Guiraud-McDowell Ranch
Park County
The Guiraud-McDowell Ranch was established by the Guiraud family in 1862 and quickly became one of South Park’s preeminent ranch operations. After her husband Adolphe’s death in 1875, Marie Guiraud continued to grow ranch operations, taking advantage of the arrival of the railroad in Park County by platting the nearby town of Garo.
Guiraud-McDowell Ranch
In 1943, James McDowell, Sr. purchased the ranch and initiated a major rebuilding and modernization effort, reflecting evolving trends in stock raising. The ranch illustrates the history of agriculture in Park County from the early settlement of the region in the 1860s through the mid-twentieth century.