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The Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Highway 88 Minden, NV (775) 783-9417 dangbergranch@parks.nv.gov The Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park is located in Carson Valley, just west of Minden. The ranch is located on State Route 88 west of Minden, one mile south of the junction between U.S. Hwy. 395 and State Route 88. The Ranch is about 25 minutes south of Carson City, 30 minutes east of South Lake Tahoe, and one hour south of Reno. Tours are offered April through December, with special exhibits occurring throughout the year.  See Map
 
About the Park: The Dangberg Home Ranch began in 1857 as a homestead founded by German immigrant Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg, Sr. He built a log cabin in the sagebrush and began to clear and irrigate the land. He also married, and the cabin grew into a large house as he and his wife, Maggie, raised five children. Dangberg became a successful rancher, businessman and politician, and by his 1904 death had created a 20,000-acre operation. In 1902, the family founded the Dangberg Land and Livestock Co. and subsequently expanded their holdings to almost 50,000 acres, including cattle and sheep ranches in Douglas County and California's Alpine County. In 1906, the family founded the town of Minden and there, in partnership with other ranchers, established several agriculture-oriented businesses. Today, the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park preserves this essential chapter in Nevada's history. Guided tours take visitors through the main residence and other buildings, where 19th and 20th century artifacts open a window into history. Nevada's elite once passed through the doors of the Dangberg Home Ranch, and now you're invited to visit, too. Facilities & Amenities |
H.F. Dangberg, Sr., ca 1880
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Facilities: The park is still in the early stages of development, so facilities are limited. There is no drinking water, so visitors are encouraged to bring their own. Restrooms consist of two portable toilets (one of which is wheelchair-accessible), with a hand-washing station. Walkers and conventional wheelchairs can be accommodated during the parks tours and exhibits. However, motorized "scooters" are not permitted inside the buildings due to maneuverability limitations. Be aware that paved walkways are not available and that small obstacles (such as low, single steps) and rough ground exist. Pets and other domestic animals are not allowed at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park. Please leave your pets at home.  Family, ca. 1922 Tours: The park offers guided tours through the main residence and two outbuildings. The tours last about one-and-a-half hours. Tour admission is $3.00 for adults, free for children under 13. Advance reservations are required and can be made by contacting the park at 775-783-9417 or dangbergranch@parks.nv.gov. Tour schedule:Monday and Tuesday: Tours not offered. Wednesday: 10:00 am Thursday: 10:00 am Friday: 10:00 am Saturday: 10:00 am and 2:00 pm Sunday: 10:00 am and 2:00 pm  
Exhibits: The park stages several exhibits each year, using the park's large collection of artifacts, documents and photographs to tell stories about the Dangberg family, life in western Nevada and the various artifacts in the park's collection. Exhibit admission is $3.00 for adults, free for children under 13. Exhibit Schedule for 2009
 
Speaker Series: The park hosts a series of public presentations on local history and other topics in an outdoor setting. There is no admission charge for these events, and they all begin at 11:00 am. Speaker Schedule for 2009
Birds and Cattle: The Home Ranch is visited by many kinds of birds throughout the year. Each year, the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park is a regular stop on the Eagles & Agriculture Tour offered in late February by the Carson Valley Chamber and Visitor's Authority. Tour participants arrive on buses to visit the ranch in search of bald eagles, golden eagles, hawks, owls and many other birds. Bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, blue herons, Canada geese, kestrels, great horned owls, barn owls, turkey vultures, rough-legged hawks, ibises, killdeer, and even occasional sandhill cranes visit the ranch and the surrounding property. The property surrounding the Dangberg Historic Home Ranch is a working cattle operation of the Park Land and Cattle Company. Cattle can be seen regularly grazing in these pastures.
Volunteer Opportunities: There are many exciting and interesting volunteer opportunities at the Dangberg Home Ranch. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at 775-783-9417 or dangbergranch@parks.nv.gov. Volunteers participate in some or all of these activities:
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