Zapata Ranch Headquarters
a.k.a. Great Sand Dunes Country Club and Inn;5 AL 297
5303 CO 150, Mosca, COThe Zapata Ranch is historically significant under Criterion A in the areas of Exploration/Settlement and Agriculture because it is one of the first and largest cattle ranches in the area, as well as a stagecoach stop and post office. The Headquarters has remained part of this large cattle operation from the time construction was started in 1878 to the present time. The buildings are quality examples of log construction as it was practiced in the western mountains between 1870 and 1925. The use of this Ranch Headquarters is not just adaptive reuse but is the continuing evolution of the ranch. The setting is also quite significant. It is within a cottonwood grove that was used for centuries as a place for human gathering. The first written mention of the grove in English chronicles was in the journal of Zebulon Pike in 1807. The setting remains basically unchanged. The history of the Zapata Ranch exemplifies the settlement and agricultural development of the San Luis Valley of Colorado, representing the development that led to the settlement of the western United States.
In the 1870s, large cattle companies from Texas began moving into the San Luis Valley of Colorado taking over huge amounts of acreage for cattle production. Their exact method of acquiring this acreage is unknown. Zapata Ranch began operation in the early 1870s. Headquarters buildings were constructed for Neil Adee and William Durkee when they became the owners in 1878, however, no trace of the original ranch house is left. Buildings that do remain are the cattle barn, chicken coop, blacksmith shop, and bunkhouse. A post office was opened in 1879, and at some earlier point, a stagecoach office and sleeping quarters had been built in the grove. From 1878 to 1988, the Zapata Ranch headquarters housed the owners and operators of this large cattle-raising business. The George Linger family made many significant contributions to the ranch as owners from 1912 to 1947. Buildings from their ownership include the ranch house and garage, the horse barn, and the corral area. During Malcolm Stewart's period of ownership, additions were made to the ranch house and the maintenance building was constructed. In 1988, a new owner, Hisa Ota, put plans for adaptive reuse into effect and changed the ranch headquarters into the Great Sand Dunes Country Club and Inn. The log buildings still look much the same, and the atmosphere of the grove is scarcely altered. The Zapata Ranch is still a working ranch with 3000 head of cattle and 2000 bison. The caretaker lives at the headquarters complex, as he has for years, and his personality seems to forge a tie with those cattlemen who lived here over the past 120 years. The cottonwood grove remains essentially unaltered with few trees lost since the first written record of the site was made.
Local significance of the building:
In the 1870s, large cattle companies from Texas began moving into the San Luis Valley of Colorado taking over huge amounts of acreage for cattle production. Their exact method of acquiring this acreage is unknown. Zapata Ranch began operation in the early 1870s. Headquarters buildings were constructed for Neil Adee and William Durkee when they became the owners in 1878, however, no trace of the original ranch house is left. Buildings that do remain are the cattle barn, chicken coop, blacksmith shop, and bunkhouse. A post office was opened in 1879, and at some earlier point, a stagecoach office and sleeping quarters had been built in the grove. From 1878 to 1988, the Zapata Ranch headquarters housed the owners and operators of this large cattle-raising business. The George Linger family made many significant contributions to the ranch as owners from 1912 to 1947. Buildings from their ownership include the ranch house and garage, the horse barn, and the corral area. During Malcolm Stewart's period of ownership, additions were made to the ranch house and the maintenance building was constructed. In 1988, a new owner, Hisa Ota, put plans for adaptive reuse into effect and changed the ranch headquarters into the Great Sand Dunes Country Club and Inn. The log buildings still look much the same, and the atmosphere of the grove is scarcely altered. The Zapata Ranch is still a working ranch with 3000 head of cattle and 2000 bison. The caretaker lives at the headquarters complex, as he has for years, and his personality seems to forge a tie with those cattlemen who lived here over the past 120 years. The cottonwood grove remains essentially unaltered with few trees lost since the first written record of the site was made.
Agriculture; Exploration/settlement
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
Mesa Verde National Park, located in southwest Colorado, is home to some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world. These ancient structures were built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago and provide a glimpse into the lives of these ancient people.
About Alamosa County
Alamosa County Timeline
Alamosa County, Colorado, was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ute and Jicarilla Apache. These tribes were semi-nomadic and relied on hunting and gathering for sustenance. Spanish explorers arrived in the region in the 16th century, with Juan de Oñate being one of the first known Europeans to visit the area. The Spanish established settlements and missions, but their presence was disrupted by conflicts with Native American tribes and eventually faded away.
In the mid-19th century, the Colorado Gold Rush brought European-American settlers into the area. Ranching and mining industries started to develop, transforming Alamosa County into an agricultural and commercial center. The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad established a route through the county in 1878, further boosting its growth and connecting it to larger markets.
Alamosa County experienced a significant population increase during the early 20th century due to agricultural expansion, primarily in potato farming and cattle ranching. The town of Alamosa was incorporated in 1878 and became the county seat. Water management projects, such as the establishment of reservoirs and irrigation canals, played a crucial role in supporting the region's agricultural growth.
The county also faced various challenges throughout its history. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s severely impacted the local economy, causing many residents to migrate in search of better opportunities. However, the community worked hard to recover, with the construction of the Alamosa National Fish Hatchery bringing much-needed jobs during the Great Depression. Today, Alamosa County continues to be a prominent agricultural center, while also attracting tourists who come to explore nearby natural attractions such as the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
In the mid-19th century, the Colorado Gold Rush brought European-American settlers into the area. Ranching and mining industries started to develop, transforming Alamosa County into an agricultural and commercial center. The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad established a route through the county in 1878, further boosting its growth and connecting it to larger markets.
Alamosa County experienced a significant population increase during the early 20th century due to agricultural expansion, primarily in potato farming and cattle ranching. The town of Alamosa was incorporated in 1878 and became the county seat. Water management projects, such as the establishment of reservoirs and irrigation canals, played a crucial role in supporting the region's agricultural growth.
The county also faced various challenges throughout its history. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s severely impacted the local economy, causing many residents to migrate in search of better opportunities. However, the community worked hard to recover, with the construction of the Alamosa National Fish Hatchery bringing much-needed jobs during the Great Depression. Today, Alamosa County continues to be a prominent agricultural center, while also attracting tourists who come to explore nearby natural attractions such as the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
Alamosa County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Alamosa County, Colorado.
- 1873 - Alamosa County was established on March 8th.
- 1878 - The first permanent settlement, known as "Old Fort," was established.
- 1881 - The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad reached Alamosa, fueling economic growth.
- 1886 - The town of Alamosa was incorporated on April 22nd.
- 1905 - The Alamosa National Bank, the first bank in the county, was established.
- 1912 - The State Normal School, now Adams State University, was founded.
- 1922 - The Carnegie Public Library opened its doors to the public.
- 1951 - The Great Sand Dunes National Monument was established.
- 2003 - The Alamosa County Museum opened, showcasing the county's history.