A Real Dude Ranch in Lincoln County
Troy Free Press (Troy, Lincoln County, MO), June 10, 1938, p. 1.
Transcribed by June Groshong.

A REAL DUDE RANCH in LINCOLN COUNTY

Unknown to many citizens of Lincoln County, there is operating within its boundaries a full fledged "Dude Ranch." Beginning operations last summer, the ranch title has been changed from the "McLaughlin Dude Ranch" to the "Midwestern Dude Ranch" and is operating on a commercial basis.

Upon entering the grounds visitors are met by a pack of large collie dogs who bear down upon them with loud barks of greeting. The dogs are immense in size and are fully sized in their affectionate attention.

The ranch boasts a varied menagerie made up of many pets, including horses, burros, owls, goats, ducks, and peacocks. The burros make up as effective a reception committee as the collies. Not in the least shy, they accept petting with wagging tails and are inclined to follow as long as permitted.

Visitors are accommodated on the Ranch by a swimming pool, bridal paths, croquet courts, hiking trails a large dinning hall, and games of all types. Cabins are available for groups of any size. Each building is modernly equipped with electricity, running water, cooking utensils, ice boxes, and everything needed for comfort. Modernly equipped dressing rooms and spacious concrete terraces overlook the swimming pool. Comfortable lounges, swings and benches are available any place on the ground. The care of the animals and buildings occupy the time of several attendants.

A special Boy Scout reservation is provided, apart from the ranch proper. A large wooden tepee houses groups of this type. Built-in bunks line the walks of this building to afford a more "ranchlike" atmosphere for children.

The Midwestern Ranch offers an opportunity for a pleasant vacation at any time. Mr. McLaughlin may well feel proud of his enterprise.

[Transcriber's Note: Later Mr. Wm. & wife Maude, nee Vinyard Grenzbach owned this Dude Ranch property. Across the road, now Hwy. W, was the place known as 7 Acres that Albert & Estelle nee Vinyard Ricks owned. I am assuming it was previously owned by the McLaughlin family as at the bottom of the hill is a large spring. A small house now encloses it. It was always full of good water and many folks came from miles around to fill their buckets with the cool water from McLaughlin Spring. Those days are gone. Too many houses and mobile homes occupied near by, have caused the spring to become polluted over the past 40 years. jg]

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by June Groshong, 9 Feb, 2008.

NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed county coordinator with proof of this consent.

Return to Lincoln County, Missouri
Newspaper Clippings Index  |  Heritage Page  |  Home Page