State Historic Preservation Office recognizes Wyoming centennial farms and ranches at Wyo State Fair

Douglas – On Aug. 16, the Wyoming Centennial Farm and Ranch program welcomed 13 ranches to their roster, adding to the list of 213 families that have been honored in the program.

“This is one of our favorite events of the year that we are involved in,” said Milward Simpson, Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) director. “What a legacy these families leave us – a legacy of stewardship, perseverance, family and the reasons that we call Wyoming home.”

Joining SHPO in honoring these families were program partners the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA), Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Rural Electric Association, Wyoming Wool Growers Association and Wyoming Livestock Roundup.

WSGA Executive Vice President Jim Magagna said, “This is a great honor to recognize these ranches. This is not just about the 100 years we have come from but about the next 25, 50 and 100 years that we continue to build.”

“This isn’t a celebration of a point in time, but a celebration of a movement in time through history,” Magagna added. “It represents not only the glory but the hard work and commitment they have undertaken.”

The families honored as 2015 centennial farms and ranches are as follows:

Susan Ann Schaffer and Karyn Spears Families, Baily Ranch, Albany County – 1882

Jack and Elaine Pugsley Family, C.L. Pugsley Ranch, Goshen County – 1915

Desiree Stonum, Leisel and Tim Carpenter Families, Flying Heart Ranch, Albany County – 1984

Steve and Cissy Gudahl Family, Gudahl Ranch, Platte County – 1914

Linda and Keith Hamilton Family, Hamilton Ranch, Big Horn County – 1915

Gerald LeBeau Family, LeBeau Family Limited Partnership Ranch, Carbon County – 1888

Herb and Shirley Lorenz, Dr. Phil Lorenz and Cheryl Bailey Families, Laramie County – 1915

Jean Panno Moore Family, Panno Ranch, Niobrara County – 1904

Linda Purcell Family, Purcell Ranch, Uinta County – 1885

Ron and Mayvon Platt Family, Ralph Platt Ranch, Carbon County – 1886

Dorothy Robinson Butler and Jay L. Butler Families, Robinson Ranch, Converse County – 1915

Albert and Marilyn Rosenlieb Family, Rosenlieb Ranch, Carbon County – 1886

Arnold B. Tschirgi and Loretta Tschirgi Families, Six Mile Ranch, Sheridan County – 1914

In recognizing these families, Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso and Rep. Cynthia Lummis all noted that the Wyoming families honored as centennial ranches represent the backbone and heart of Wyoming, representing the state as a whole.

For more information on the Centennial Farm and Ranch program, visit wyoshpo.state.wy.us.