The Ward Ranch in Saguache was homesteaded by Nathan Ward, a veteran of the civil war. While serving in the Union Forces, he helped build Ft. Garland. On of his other duties was hunting to provide meat for the soldiers. On one excursion on Mt. Blanca, he looked through his binoculars and saw the beautiful area of Saguache Creek and determined then to settle there after the war. Hay and cattle are raised on the ranch. Nathan's great grandson Larry operates the cattle ranch today.