ACREAGE

220.15 deeded acres

ACREAGE BREAKDOWN

220.15 deeded acres

1.  90 acres irrigated pasture

2.  130.15 acres grazing

Climate

Dubois, Wyoming averages 9.92 inches of rain per year. Snowfall averages 47 inches per year in town and it does not usually accumulate. On average, there are 300 sunny days per year. The July high temperature averages 79 degrees and the January low temperature averages 12 degrees. The comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is 65 out of 100–where a higher number is more comfortable. The United States average on the comfort index is 44.

Dubois was originally nicknamed “Never Sweat” because of its mild climate and dry breezes.

Mill Iron Ranch is located 5.3 miles north of Dubois and receives more snow than in the valley. The driveway needs to be plowed on occasion.

History

 

Original Homesteader, Henry Elmer “Hank” Boedeker

Eva Boedeker, married to Hank’s son, Harold Boedeker, related much of the material in the following story through Mary Allison’s wonderful book, Dubois Area History

Henry Elmer “Hank” Boedeker was born February 10, 1859, in Salem, IL, the 4th of 12 children. His Father, Theodore, was born in 1828, in Celle, Germany. His Mother, Patience LaVina Buskirk, in 1832, in York State, England. His Father was a first mate on one of the famous steamships which traveled the Mississippi River in the early days. He took Hank on a steamboat ride down the Mississippi to see and hear Abraham Lincoln deliver a speech. It was one of Hank’s favorite childhood memories.

When Hank was 6 years old, his family moved to Nebraska. He lived there through his childhood and early adult years.

He married Josephine Terryberry, in 1883. They had three children, Roy, Elmer, and Eddie. After the tragic loss of his wife and youngest son (Eddie, age 11 months) to consumption (Tuberculosis), he decided to move west to Wyoming to make a new start for himself and his two surviving sons.

He was young, ambitious, and brave. One of his first jobs was as a hunter for a survey company. He later drove stage from Crazy Woman Station to Buffalo, WY.

This was in the days prior to the Johnson County Cattle War; and there was looting of stages and holdups along what is now known as the “Outlaw Trail”.  He worked as Marshal and Deputy Sheriff periodically over a span of twenty years and came in contact with many of the notorious criminals of the era including Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang. When Butch Cassidy was sentenced to the Wyoming State Prison, in 1894, Hank was in the official escort party on the long, treacherous trip from Lander to Fort Laramie. The Sheriff at that time was Charles Stough. According to historical records, “accompanying Stough were Lander Constable, Henry Boedeker, and Stough’s deputy, Harry Logue”.

He was working as Town Marshal in Lander, WY when he met and married Margaret Elizabeth Adams, in 1894. He affectionately called her “Maggie”. They had 9 sons and 2 daughters.

In 1899, he filed on a homestead five miles north of Dubois.  It was described as: West half of the north east quarter and north east of the north west quarter, Section 24, Township 42 North, Range 107 West. He and Maggie prove up on the homestead by 1906.

He started in the cattle business with Sam Sing, a Chinaman from Lander, WY. They ran cattle on open range—which was called “public domain” at the time. They used Hank’s first brand, the Bar 2 Circle Bar.

The partnership dissolved after a few years and Boedeker ranched on his own. He used a different brand, the HB. It is an heirloom which has been passed down within the family, from generation to generation.

Abundant wildlife surrounded the homestead with Bighorn sheep, elk, wolves, and grizzly bears roaming the area. Boedeker trapped, hunted and guided. He became known as one of the best Bighorn sheep hunters in the country.

After a particularly eventful hunt, one of his hunters, Dr. Dean, of Denver, sent Boedeker a camera which stimulated his interest in photography. He took many photographs of his family and other scenic pictures and developed them himself in his make-shift darkroom.

Another hunter, a doctor from Omaha, NE, took a picture of Hank with an outstanding Bighorn sheep ram. Hank was holding his Winchester rifle and his foot rested on the ram. After returning to Omaha, the doctor took the snapshot into a Winchester Arms store. They had the photo blown up to life size and displayed it on the exterior of their building. Due to the notoriety of the picture, which was also used on calendars to publicize Winchester rifles, the scene of the hunt was officially named Boedeker Butte. The life-size picture was also used on a Winchester Arms float at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, in 1904. It advertised: “A Winchester rifle was used to down the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep on Boedeker Butte”. To this day, Beodeker Butte is a storied and cherished landmark.

As was characteristic of the early pioneers, Hank served many callings: dentist, barber, carpenter, cobbler, photographer, veterinarian, musician, obstetrician, and general helper. He was also a talented musician; and played a violin–one from his Father which he especially treasured. It was brought from Germany, handmade, and bore the inside label “Stradivarius – 1670”. He played this violin at many dances throughout the upper country.

