3 minute read
Lawson Ranch
from LAND Fall 2020
Lawson Ranch, homestead in the 1860s and once owned by the late Bing Crosby, encompasses just under 3,000 deeded acres and is located 45 miles north of Elko, Nevada. Completely reminiscent of the Old West, yet complete with updated modern conveniences— including your own private airstrip and large airplane hangar, a full ranch headquarters, six center-drive hay pivots, the ability to run over 600 pair of cattle and easy access to town—this is the quintessential turnkey western cattle ranch.
Located 45 miles northwest of Elko at the base of the snow-capped Independence Mountains, the 2,972± acre Lawson Ranch is the quintessential turnkey Nevada ranch. With three year-round creeks and some of the state’s oldest water rights, the turnkey property is ideal L as a cattle ranch, a recreational ranch or a perfectly balanced operation that provides its owners the best of the West.
In the 1940s, the sprawling, verdant landscape captured Bing Crosby’s imagination and became one of the seven ranches the legendary crooner owned in the Silver State. The property, which still boasts the original well-preserved circa 1860 homesteader’s cabin, abuts Humboldt National Forest.
The Foreman, Winters and California creeks crisscross the property and form three of the headwaters of the Humboldt River. (The Lawson Ranch has access to 6,141 acre feet of water from the Humboldt River through adjudicated water rights.) Lahontan cutthroat trout spawn in the crystalline waters.
The abundant water combined with the property’s proximity to the forest and mountains makes the Lawson Ranch a wildlife paradise. Shiras moose, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope as well as many other species call the ranch home year-round or seasonally.
Plentiful water also makes highly productive irrigated agriculture feasible and economical. Taking advantage of its six center-drive pivots and irrigated meadows, the Lawson Ranch gets multiple grazing rotations of cattle. Plus, its hay production can exceed 1,000 tons annually.
Another 1,578.9± acres are flood irrigated to produce superlative grazing that supports at least 600 cow-calf pairs. The current owner runs purebred Angus cattle, taking advantage of the strong grass for about nine months out of the year, to produce all-natural, nonhormone treated Angus beef.
For the past 10 years, the current owner has carefully stewarded the property, improving the land and the infrastructure. Today the ranch offers all the modern amenities, comforts and conveniences without sacrificing the ranch’s authentic spirit and feel.
The focal point of the ranch headquarters is the almost-5,000-square-foot main residence that has been reimagined as a bed and breakfast. It features five bedrooms and five baths designed to accommodate family, friends and guests.
In addition, there are two, two-bedroom duplexes and a three-bedroom, 1,800± square-foot modular home that could be used for guests or employees.
Ranch infrastructure includes a barn with 16 horse stalls, two shops and two fully enclosed hay barns with about 1,000-bale capacity.
To make getting to the property as convenient as staying here, Lawson Ranch has a private airstrip measuring 2,800 feet long by 100 feet wide. The airstrip and expansive airplane hangar is a short walk from the main headquarters. The ranch is a quick 16-minute flight from Elko and 75 minutes from Reno.
The Lawson Ranch is a rare example of an ideal Nevada ranch. It’s what many would craft from scratch to make their dreams of western living come true. Fortunately, for one lucky buyer this western dream ranch already exists and could be yours for the taking.
Property ID 6620081 • Offered at $7,280,000
OUTDOORPROPERTIESOFNEVADA.COM
Todd Renfrew, Broker and Owner 707.455.4444 Info@OutdoorPropertiesofNevada.com
