Fielding Garr Ranch
Encyclopedia
The Fielding Garr Ranch is a ranch located on the southeastern portion of Antelope Island State Park
in the Great Salt Lake
, Utah
, USA and is part of the Utah State Parks
system.
The Fielding Garr Ranch is located at 'Garr Springs' which is one of the strongest and most consistent springs of the 40 known springs on Antelope Island
, though even this spring has shown some signs of drying up in recent years. The ranch is one of the oldest working ranching operations in the Western United States. The ranch was initially established in 1848, the year after the first Mormon pioneers came into the Salt Lake Valley
. Fielding Garr, a widower with nine children, was sent by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to live on Antelope Island
and establish a ranch to manage the church's 'Tithing Herds' of cattle and sheep. The first building was an adobe house, built in 1848, and it is still in existence as the oldest building in Utah, built by pioneers of European descent, that still remains on its original foundation. The adobe ranch house was continuously inhabited thereafter until 1981 when the State of Utah prepared to set up Antelope Island as a Utah State Park. At various times other people tried to live on the island, but the harsh conditions, isolation and a lack of fresh water made it very difficult.
The ranch remained under the control of the LDS Church until 1870, when it was purchased by John Dooly, Sr. Dooly lived on the island and set up the "Island Improvement Company" to provide cattle and sheep ranching. At one point the island supported a population of 10,000 sheep and it was one of the largest sheep ranches in the United States
. In 1893, John Dooly and William Glassman imported 12 American Bison
to the island. Buffalo (American Bison
) were becoming extinct over much of their range at the time, and he felt that their novelty value was high enough that he could ranch them, and charge people to hunt them.
Ranching continued until 1981, when Antelope Island State Park
was established. The cattle and sheep were removed and the island park was created to protect the wildlife and allow park visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty and to camp, boat and visit the beaches of the Great Salt Lake.
along the southeast portion of the island. Follow I-15 to Syracuse
, Utah
, 25 miles north of Salt Lake City. Take the Syracuse
exit of I-15 (Exit 332) and go straight west 7 miles on Utah State Road 108 (Antelope Drive) to the Antelope Island State Park
fee booth (at the beginning of the causeway). Continue straight along the causeway 6 miles to the island then take the left fork of the road, turning towards the south. In less than a half mile, at the second juncture, bear to the left again, and travel south along this road about 11 miles to the ranch. There is a gate that controls the southern portion of the road. This gate and the ranch opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM during the summer and 5:00 PM during the winter.
The trees surrounding the ranch, a small stream and pond, and an extensive marsh area, provide an isolated haven for birds along the east shore of the 15-mile-long sagebrush and grasslands covered Antelope Island.
There are approximately 250 species of Water and Shore Birds, Grassland Birds and Raptors that have been seen on Antelope Island, and many of them are found in the vicinity of the Fielding Garr Ranch. The ranch and the island are a popular place for bird watching. Some of these birds include Northern Waterthrush
, American Redstart
, other warblers, Vireos, Great Horned Owl
s, Long-eared Owl
, Hermit Thrush
, Townsend's Solitaire
, Loggerhead Shrike
(winter) Varied Thrush
and Northern Shrike.
The Antelope Island Bison Herd
is a herd of 500 to 700 American Bison
that is still present on the island and the herd is partly managed from the Fielding Garr Ranch. The bison
may wander the entire island, but most of the bison
tend to stay in the area around the ranch, since the habitat is excellent for them and more of the natural springs are in that part of the island. Other large mammals in the vicinity include Coyotes, Pronghorn Antelope, Big Horn Sheep and Mule Deer
.
Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park is a Utah state park on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. The park is in Davis County, Utah in the United States. It is open for year-round recreation and features an abundant wildlife population, including one of the largest free roaming herds of American Bison in...
in the Great Salt Lake
Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake, located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Utah, is the largest salt water lake in the western hemisphere, the fourth-largest terminal lake in the world. In an average year the lake covers an area of around , but the lake's size fluctuates substantially due to its...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, USA and is part of the Utah State Parks
Utah State Parks
Utah State Parks is the common name for the Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation; a division of the Utah Department of Natural Resources. This is the state agency that manages the state park system of the U.S...
system.
The Fielding Garr Ranch is located at 'Garr Springs' which is one of the strongest and most consistent springs of the 40 known springs on Antelope Island
Antelope Island
Antelope Island, with an area of , is the largest island of 10 islands located within the Great Salt Lake, Utah, United States. The island lies in the southeastern portion of the lake, near Salt Lake City and Davis County, and becomes a peninsula when the lake is at extremely low levels. Antelope...