Six of the Boedeker children attended school while living in this area. Their first school was a log structure located on the Boedeker homestead and the teacher was Eloise Fox (Mrs. Ashley Williams)

The second school, also called the “Boedeker School”, was built through donations and community efforts. It was located on ground that is now known as the upper end of the Rocking Chair Ranch, across the road from the old Tinkle homestead (Buffalo Buttes). All of the furnishings were moved from the old Boedeker School to the new building; and the new teacher was Myra Fox Skelton (1915-1918).  The students were all Boedekers except three: Arvid Anderson, Clara Anderson, and Carl Heuett.

In 1917, Hank sold the homestead to his eldest son, Elmer, and moved his family to “the Kinnear place”. They loaded two freight wagons, each pulled by 4 horses, and a hayrack, equally loaded to capacity and pulled by 4 horses.

Hank leased the Kinnear place–now known as Woolery’s. He hauled logs from Dubois to build a house and he farmed. In his late 50’s, he evidently continued living with boundless energy. He built corrals, cabins, and sheds, and planted an orchard. He also freighted from Dubois to Lander, hauled oil field equipment, and helped build a new reservoir near Bar G Ranch.

Meanwhile, in Lander, again there was quite a bit of trouble with lawlessness.  There was a desperate need for a Marshal to “help tame the town”. Attorney Bill Hardin was mayor and appointed Hank for the job since he had a long line of previous experience in law work and had built a reputation as a “pretty tough police officer”. He sent a messenger to the Kinnear ranch. As the family related: “Somebody rode out to the ranch one day. ’Didn’t even get off from his horse as he banged on the door and said ‘Hank, the mayor is trying to get in touch with you!’”  He finally managed to get to the nearest telephone in order to acknowledge the message. The mayor asked him to take the job as law officer in Lander and “help straighten the town out”. Boedeker accepted the offer and immediately moved his family to Lander, in 1921.

Originally, the ranch was a working cattle ranch. Recently, it was updated for an executive retreat with state-of-the-art multimedia technology, sophisticated lodging, fine dining and lounge, horseback riding, hunting, and respite from the pace of modern life. Currently, the ranch offers two houses which generate rental income. Hay ground/pasture with irrigation rights, 40 acres with potential for 90 acres, is custom hayed and pastures horses. The ranch manager is also a well-known hunting outfitter and has guided many hunters into the backcountry surrounding Dubois and Jackson Hole. Located in the heart of the upper Wind River valley, 50 miles from Grand Teton National Park and 80 miles from the southern entrance to Yellowstone National Park, this ranch is in an exceptional area for a Rocky Mountain base camp with unlimited recreational opportunities.

 

 

 

General Operations

Most recently, this  ranch was updated for an executive retreat with state-of-the-art multimedia technology, sophisticated lodging, fine dining and lounge, horseback riding, hunting, and respite from the pace of modern life. Forty to ninety acres of hay ground is irrigated and rotationally custom-hayed. Horses graze the pastures. There are well-maintained fenced and cross-fenced corrals, a sturdy log barn, and tack sheds.

This 220 acre ranch is situated approximately 5.3 miles north of Dubois, Wyoming, on Horse Creek Road. Access is by a county-maintained paved (4 miles) then gravel (1+ mile) road. Little Horse Creek, a tributary of Horse Creek, runs through the property. Approaching from the south, one drives past several private ranches and pasture land. To the west of the property are the foothills of the Absaroka Mountain range, owned by the Bureau of Land Management and private ranches. To the north is another private ranch consisting of 100 deeded acres and 755 BLM lease acres which is also for sale. Farther up the road are several large private ranches, including conservation easement property, then, Shoshone National Forest and the Washakie Wilderness area. Horse Creek originates in the national forest and flows south, all the way to Dubois, before merging with the Wind River. It is an excellent fishery. To the east are the foothills of the Absarokas including BLM land, a large private ranch, a section of State Land, and, then, the National Forest beyond. This country is part of the Yellowstone migration corridor for elk and deer. The largest herd of free ranging wintering elk in the U.S. winters at nearby Spring Mountain.

Dubois is a small, western, mountain town in the Wind River valley of west central Wyoming. It is on the east side of the Continental Divide at an elevation of 7000 ft. It has been voted one of the “Best Rural Towns” by American Cowboy Magazine. The 2013 US Census Bureau population is 995, in town. It is surrounded by the Absaroka and Wind River mountain ranges and is framed by picturesque red rock badlands. The Wind River begins as snowmelt in the mountains at the Continental Divide and flows through Dubois on its way to the Big Horn, Missouri, and Mississippi Rivers to the Gulf of Mexico.

