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CLICK ON THIS LINK TO WATCH THE FULL LENGTH VIDEO OF THE BELL RANCH
The "Bell" is one of the largest reputation western cattle ranches in the United States offering a “one iron” brand cattle herd on 290,100 blocked, deeded acres in northwest New Mexico. The historical and cultural significance of the Bell is unique among western ranches and the diversified landscape offers a variety of flora and fauna enhanced by cultural artifacts spanning several centuries. The Bell, with its rich history, cultural artifacts, proven cattle and horse operations and recreational aspects make it, without doubt, one of the most promising and interesting ranch investments offered over the last several decades.
LOCATION
The Bell is located in northeast New Mexico, 30 miles from Tucumcari, 100 miles from Las Vegas and about 130 miles from both Albuquerque and Amarillo with several airports of varying sizes nearby, including the Bell Ranch Waggoner airfield, an 8,200 foot lighted airstrip. The property is readily accessible from both I-25 and I-40. The ranch lies in an untouched landscape of grasslands, mesas, canyons and buttes highlighted by the over 13 miles of the Canadian River, 18 miles of shoreline on Conchas Lake, the Bell Mountain and a variety of mesas and grasslands at latitude that is both pleasant and productive.
HISTORY
The Bell is rich in history with strong accents to early Spanish explorers, Native American Indians as well as the cowboys and ranchers that continue its traditions. Petroglyphs found on the Bell Ranch indicate Native Americans may have lived there well before the 1500s. The area encompassing the Bell Ranch was originally granted to Don Pablo Montoya in 1824 by Mexico long before New Mexico became a US territory (1850) and achieved statehood (1912). Control of the property was gained by John S. Watts, a Santa Fe attorney, in 1864 and title was confirmed by the U. S. Government. Just three years later, Wilson Waddingham, a cattle, real estate and mining baron, brought cattle to the ranch in 1872 and registered the Bell brand in 1874. A group of New York investors owned the Bell from 1894 to 1899. Shareholders of the Red River Valley Company owned the ranch until 1947 with some divisions during that tenure. The Ranch Headquarters and approximately 130,000 acres were owned by Mrs. Harriet E. Keeney until the sale to William N. Lane in 1970 and the family has owned the ranch since. During his tenure, Mr. Lane later assembled the Hacienda unit to bring the ranch to its current size.
LAND DESCRIPTION
The Bell consists of 290,100 deeded acres (453 square miles) stemming from the Don Pablo Montoya Mexican land grant dating to 1824. The western portion of the ranch is bisected by the Canadian River which creates its own landscape and habitat. The central portion of the ranch is predominately open grassland with a variety of browse and grasses which make up the heart of the livestock range. LaCinta Creek runs north to south through the ranch providing stock water to much of the ranch’s interior. The vista is broken by Bell Mountain, Huerfano and Gavilan Mesas and the rim rock ledges rising up from the valley floor. This rim rock forms the western edge of the Bell’s high country. Access to the high country has historically been through the scenic canyons such as the Seventy Four, Ensinosa, Mule, Bueyeros, and Medio. It is in these canyons that proof of mankind’s early occupation of the Bell Ranch exists. Numerous petroglyphs record the life of these ancient inhabitants and the animals with whom they shared this magical land. An elevation difference of 1300+ feet lends, a different ecosystem to the Bell’s upper country. Cedar, pinyon, and ponderosa pine are abundant along with cottonwood and several varieties of brush and bushes occupy a little over half of the mesa and canyons. The elevation provides for more moisture and cooler temperatures creating some of the best grass land on ranch. The eastern portion of the ranch offers grass and brush habitat that grade into canyon lands consisting of cedar and ponderosa pine. These contrasting landscapes offer a variety of habitats for the diverse populations of wildlife including mule and whitetail deer, antelope, turkey, blue quail, dove and waterfowl.
RANCH OPERATIONS
The Bell Ranch offers a vast and diversified resource unequalled in today’s ranch market. With an average carrying capacity of 5,000 animal units consisting of 4,000 mother cows and first calf heifers, 600 replacement heifers, 250 range bulls, and 150 ranch bred horses. This ranch offers an ongoing livestock operation of significant proportion with its unique ability to offer both spring and fall calving operations. The Bell provides an element of size and scope on an all-deeded land base that is comparable only to the largest cattle operations across the United States.
The Bell has its own purebred herd producing a breed of proven livestock adapted to its unique environment. A complete inventory along with the breeding, feeding and marketing program is available to qualified buyers. The ranch is economically feasible in terms of beef production and capable of navigating changes in terms of today’s modern beef production systems. The Bell is positioned to be a feasible beef-production system that addresses the challenges of today’s fossil fuel-based method by offering either a traditional production system or a natural-grass raised alternative.
