Swan Land and Cattle Company Headquarters, Historic ranch headquarters in Chugwater, Wyoming.
Swan Land and Cattle Company Headquarters is a ranching complex in Chugwater containing four wooden buildings arranged in a north-south line. These structures include a general store, manager residence, office building, and barn, together reflecting the different functions of the ranch operation.
The complex was founded in 1883 by Scottish investors and managed vast lands in eastern Wyoming during the region's ranching boom. The operation became significant in the development of cattle raising across the area during the height of the western ranching industry.
The manager residence from 1876 displays detailed Stick style architectural elements, reflecting Scottish influence on American ranching operations. This architectural choice shaped how the entire complex looks today and shows how European building traditions took root in the prairie landscape.
The headquarters buildings are located at the intersection of Happy Hollow Road and Lone Tree Road, accessible from Wyoming Highway 313. Visitors should be prepared for rural road conditions and plan time to explore the complex on foot.
The grounds feature cottonwood trees that have grown since the site's early days, becoming a significant part of the place's character. These trees stand as witnesses to more than a century of ranch history and show how the site was thoughtfully landscaped.
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