Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-11-07
DUDE RANGING
IDEA SPREADING
INTO THE EAST
HILLS OF ATLANTIC sEABOARD
STATES NOW DOTTED WITH
SUCH RESORTS


home of the dude ranch, but fasteners
have, taken a page from their western
cousins book and now the hills q
Atlantic seaboard states are dotted
with dude and guest ranches, cater
ing mainly to the weekend cowboy
from Manhattan.
These eastern ranches are Ior the
most part miniature reproductions OF
nearly so, Of the vast spreads their
owners have seen in the west. Iney
can't compare In size to the ranches
out here Of 10000 acres and more, out
some Of them do lay claim to being on
the fringe of the wide open spaces
with 1000 acres in which their guests
may cavort.
The dude ranches Of the east have
been advertising their facilities more
than ever this year in an effort 70
secure guests who are forced to stay
closer to home on their vacations be-
cause of wartime curtailment In tray-
q. "OnIy a few hours from the city"
is one of the principal attractions Of
fered.
Confusion In Homes
Western ranchers have never IN the
past felt that these eastern spreads
hurt their business much; on the other
hand they have rather believed that
they were somewhat Of a help. Persons
who got a taste Of ranch life IN the
east were more likely than not to plan
q later trip to the west where they
could vacation In the real dude ranch
country.
About the only grippe the westerners
have had has been when ranches ~
the east adopted names the same OF
similar to those of well known west
ern ranches. It may have been latter
ing, but It also was confusing, rancners
say.
The ranches have brought back the
horse and buggy days to the east and
trims between ranches and from ranch
to town have proved to be an aCtrac-
ton this season.
An eastern newspaper says tnSt
because of war restriction on motor
ing many ranch owners have trained
riding horses to work IN single OF
double harness and when gasohne
shortages In the summer were nanol-
cap to local travel, the ranch horses
were hitched to vehicles for transport
ing guests to and from the railroad
and bus stations as well as for shop
ping. -
'sFor many, driving is a lost art,
and the ranches took advantage OF
good opportunity and started TO teach
guests te drive. They have had almost /
as enthusiastic response as they mao
for riding horseback, and a new IoLn
of recreation has been added TO the
uro0ran of ranch life. Horseback nd
ing and all the activities connected
with the working Of real horse rancn
ore of course. the main attractions 70
most of the visitors, but the variety
AT recreational facilities st many OF
the ranches adds much to the pieasure
Of vacationists. Nearby lakes provide
boating and swimming facilities, snooS-
ing ranges are always at the d1spoSal
of the guests, and mountainous ana
open country assure good hiking per-
ritory.
Real Working Ranches
some of these holiday resorts ior
the city visitor are real WORKING
ranches with hundreds OF acres OF
grazing or general farm land, heros Oh
cattle. fine horses Of the best western
stock, dozens of farm buildings, Dig
corrals and all the general business
and atmosphere Of huge going con-
Germ ranch In the west, and even, IN
some places, longhorn steers for pull
logging and Brahma calves Tor rop-
ing. Ranches Of this type have already
arranged for reunions Of their guests
and dinners on the opening night OF
the Madison Square garden rooeo.
one of the most popular Of the ranches
only a few miles from New York city
has even reproduced a western town.
"Within the last six or eight years
here have been established scores OF
ranches In this part of the country
That give the vacationist most OF the
atmosphere and daily life activity OF
The great ranches Of the west, all with
n a few hours journey by train or
Gus or motorcar from the cities In this
area"
Odd people, these Americans For
years and years the east did its best
10 install some of its culture" In
westerners. Now it's the other way.
rhe east has transplanted some OF the
wild and woolly" west into its own
backyard.
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