Sod House Ranch

Sod House Ranch is a ranch site in Harney County, Oregon, with eight preserved buildings made from stacked earth blocks. The structures sit in open landscape near Malheur Lake and display the construction methods settlers used in the 1880s.

The ranch was founded in the 1880s as headquarters for a large livestock operation. The site became a key center for ranching in southeastern Oregon.

The buildings here show how settlers adapted to life on the dry high plains when typical building materials were scarce. The sod construction methods reflect the practical creativity required to survive in this remote landscape.

The ranch is accessible through the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, where guided tours explain the construction and ranch operations. Visitors should prepare for open terrain and variable weather in this remote location.

Some buildings use locally sourced juniper and pine timber mixed with sod blocks, showing how settlers cleverly used available resources. This combination of earth and wood was a practical solution adapted to the region's harsh conditions.

Location: Harney County

GPS coordinates: 43.25510,-118.87200

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:26