FLYING X RANCH

The Ranch is rich in historic ruins, artifacts and history. It is a treasure of the past and will be preserved by the current Partnership.

The current Flying X Ranch location includes the Halleck Canyon Trail used by the calvary to move troops between Fort Laramie and Fort Halleck on the base of Squaw Mountain and the northwest side of Wheatland, reservoir. On the boulder near Wallace Lake was inscribed John C. Reed, US Army, Oct 3, 1867.

Indians used the ranch area as a summer retreat as it provided summer grazing for elk and deer, and water for the horses and dogs. Up top are the Indian baths which were large bath tub indents in rock near Elk Park . The summer rain fills the despression in the rocks and can become ideal tubs for bathing and washing. At the west end of the Bluegrass Ridge, by Bluegrass Creek, are Shoshonie Indian tepee rings , which are circles of rocks used to hold down the teepees.

The highest rock peak on the ranch can be seen from miles away, and is called Guide Rock and was used to guide the troops to the trail.. It was reported that McGills in 1930s, found Army saddles, saber, and sheaths along with numerous Indian flint, arrowheads, and artifacts. Indian flints are still found on the ranch.

In sawmill canyon the orginal homesteaders, Mcill, Dodge, and Palmer, had a lumber mill. Evidence is still in existence. Ponderosa and pines are several hundred years old in the canyons and remain, as the saw mill was only used for the homestead cabin logs/lumber.

The old school house and school bell , near the ranch office was built to allow the children to be schooled. It is now used as a restored cabin.

The Flying X Ranch began as several homesteads belonging to Thomas A McGill, George Brandon, and Aurther Dover in the period of 1890s and 1910s.

The ranch was consolidated in the 1970s by an investment group which reportedly, included participation by several Denver Bronco football players and coachs. It was mismanaged and never became a large dude ranch. Many of the lakes were improved and dams were constructed. Nine lakes currently exist and are chartered for support of the horses and cattle.

The property and equipment was subsequently purchased by the orginal Flying X Partners in the late to early 1970-1980s who chartered the consolidated ranch, obtained a loan from McGills, and set the partnership ownership to 311 partners. It has been operated as this partnership since then. In 1998 the debt was paid in full to McGill. All land is clear and free of debt.

A number of homestead log cabins are still seen. They include:

the Margret Emory cabin, once used as a school house near Halleck Canyon Trail,

Uncle Dick Padget's cabin, who was a civil war vet, this cabin is currently being repaired as it is in the best condition,

Harry Yaunt homestead near the old coppermine. He had two bear hides nailed to the side of the structure,

Herman Goldsmith barn, which is still being used but needs to be repaired as a historic site. It is near the largest cottonwood tree in Wyoming. The certification is in the office.

and the Ranch House whose foundation was originally Aurther Dover/George Brandon house. It was rebuild in 1940 by the McGills and is used as the Ranch Office.

Charlie Sommer cabin foundation which is near the current picnic area,

Frank Chadwick cabin which was in the current apple grove that he planted.

The Simerly cabin is gone but the potatoe shelter, up top by the lake, is still in good shape and was used as a root storage shelter,

The two Mexican crossroad cabin site up top was orginally part of the Union Railroad land. They hired the Mexican family to retain the orginal ownership, which was the practice to prove the land was improved.

The West upper end of the ranch was part of the famous Two Bar Ranch which was partly purchased in the late 1940s by McGill.

The current Flying X budget provides initial funds for installing maps and placards by 11 of the historic sites which are presen t on the ranch. The homesteaders names are used to designate each of the pastures and retain the history of the settlers.