Jackson Hole is 90 miles west of town. Dubois is on the southern edge of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem and is a gateway community to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The Wind River Indian Reservation, home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapahoe tribes, is 15 miles east of town.

The economy is based on agriculture, tourism, and public lands management. Dubois offers all of the amenities of modern life–a medical clinic, physical fitness centers, grocery store, library, numerous dude ranches, fine dining, and a municipal airport. It has an excellent K-12 school system, Fremont County School District #2. It is also home to the National Big Horn Sheep Interpretive Center, the Headwaters Arts and Conference Center, the Dubois Museum, and a lively arts scene including fine arts galleries and music venues. Many and varied year round outdoor recreational opportunities abound including big game hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, skiing, rodeo and horseback riding. The Dubois area has unlimited numbers of trails to explore with valued public access to national forest, BLM, and State public lands. It is considered one of the most remote towns in the lower 48 states; yet commercial air service is available through Jackson and Riverton less than 100 miles away.

Residents are proud of the history and culture of this small mountain town and work enthusiastically to sustain it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local

Dubois is located in the Upper Wind River Valley of west central Wyoming in the eastern foothills of the Continental Divide at 7000 feet elevation. It enjoys a dry climate with a large percentage of sunny days.

Dubois is a gateway community to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The Fitzpatrick, Washakie and Teton Wilderness areas and Shoshone National Forest encircle the area providing unparalleled hunting, fishing, hiking, backcountry skiing and many more recreational opportunities.

The area is home to the largest herd of Bighorn sheep in the lower 48 states. It is also home to several thousand Rocky Mountain elk which winter here. Photographers and wildlife watchers can view grizzly and black bears, Bighorn sheep, moose, mule deer, whitetail deer, wolves, foxes, antelope, mountain lions, Trumpeter swans, Canadian geese and many species of ducks and songbirds.

Excellent fishing is available in the Wind River and its tributaries along with numerous mountain lakes and streams. Cutthroat, brook, German brown, and rainbow trout as well as mountain whitefish provide exciting opportunities.

 

Wildlife

Dubois, WY, and the surrounding lands, both private and public, provide excellent wildlife habitat and are home to Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, moose, antelope, grizzly and black bears, coyotes and wolves, antelope, foxes, Bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and many more.

The ranch is on part of the migration corridor for Rocky Mountain elk moving to their winter range on nearby Spring Mountain and the Spence Moriarity Wildlife Habitat Management Area, which supports the largest free ranging herd of elk in the country. Trophy mule deer can be found on the ranch most times of the year. The Ranch’s irrigated fields and the riparian area along Little Horse Creek provide excellent cover and forage for big game animals, wildlife, song birds, eagles, and hawks.

 

Fisheries

For the angler, there is excellent fishing in the nearby Wind River and its tributaries—Horse Creek, East Fork, Wiggins Fork–and in numerous mountain streams and lakes such as Brooks Lake, Pelham Lake, Wind River Lake, and Lake of the Woods. Cutthroat, brook, brown, and rainbow trout as well as mountain whitefish offer unlimited opportunities. Boysen Reservoir, 110 miles east, offers excellent year round fishing for many species including walleye, lingcod, perch, bluegills, and bass. To the west, Snake River, Buffalo Fork of the Snake River, Jackson Lake, and the many streams and rivers of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks await.

Recreational Opportunities

The Upper Wind River Valley offers a multitude of outdoor recreational opportunities including horseback riding, hiking, biking, ATV, canoeing, camping, scenic drives, photography, wildlife viewing, big game hunting, fishing, geocaching, and rockhounding. Winter recreation includes ice fishing, snowmobiling, back country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Nearby Jackson Hole offers alpine skiing at two major resorts and summer whitewater rafting.

Taxes

2021 taxes were $9,589

Ten reasons to Own Property in Wyoming:

1. No state income tax: No state tax on personal or corporate income.
2. Dynasty trusts: You can shield your real estate from federal estate taxes for up to one thousand years. This trust must be administered in Wyoming.
   1. You can establish a trust in Wyoming for the benefit of your family or other beneficiaries.
   2. You can transfer your real estate into a Limited Liability Company or family trust, then, transfer it into the Dynasty Trust–which will continue for one thousand years. This can allow multiple generations to make use of and enjoy the property without having to pay estate taxes.
3. No inheritance or estate tax: Wyoming repealed its estate tax January 1, 2005.
4. No state gift tax: Real estate can be gifted to your heirs without having to pay a State gift tax.
5. No tax on out-of-state retirement income: Wyoming does not tax retirement income which is earned outside of Wyoming.
6. Low property taxes: Wyoming has low property taxes compared to other states.
7. No excise taxes: Wyoming does not tax prescription drugs or food for home consumption.
8. No tax on mineral ownership: Wyoming does not tax mineral ownership.
9. No intangible taxes: Wyoming does not tax financial assets such as stocks and bonds.
10. No tax on the sale of real estate

Wyoming has been cited by Bloomberg Wealth Management magazine as the most tax friendly state in the country.

