The Dangberg Home Ranch began as a log cabin surrounded by sagebrush. Today, it tells an essential chapter in Nevada’s ranching history.

The cabin was built in 1857 by German immigrant Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg, Sr., whose success as a rancher created a 37,000-acre operation—one of Carson Valley's largest ranches. Dangberg was also a politician who served three terms in the Nevada state legislature.

As the Dangberg family grew, so did the cabin, and four generations eventually called the Home Ranch “home.” The Dangberg Land and Live Stock Co., a family corporation created in 1902, expanded the family’s holdings to 58,000 acres comprised of cattle and sheep ranches in Douglas County and California’s Alpine County. In 1905, the family founded the town of Minden, and in the next few decades spearheaded the establishment of several cooperative agricultural businesses.

Today, the Dangberg Land and Live Stock Company is gone, but the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park remains to educate and entertain visitors through tours, exhibits and public programs.

The Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park is a Nevada State Park. Activities focus on guided tours of the residence and interpretation of the site and the Dangberg family's place in Carson Valley history. Tour reservations are required and can be made by calling the park at 775-783-9417 or writing to dangbergranch@parks.nv.gov.

Scheduled events include exhibits with selections from the park's large artifact and document collection, as well as guest speakers presenting lectures on history topics and Chautauqua-style performances. A schedule of the current season's programs is available at http://parks.nv.gov/hr.htm

Time Period Represented: 19th and 20th centuries

Hours Open: Open Wednesday through Sunday for picnicking; tours and other uses by advance reservation only.

Visitor Fees: Park admission: Free; Tour admission: $3.00 for adults, free for children 12 and younger.

Seasons Open: April through December