Adhering to long-term, solid economic programs, The Bell is a calf producing factory offering consistent, low-cost, young cattle to the market place. A broad spectrum of strong high-protein grasses including three varieties of grama – blue, black and sideoats – along with buffalo, sand dropseed, curly mesquite, desert muhley plus tabosa and sacaton (both of which are drought resistant) provide a great menu of year ‘round forage. This combination results in excellent herd health and growthy calves. The ranch headquarters receives about 15 inches of annual precipitation with several more inches at higher elevations. August moisture generally runs about three inches and provides a second “greening”. Because of an ideal range in elevation – 4,200 to 5,500 feet – the cattle graze year ‘round on strong grass supplemented in winter months by liquid protein.
Performance testing was pioneered on The Bell by George Ellis, who instituted the 205-day weaning weight standard along with other first-time analytical methods. A practical blending of genetics to match outstanding natural forages has resulted in the Ranch’s singular composite herd developed from the best Hereford, Red Angus, Gelbvieh and Brahma blood-lines.
WILDLIFE
While not the primary focus of the Bell Ranch management, wildlife habitat is abundant and presents a unique opportunity for the next owner to imprint the resource with a solid game management plan.
Antelope, mule deer, black bear, and mountain lion provide big game hunting. Rio Grande and Merriam turkey, scaled quail and dove thrive in large populations. The ranch supports other natural species such as coyotes, bobcats, fox and raptors.
The Bell Ranch’s wildlife population has been described “as at the diamond in the rough” stage. The focus of the Bell Ranch has been in the production of livestock with a small, but thriving wildlife program. Several methods of enhancement have been suggested to develop a growing, thriving population of wildlife.
WATER RESOURCES
Water resources are a strong consideration for any western ranch and the Bell has both natural and developed water resources that allow for appropriate utilization of the feed resources.
The ranch has a number of live water resources that provide livestock and wildlife water including the Canadian River that flows through the property for 13 miles as well as 18 miles of shoreline on Conchas Lake. La Cinta Creek flows the entire length of the Ranch, north to south for about 30 miles, providing pools of water along the way. Mesteno, Perra Draw, Seco Creek, Bueyeros Creek, Cow Pass Creek, Tuloso Creek, Seventy Four Canyon, Devils Creek, Ensinosa Canyon, and Mule Creek, along with other smaller drainages, provide another 80 plus miles of livestock drinking water. In addition there are hundreds of earthen dams that capture rain water. There are approximately 90 miles of pipeline and 116 wells and windmills along with 206 stock tanks that deliver a consistent source of water to the ranch.
There are nearly 356 miles of fences, mostly barbed wire on wood and/or steel posts. There are over 160 miles of natural fence boundary that also separate the ranch into a number of livestock grazing pastures. The ranch for its sheer size is amazingly well developed with fences and water resources which aid in grazing rotation and livestock management.
IMPROVEMENTS
The Bell’s building improvements provide both historical and functional structures for use by the ranch hands and owners.
The “Headquarters” which lies along La Cinta Creek includes the White House, dating to the mid 1800’s and includes the manager’s residence on the West Wing, a middle section of sleeping rooms and the East Wing which has been used as a separate living quarters. The Cookhouse, Office and the Cook’s quarters are a separate structure and lie in the middle of the complex. Three separate homes and the historic barn, corrals and miscellaneous outbuildings provide the balance of the complex.
The “Hacienda” which serves as the owner’s residence and guest lodge, consists of
10,382 square feet and lies on the north end of the ranch near the head of La Cinta Creek. Built in the 1930s by Guy Waggoner, a prior owner of part of the Bell Ranch, the Hacienda has historical significance and was visited over the years by Hollywood stars and starlets such as Clark Gable, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Howard Hughes and other notable celebrities. The Hacienda is meticulously landscaped and overlooks the heart of the Bell Ranch with views from the great area looking out at Bell Mountain and Huerfano Mesa. The eight bedrooms are located on the east and west wings with external access to the courtyard and outdoor pool and tennis court. The Hacienda provides a perfect Southwestern flair for gatherings by the ranch owners and guests. The facility contains separate living quarters for staff as well as a shop, garage and storage facilities.
The Hacienda is served on-sight by an FAA approved Bell Ranch Waggoner Airport with a large hangar, fuel storage and 8,200’ lighted, leveled and well maintained dirt airstrip capable of handling large twins and small jets.
