My Shots - Hump Day History
Spring Mountain Ranch. The area has a long history of human-use, from Indigenous populations to travelers of the Spanish Trail, with ranching, and a little bit of Hollywood. Bill Williams originally established Sandstone Ranch. There is a blacksmith shop built in the 1860's that is one of the oldest surviving pioneer structures in the state. In 1876, James Wilson and George Anderson filed a claim for a working ranch, with plans for cattle, sheep, and mining. A later owner wanted to raise chinchillas. The main house there was built in 1948 by Chester Lauck, from the Lum and Abner radio show. After him, German actress and socialite Vera Krupp bought the property, and she is who gave its current name. She sold to Howard Hughes in 1967, though he never actually lived here. In 1973, a developer wanted to buy the land and put in luxury condos. The surrounding community protested, and the Nevada Division of Parks purchased instead. In 1976, it entered the N...