Wyoming is ranked second most tax friendly state by Kiplinger.com

Note: A tax planning professional should always be consulted to gain full understanding of the tax regulations as they pertain to your specific circumstances.

Water Rights

1. Mill Iron Ranch has irrigation water rights through Little Horse Creek.
2. A registered well can also be used for irrigation.

Mineral Rights

 

Improvements

1. Main Lodge

Improvements include a spacious 7,752 sq. ft. Lodge with two large wings. The east wing is a complete living quarters with a Master Bedroom unit which includes a full bath, an efficiency kitchen/laundry room, a built-in gas fireplace and entertainment center, built-in dresser and closets, and sliding glass door access to a private stone patio. There are two additional bedrooms–each with a full bathroom, and a separate office/media center. The large, open living floor plan includes a living room with a wood burning stove, a dining area with sliding glass door access to a large deck, and a kitchen with breakfast bar. A stairway from the living area leads to a half loft with additional living space.

The west wing includes a formal entrance with a full hallway of built in coat closets, a private conference room, a hospitality kitchen, and several pantries. A professional kitchen can prepare meals for an executive retreat, guest ranch and/or a restaurant. An elegant great room with cathedral ceilings, glass chandeliers, and a massive stone fireplace waits to serve as a large, formal dining room or living room through which guests can flow through two sets of sliding glass doors to a scenic stone patio overlooking the ranch. It has two half bathrooms and a janitorial closet. A stairway leads to a half loft, overlooking the dining area, with an authentic western-style bar with hardwood floors and a gas fireplace. An additional carpeted reception room, several large closets, a half bath, and a separate stairway to an outside exit extend the loft’s value. A large professional laundry room provides two sets of washer/dryer hook-ups, a full wall of storage cabinets, two walk-in closets with additional shelving, a utility sink and plenty of room to wash/dry, fold, and iron for the entire ranch. The lodge building also has two full bathrooms, with exterior entrances, for cowboys/cowgirls to freshen up before entering the main lodge.

2. Four Duplex-style Guest Cabins

800 sq. ft. each. 2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms with separate entrances and a covered porch.  Quiet. Private. Nice views of the ranch and mountains.

3. Office Cabin

1200 sq. ft. office cabin has 4 rooms / 1 bathroom with multiple cabinets,

phone jacks and abundant counter space.

 

4. Ranch house 1

1404 sq. ft. ranch house has 4 bedrooms / 1 full bathroom and a 128 sq. ft.   deck. Living / Dining area, office, kitchen, mud room. Electric heat.

New leach field with pump station.

5. Ranch house 2

884 sq. ft. ranch house has 2 bedrooms / 1 full bathroom. Living area / kitchen, laundry room. Wood burning stove.

6. Log schoolhouse

192 sq. ft.  Handcrafted log cabin.  This was the original one room school for the children in the Horse Creek drainage.

7. Log cabin

384 sq. ft.  Hand hewn log cabin built in 1925. The cabin is of compound dovetail joinery. The workmanship is exceptional on this historical cabin.

8. Log barn

1404 sq. ft. handcrafted log barn was the home of the original settlers.

It was built from logs which were harvested in the local mountains and hauled to the Ranch by a team of horses.

9. Equipment storage building 1

• ft. insulated building. Propane heat, concrete slab floor.

10. Equipment storage building 2

• ft. insulated building, concrete slab floor.

 

11. Hay storage

1152 sq. ft. Post and roof hay storage. It held 30 to 35 tons of hay in 2014.

12. Corrals

Well-maintained fenced and cross-fenced corrals, sturdy log barn, tack

Sheds and shop offer excellent horse facilities.

13. Landscaping

In addition to the beautiful scenery, there is a sprinkler irrigated lawn and

Mature landscaping in front of the Main Lodge building. Stone patio and

Entrance walks to Main Lodge.

 

14. Irrigation system

Established and well maintained ditch system for flood irrigation.

Separate well for sprinkler irrigation around the Main Lodge and guest

cabins.