The 2,900 square foot Lake House lies on Conchas Lake, has four bedrooms and a boat house. The facility offers direct access to the lake for boating, water skiing, jet skiing and fishing. Seven “ranch camps” offer homes for ranch hands in outlying areas on the ranch allowing them to care for livestock in the various areas.
Mule Camp (otherwise known as the Homestead) is a well improved residence including a 2,900 square foot main home, a manager’s dwelling, garage, garage/shop and horse barn with storage.
A special location on the ranch known as Fish Camp has been utilized as a get-a-way destination for day horse rides and over night stays. This camp has been improved with a one bedroom cabin, showers, cooking/dining area and corrals.
The ranch has over five hundred miles of interior roads and operates a road maintainer on a full-time basis for road maintenance.
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
- The sheer size and deeded land base make the Bell one of the nations leading contiguous deeded holdings with limited outside influence.
- Historic and western cultural significance allows for projection to a ranch resort setting with jet capable facilities in a mild and dry year-round climate.
- Livestock capability with a “one-iron” reputation set of genetically consistent cattle allows capability to partially supply a branded beef program.
- Recreation and wildlife resources provides opportunity for enhancement with further potential on the Canadian River and Conchas Lake to own, control and operate a vast wildlife empire with multiple species of big game, upland birds and fishery.
- Tenured Employees – the ranch operates with seasoned and capable employees that provide a ranch culture offered only on the few great western ranches.
SUMMARY
Opportunities to purchase a property such as the “Bell” are rare and should be considered as an “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity. The Bell has been professionally managed over its history and the new owner will face the challenges facing the beef industry as well as those challenges for wildlife and recreation opportunity. The history is deep, the trail is long, and the rewards are great and most of all “the acquisition will define the owner”.
PRICE
290,100 acres $99,000,000
(Livestock and Equipment $4,000,000)
THE AMERICAN COWBOY AND THE BELL RANCH CULTURE
A small group of men and women comprise the team that allows the “Bell” to function as a great western ranch. This is possible with its young and old employees that adhere to long standing western culture and “codes of the West”, often unseen yet sorely needed in the modern corporate world. Where else would a bright, young person agree to endure the hardships of the life of a cowboy out of pure enjoyment, respect of nature and willingness to get the job done? The opportunity to serve on the crew of the Bell or other reputation western ranches is a reward to those that understand the culture of the diminishing vast western landscape of “Cowboy country”. Those cowboys inure their heart and soul to the horses they ride, the cows they punch and the dogs that are their partners. There are young single men, family men and the old “puncher”, yet the thread of their existence is the unspoken code of the West and rule to “ride for the brand”. These men and women place their lives on the line in a “professional” manner, and do so in a landscape and environment that can be as punishing as it is rewarding…it is the life of the “Cowboy”, much the same as it was over a hundred years ago.
The Bell, upholding to traditions of the last century and a half, continues to “run a wagon” for brandings and roundup. The traditions of the past allow human talent and modern horseflesh to produce top-quality beef demanded by purveyors and customers of the best steaks and burgers in the world, bar none. A typical ranch hand arrives at the “Bell cook house” or one of the eight “camps” at five o’clock in the morning, sometimes earlier on hot summer days, to get a belly full of grub and his orders for the day delivered from the cow boss. A good hand not only respects those orders but relishes in the fact that his peers and team will not only deliver on their assignments but do so in a fashion that respects the principals and codes established over generations of American Cowboys. Those ethics are adhered to and respected by those that endeavor in this type of work. It can be shared and earned by those willing to subscribe to the ethics of the American Cowboy and it is contagious to not only those that work there, but to those that have the opportunity to visit and spend time on the “Bell”. It is a rare culture true to the heart of all Americans and reveled only by those close to it, undaunted by the misgivings of modern society, nonetheless, wanted by the soul of most all of us and giving rise to the definition of the modern American Cowboy. A meaning that can mostly be expressed in pictures and poems…obviously, a rare form of living, American art, yet a thriving thread to our own culture.
The Bell in and of itself becomes a rare art form by its ability to produce this American culture and theme. While the economics of the market place are always changing, the culture of the “Bell” is unwavering.
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LOCATION: San Miguel County, New Mexico |
PRICE: $99,000,000
($341 dollars per acre)
290,100 deeded acres
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CONTACT: Rue Balcomb, Robb Van Pelt or John Stratman |
PRINT PDF FILES:
Summary
Panoramic photo of Bell Ranch c. 1914] in the Library of Congress American Memory collection |
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Copyright © 2009 Mason & Morse Ranch Company
214 Eight Street Suite 100 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Phone: (970)928.7100 or toll free (877)207.9700
Fax: (970)928.7200 E-mail: sales@ranchland.com
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