10/05/2026
This week we headed out to the Dry Creek Ranch and were given a tour around the ranch by members of the Damele family. The Dameles have owned the ranch and are a third generation ranching family who still live and work on this ranch.
The area began as two room station house for the Pony Express route and was the Dry Creek Station. The station was built and operated from 1860 through 1861 during the brief existence of the Pony Express. This station offered a place for the riders to stay while waiting for their next ride. Across from the station stood a stone mercantile store, along with corrals used to hold the horses.
In the 1880s, William Bates purchased the property and turned it into his ranch. He used the original Pony Express station as his home. During this time, William captured the wild horses roaming around on the surrounding ranges and trained them for people. In 1899, the Baumann family bought the ranch and sold it to John Hickison in 1907.
John and his wife moved to Lander County in 1887 from Cortez, Nevada and John became a prominent sheep and cattle stockman. Over the years, they owned several ranches throughout Lander County but called the Dry Creek Ranch home.
In 1910, John had a large stone ranch house approximately one mile west of the original Pony Express Station built for them to live in. The rocks and logs from the old Pony Express station and store were used to help build the ranch house. The walls were built from native stone and held together with mud. The stone walls were massive and are 30 inches thick. The roof was made of willow branches covered with dirt, creating a traditional thatched-style. The house had nine rooms, a large parlor and kitchen.
In 1912, a stone bunk house and blacksmith shop were also built, which are still being used today.
In 1941, John Hickison sold the ranch to the Damele family. The Damele’s raised and and bred the distinctive Curly Horse, a rare breed that ran wild only in this area of Nevada and could survive the grueling winter months.
In 1943, John and his wife moved to Reno, Nevada, where they lived until their deaths. They were both buried at the Austin Cemetery. Hickison Summit and Petroglyph Campground area were named after him and his ranch.
Today, the Damele’s continue to live and work on the Dry Creek Ranch as they have since 1941. The ranch and the rock buildings are still being used today and not much has changed from being built over 120 years ago. Please be aware the ranch is on private property and not open to the public.
