The Cole Ranch
Wyoming was still a territory, Crook County and the town of Sundance were in their infancies. The Battle of Little Big Horn was a short 6 years removed. The last Indian Skirmish within Wyoming, called the battle of Lightning Creek, a mere 80 miles to the south, wouldn’t happen until the Cole settlement was in the midst of it eleventh harvest. It was a wild time and place, residence lived with a constant cautionary fear of Wolfs and Grizzlies and Indians. One afternoon, Horace was riding his horse and witnessed a lone male Indian riding slowly westward across the field between Cole Canyon and Mt Lewisa. He dismounted his horse, drew his Winchester from his scabbard, held his bead on the Brave as he eventually disappeared into the oaks and up into the Bear Lodge Mountains, never to be seen again.
In 1876, gold was discovered in the Black Hills; Deadwood became the mecca. After moving to camp from Montana, Seth Bollock opened Deadwood’s first hardware store with his business partner Sol Star. Wild Bill Hickok was murdered while sitting at a poker table (holding the Aces and 8’s) by “The Coward” Jack McCall and was laid to rest in a burial plot in the Mount Moriah Cemetery paid for by Colorado Charlie Utter.
In 1877, Bollock was then appointed the Towns first Sherriff. Mining mogul George Hearst bought the Manuel brothers’ claim for $70,000 and establishes the Homestake Mining Company. Horace Cole, then 33, road into Deadwood to try his luck at prospecting. He eventually settled in Central City, 2 miles to the East, and opened a hardware store of his own.
Horace married Maria Ogden in September of 1879 in Central City, In the spring of 1782 he packed up his belongings and, along with Marie’s Parents, moved to Wyoming.
Horace settled his family along Red Water Creek at the base of Sheepnose Mountain on a 900-acre homestead. Maria’s parents, the Ogden’s, settled 2.5 miles to the south along what would become Ogden Creek at the base of Ogden Canyon.
In 1887, Horace was elected Sundance’s first Republican Sherriff and his brother, George Cole, moved to Wyoming. He purchased the land between the two families where the “Cookie House” currently stands, at the base of Mt. Lewisa. He later purchased adjoining land patents in 1891 and again in 1898, later selling his homestead to Horace who had also purchased two additional land patents issued in 1895, and then again in 1911, two years after his death.
Damon Cole, Horace’s son, added to the ranch’s size by purchasing homestead patents in 1922, 1923 and again in 1937 on adjoining property. Damon later bought the “Ogden Place” from Marie (Ogden) Cole’s nephew and at least five other adjoining homesteads, making the Cole Ranch what it is today.
Damon, his son Victor and his daughter Janet “Cole,” had all lived on the ranch and off the land. Today, the Cole Ranch is owned by Janet and her three children, Dustin, Jeremy and Destiny.
The Cole Ranch has been a central and pivotal part of six generations of the Cole Family who have raised cattle and farmed and harvested timber and hunted the land. The Ranch holds an intrinsic value of history and memories and family life. My sons can ponder the root cellar at the Old Cole Place and know that his Great great great Grandfather’s hand-stacked each of those stones. In many ways, it’s a step back into the Old West. Much of the ranch is exactly as it was 130 years ago.
I’m in awe of this land and its history as it holds a great deal of meaning to me, and I hope, one day, to my two boys. The land is ruggedly beautiful, and while on it, I feel more man, more simple and yet, more developed. I feel closer to God when I’m on it. The land gives, and takes; it’s harsh, and yet incredibly soothing.
For many years The Cole Ranch’s hunting rights were leased out to a local guiding service. Today, Metolius Wyldlife Adventures holds that responsibility, with the primary goal of being GREAT STEWARDS of this land. Ethically taking what is sustainable, using what is taken, and treading lightly. And with this in mind, Enjoy.