us of the fragility of human endeavor. We mourn their loss but savor their legacy. However, especially in this case, the natural beauty and the history of the land will endure long after the buildings are gone. And apparently there is a plan to save the one original historic cabin at the site.
Ironically, the extensive publicity may make the site even more vulnerable to vandalism and other Forest Service concerns.
Comment by Leonard — January 2, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
Kudos to Jon Crane and those who are dedicated to saving these wonderful old buildings. I’ve only lived in the Hills for the last quarter century, but have also noticed how much of the “old” Black Hills are disappearing. There have been some creative thinking about how to utilize these buildings. I hope the Forest Service is listening.
Comment by Jane R. — January 2, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
Have read your story of these fantastic buildings, I cant believe that ANYONE, in their right mind, would willingly, knowingly, destroy such a brilliant structure to the homesteading, and frontier farmers in the making of America, some of my ancestors climbed ashore in 1630, from the ship Ann and later the Adventure, they stayed,and made their way inland and all over the then unexplored and Indian infested country, you must save it and others, it makes our hearts sing to see such heritage left behind, your history, that should, must be left, to others, the true sons, and this, to my mind, is the picture in the hearts of your boys fighting with our united front in the New wars of the Middle East, are they dying in vain, a wasting of the Country behind them, to feel, see this happen, a sad time , Get Your Self Up There, America, dig in your pockets, your pride, and save its SOUL. God Bless you all. Stan.
Comment by Stanley Charles Warwick — January 3, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
I don’t know how many have responded but Bernie gave us the Forest service number and there are over 25 folks here who have commented and if you aren’t calling the forest service then I’m not sure you have done any good to save this sight, you may look good to see what you said in print but that ain’t helpin. If you really care they should have over 25 calls at 605-673-4853 or 605-673-9200
Comment by Eddee — January 4, 2008 @ 7:57 am
Forest Service backs off from Meeker Ranch demolition
Superintendent to meet with artist aiming to save ranch buildings
By Kevin Woster, Journal staff Friday, January 04, 2008
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/01/04/news/top/doc477dba0f85269685567991.txt
Comment by Just call me Joe — January 4, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
Nice job on this one Jon Crane. Looks like things will turn out better than efforts to stop South Dakota state officials from dispursing the book collection at the South Dakota State Library. As far as I am concerned the State Library was burned just like the ancient Alexandria Library.
Comment by Jim Pollock — January 4, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
What you don’t know: The picturesque part of this ranch is a barn that was built in the 1970’s, not “centuries old”. The Davis’s purchased the property in 1970 and hired a local contractor to build the barn a few years later. Anything younger than 50 years is not protected by national historic preservation laws. Additionally, since the barn is modern, the RMEF retained ownership of that structure for later removal. The very dilapidated house, chicken coop and garage are older than 50 years and would require reconstruction rather than repair. How many 100’s of thousands of dollars would that require? Assuming that they had a budget for it, is this where the government should spend that kind of money? There is an old cabin there, pre-dating the other structures, that will be saved by the FS. Somehow the article doesn’t mention that. There are several historic ranches in the Black Hills, that are centuries old that have been “saved” by the FS. They do need public support and money to preserve these structures as well. If you indeed want to be a part of that historic preservation cause, contact one of the offices and get involved, rather than criticize an issue that you are only hearing one side of the argument.
Comment by CC — January 11, 2008 @ 12:41 pm