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The Swett Ranch in Utah
The Swett Ranch in Utah is a turn of the century ranch on 397 acres that was one of the last claims in the Homesteading Act of 1862. This homestead, listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, was constructed by Oscar Swett in 1909, and contains two cabins, a five room house, a meat house, root cellar, sheds, granary and barn. A 'modern' bathroom was added the house in the 1960's; but after seventy years of using an outhouse, Oscar considered having a bathroom inside the house unsanitary, so it was entered from the porch!
Swett Ranch was mostly self-sufficient: Oscar and wife Emma Swett grew most of the things they needed. They operated the ranch by horse and manpower for nearly 60 years, long after trucks and tractors were available (Oscar noted that "horses don't break down and require a mechanic.") Oscar cut timber, ran a sawmill, and constructed the cabins, outbuildings, and fences on the property from native logs or lumber.
Beef production was the primary concern of the ranch. At its peak, the ranch was stocked with 200 head of cattle. National Forest land surrounding the ranch served as a summer range.
Periodically over the years, the Forest Service has made restorations at Swett Ranch with the help of volunteers. Volunteers provide interpretive tours for visitors, clean the facilities, maintain the grounds and keep visitation record. Volunteer positions become available to assist a grazing permittee with an annual historic ranch day at Swett Ranch. This photo captures a ride in a covered wagon; other activities include churning butter and roping. The volunteers in this photo are located in the background by the house where all the people are gathered.
Search Forest Service listings here at volunteer.gov to see if any opportunities are available at Swett Ranch; if not, we're sure you'll find hundreds of other opportunities to volunteer with the Forest Service!
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| Volunteers provide interpretive tours for visitors (Photo: US Forest Service) |
Swett Ranch was mostly self-sufficient: Oscar and wife Emma Swett grew most of the things they needed. They operated the ranch by horse and manpower for nearly 60 years, long after trucks and tractors were available (Oscar noted that "horses don't break down and require a mechanic.") Oscar cut timber, ran a sawmill, and constructed the cabins, outbuildings, and fences on the property from native logs or lumber.
Beef production was the primary concern of the ranch. At its peak, the ranch was stocked with 200 head of cattle. National Forest land surrounding the ranch served as a summer range.
Periodically over the years, the Forest Service has made restorations at Swett Ranch with the help of volunteers. Volunteers provide interpretive tours for visitors, clean the facilities, maintain the grounds and keep visitation record. Volunteer positions become available to assist a grazing permittee with an annual historic ranch day at Swett Ranch. This photo captures a ride in a covered wagon; other activities include churning butter and roping. The volunteers in this photo are located in the background by the house where all the people are gathered.
Search Forest Service listings here at volunteer.gov to see if any opportunities are available at Swett Ranch; if not, we're sure you'll find hundreds of other opportunities to volunteer with the Forest Service!
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