White Horse Ranch

White Horse Ranch is a property in Basin Township spanning 40 acres between two rivers, with seven buildings surviving from its working years. The structures provide a view of how the ranch operated and what daily life looked like for those who worked there.

The ranch was founded in 1936 by Cal Thompson and his wife Ruth, who became known for developing new approaches to horse breeding. Their work influenced breeding practices across the country and established methods that other ranchers would later follow.

The property reflects how horse breeding became central to agricultural life in this part of Nebraska for generations. The layout of the buildings and fields shows how the ranch's owners organized their daily work around caring for and raising horses.

Historical documents and items related to the ranch are available through state archives, which help visitors understand what the buildings and land represent. Exploring these records beforehand provides useful context for walking through the site and appreciating what remains.

The ranch is where the American Albino horse breed originated, making it the birthplace of the only registered livestock breed developed entirely within Nebraska. This breed emerged from the specific selection methods and careful work of those who operated the property.