, though even this spring has shown some signs of drying up in recent years. The ranch is one of the oldest working ranching operations in the Western United States. The ranch was initially established in 1848, the year after the first Mormon pioneers came into the Salt Lake Valley
Salt Lake Valley
Salt Lake Valley is a valley in Salt Lake County in the north-central portion of the U.S. state of Utah. It contains Salt Lake City and many of its suburbs, notably West Valley City, Murray, Sandy, and West Jordan; its total population is 1,029,655 as of 2010...
. Fielding Garr, a widower with nine children, was sent by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to live on Antelope Island
Antelope Island
Antelope Island, with an area of , is the largest island of 10 islands located within the Great Salt Lake, Utah, United States. The island lies in the southeastern portion of the lake, near Salt Lake City and Davis County, and becomes a peninsula when the lake is at extremely low levels. Antelope...
and establish a ranch to manage the church's 'Tithing Herds' of cattle and sheep. The first building was an adobe house, built in 1848, and it is still in existence as the oldest building in Utah, built by pioneers of European descent, that still remains on its original foundation. The adobe ranch house was continuously inhabited thereafter until 1981 when the State of Utah prepared to set up Antelope Island as a Utah State Park. At various times other people tried to live on the island, but the harsh conditions, isolation and a lack of fresh water made it very difficult.
The ranch remained under the control of the LDS Church until 1870, when it was purchased by John Dooly, Sr. Dooly lived on the island and set up the "Island Improvement Company" to provide cattle and sheep ranching. At one point the island supported a population of 10,000 sheep and it was one of the largest sheep ranches in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1893, John Dooly and William Glassman imported 12 American Bison
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
to the island. Buffalo (American Bison
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
) were becoming extinct over much of their range at the time, and he felt that their novelty value was high enough that he could ranch them, and charge people to hunt them.
Ranching continued until 1981, when Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park is a Utah state park on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. The park is in Davis County, Utah in the United States. It is open for year-round recreation and features an abundant wildlife population, including one of the largest free roaming herds of American Bison in...
was established. The cattle and sheep were removed and the island park was created to protect the wildlife and allow park visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty and to camp, boat and visit the beaches of the Great Salt Lake.
Location
The ranch is on Antelope IslandAntelope Island
Antelope Island, with an area of , is the largest island of 10 islands located within the Great Salt Lake, Utah, United States. The island lies in the southeastern portion of the lake, near Salt Lake City and Davis County, and becomes a peninsula when the lake is at extremely low levels. Antelope...
along the southeast portion of the island. Follow I-15 to Syracuse
Syracuse, Utah
Syracuse is a city in Davis County, Utah, United States, between the Great Salt Lake and Interstate 15, about north of Salt Lake City. It is part of the Ogden–Clearfield, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area.Syracuse was incorporated on September 3, 1935....
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, 25 miles north of Salt Lake City. Take the Syracuse
Syracuse, Utah
Syracuse is a city in Davis County, Utah, United States, between the Great Salt Lake and Interstate 15, about north of Salt Lake City. It is part of the Ogden–Clearfield, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area.Syracuse was incorporated on September 3, 1935....
exit of I-15 (Exit 332) and go straight west 7 miles on Utah State Road 108 (Antelope Drive) to the Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island State Park is a Utah state park on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. The park is in Davis County, Utah in the United States. It is open for year-round recreation and features an abundant wildlife population, including one of the largest free roaming herds of American Bison in...
fee booth (at the beginning of the causeway). Continue straight along the causeway 6 miles to the island then take the left fork of the road, turning towards the south. In less than a half mile, at the second juncture, bear to the left again, and travel south along this road about 11 miles to the ranch. There is a gate that controls the southern portion of the road. This gate and the ranch opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM during the summer and 5:00 PM during the winter.
Habitat and Wildlife
Antelope Island is mostly dry grassland. The eastern side of the island is a grassy plain or prairie habitat from the eastern shoreline to the central mountainous spine of the island. Few trees and little fresh water is present on the island, though there are a few small, sometimes inconsistent springs, especially in the areas near the Fielding Garr Ranch.The trees surrounding the ranch, a small stream and pond, and an extensive marsh area, provide an isolated haven for birds along the east shore of the 15-mile-long sagebrush and grasslands covered Antelope Island.
