Historic Bell Ranch for Sale with 250,000 Acres

30 Mar, 2007, Colorado Springs, CO

The historic Bell Ranch, with its sprawling 250,000 acres of mesas, canyons and cedar forests, has been listed for sale by Orvis/Cushman & Wakefield Ranch and Recreational Properties, LLC of Colorado Springs, Colorado. This idyllic setting has been the backdrop to countless Western film and advertisement scenes, and has played host to many of Hollywood's classic movie stars throughout the years including Clark Gable, Howard Hughes, Roy Rogers and Shirley Temple.

"It is a rare occasion for this particular ranch, or any property of its caliber and historical significance to be on the market," said Orvis/Cushman & Wakefield CEO John B. Watson, who is also the lead broker on the listing. "We are greatly looking forward to contributing to the rich history of this truly exceptional place by finding its next owner."

Named after a bell-shaped mountain on the property, the Bell Ranch is located primarily in San Miguel County, New Mexico. Purchase of the property includes cattle and horses. The famous bell-shaped brand was first registered in 1875 by Wilson Waddington, and the herd is one of the first genetically selected herds in the United States, through long-running collaboration with Cornell University. Even the horses have history, with siring dating back to an Army Remount herd. A working cattle ranch for over 180 years, the Bell Ranch cowboys carry a reputation for their cattle-working skills, and in 2003 they won the Coors Ranch Rodeo team competition.

A paradise for sportsmen and conservationists, the Bell Ranch is a seemingly endless expanse of wildlife habitat with abundance of wild turkey, dove, blue quail, deer and antelope. The Canadian River traverses the entire length of the ranch with its winding creeks and waterholes. The ranch also abuts Conchas Lake, providing fishing opportunities for bass, bluegill, walleye and crappie. A large lake house and boat storage are located near the water. With 250,000 well-blocked, deeded acres of unspoiled nature, the conservation and ecological value of this land is immeasurable, making the investment potential for this historic ranch priceless.

After a long day of rounding up cattle, fishing, tennis or relaxing by the pool, owners or their guests can relax in one of the eight bedrooms within the Hacienda's 10,382 square feet. The ranch's Hacienda was designed with many luxury features, including a Casino, built in the 1930s for the purpose of entertaining family and friends, and at times, the rich and famous. The Bell Ranch Headquarters, including a spacious general manager's home (5,764 square feet), offices and stables, was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1970. There are also camps located throughout the property, boarding the cowboys tending the cattle on the range.

The Bell Ranch property contains many well-maintained outbuildings that are used in its cattle operation. The ranch has its own museum, stables, bunkhouse, employee housing and other storage barns and buildings as well as ranch equipment, cattle pens, scales, corrals, windmills and wells.

For pilots and fly-ins: 8,200-foot lighted airstrip, hangar, fuel tank.

The Bell Ranch carries with it a legacy of loyalty to the land. Every owner and general manager (of which there have been just eight) from Pablo Montoya, who obtained the property through a land grant from Mexico in 1824, to the current ownership, has been an extraordinary steward of this land. It is the owners' wish to pass this unparalleled property into the hands of those who will also care for it as they have, with a unique management system integrating the cattle operation with conservation.

This property is presented by Orvis/Cushman & Wakefield Ranch and Recreational Properties, LLC for $115,000,000, by John B. Watson and Rye Austin.

Orvis/Cushman & Wakefield Ranch and Recreational Properties, LLCis a joint venture between The Orvis Company and Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. in the marketing and sale of premier ranch and recreational properties to the global market, matching qualified buyers with sellers of investment-quality properties. The company combines two world recognized brands; Orvis, renowned since 1856 for its sporting traditions and commitment to conservation, and Cushman & Wakefield, founded in 1917, the preeminent commercial real estate services firm in the world. The combined direct mail and broker network platforms assure maximum market reach and exposure.

Interviews and photos are available

Gail Swanson, Publicist

Phone: (239) 415-7420, E-mail:GailSwansonFL@aol.com

back to real estate News & Events

Printer Friendly Version