In the late 1800s, civilization in the other directions was a day's ride away, and few lawmen were up to the chase. Besides, they knew the outlaws guarded the trail. Historians claim as many as 30 or 40 bandits hung out in six log cabins here, although the cabin foundations have slowly been covered as the years passed. The Willow Creek Ranch dates to the 1880's. Kenneth MacDonald, an immigrant sheep rancher, homesteaded it.
Guests pose as the Wild Bunch.
His nephew George Taylor, operated the ranch for the past 50 years and still summers in the main house. Taylor says his uncle didn't say much about the outlaws, except 'they never caused me no trouble'. The area's small ranchers, such as MacDonald, aided the outlaws because they didn't want any trouble, and besides, the bad guys rustled from large Texas cattle barons and robbed trains with well-filled strong boxes. There's no record that Cassidy ever killed anyone, and many tales about his cunning and kindness persist. Today, a rugged dirt road leads from ranch headquarters to the former hideout.