There are approximately 250 species of Water and Shore Birds, Grassland Birds and Raptors that have been seen on Antelope Island, and many of them are found in the vicinity of the Fielding Garr Ranch. The ranch and the island are a popular place for bird watching. Some of these birds include Northern Waterthrush
Northern Waterthrush
The Northern Waterthrush is one of the larger New World warblers. It breeds in the northern part of North America in Canada, and in the northern United States, . This bird is migratory, wintering in Central America, the West Indies, and Florida; also Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador...
, American Redstart
American Redstart
The American Redstart is a New World warbler. It is the only member of its genus and is unrelated to the Old World redstarts. It derives its name from the male's red tail, start being an old word for tail.-Description:...
, other warblers, Vireos, Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl, , also known as the Tiger Owl, is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.-Description:...
s, Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
The Long-eared Owl - Asio otus is a species of owl which breeds in Europe, Asia, and North America. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, family Strigidae, which contains most species of owl...
, Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
The Hermit Thrush is a medium-sized North American thrush. It is not very closely related to the other North American migrant species of Catharus, but rather to the Mexican Russet Nightingale-thrush.-Description:...
, Townsend's Solitaire
Townsend's Solitaire
Townsend's Solitaire is a medium-sized thrush, the only solitaire native to America north of Mexico.-Range and habitat:...
, Loggerhead Shrike
Loggerhead Shrike
The Loggerhead Shrike is a passerine bird. It is the only member of the shrike family endemic to North America; the related Northern Shrike occurs north of its range but also in the Palearctic....
(winter) Varied Thrush
Varied Thrush
The Varied Thrush is a member of the thrush family Turdidae.It breeds in western North America from Alaska to northern California. It is migratory, with northern breeders moving south within or somewhat beyond the breeding range...
and Northern Shrike.
The Antelope Island Bison Herd
Antelope Island Bison Herd
Antelope Island in Great Salt Lake, Utah, United States of America is part of Antelope Island State Park. On the island, a semi-free ranging population of "Buffaloes" or American Bison have been in existence since 1893. Though the island was named for the Pronghorn Antelope that John C...
is a herd of 500 to 700 American Bison
American Bison
The American bison , also commonly known as the American buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds...
that is still present on the island and the herd is partly managed from the Fielding Garr Ranch. The bison
Bison
Members of the genus Bison are large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognized...
may wander the entire island, but most of the bison
Bison
Members of the genus Bison are large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognized...
tend to stay in the area around the ranch, since the habitat is excellent for them and more of the natural springs are in that part of the island. Other large mammals in the vicinity include Coyotes, Pronghorn Antelope, Big Horn Sheep and Mule Deer
Mule Deer
The mule deer is a deer indigenous to western North America. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large mule-like ears. There are believed to be several subspecies, including the black-tailed deer...
.
Activities
Tours are available of the historical Fielding Garr Ranch and surrounding environs. Buildings include the adobe ranch house, silo, bunkhouse, stables, springhome, and blacksmith shop. The Fielding Garr Ranch is a demonstration ranch and visitors can get an idea of the lifestyle that was lived by ranch inhabitants in the past. The ranch area is one of the most popular bird watching locations on the island. Hiking and photography are also popular. Horseback riding is available and horses can be rented at the ranch on an hourly basis. Riders can go out to observe the bison but are required to stay on established trails.See also
- Antelope IslandAntelope IslandAntelope Island, with an area of , is the largest island of 10 islands located within the Great Salt Lake, Utah, United States. The island lies in the southeastern portion of the lake, near Salt Lake City and Davis County, and becomes a peninsula when the lake is at extremely low levels. Antelope...
- Antelope Island State ParkAntelope Island State ParkAntelope Island State Park is a Utah state park on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. The park is in Davis County, Utah in the United States. It is open for year-round recreation and features an abundant wildlife population, including one of the largest free roaming herds of American Bison in...
- Antelope Island Bison HerdAntelope Island Bison HerdAntelope Island in Great Salt Lake, Utah, United States of America is part of Antelope Island State Park. On the island, a semi-free ranging population of "Buffaloes" or American Bison have been in existence since 1893. Though the island was named for the Pronghorn Antelope that John C...
- Fremont IslandFremont IslandFremont Island, at , is the third largest island within the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA. Antelope Island, at in area, is the largest island within the Great Salt Lake.-Flora:...
- Stansbury IslandStansbury IslandStansbury Island is the second largest island within the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA. Located in Tooele County, it is considered an island even though a dirt causeway connects it to the main land. Stansbury Island was named after Howard Stansbury, the leader of a government expedition that...