Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford RanchSieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch at the mouth of Gates of the Mountains, north of Helena, MontanaJuly 26, 2007. We are staying in Lincoln Road RV-Park Helena, Montana less than a mile west of I-15 at exit 200. Lincoln Road RV-Park is about 10-miles north of downtown Helena but in a very good position access everything in the area. $25.04 with Good Sam discount plus-taxes for FHU in nice gravel pull thru sites with some shade. Free wifi was available but no cable TV.
On our way to take a boat ride on the Missouri River through what is know as Gates of the Mountains, we stopped to learn about the Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch. Access to Gates of the Mountains & the Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch are located 19-miles north of Helena from exit 209 on I-15. After taking the exit at MM 209 we stopped at a pullout to read the historical information provided. We were at the border of two historic ranches that count themselves among Montana's oldest. Most of these ranch lands still look largely as they did even before Lewis and Clark came through in 1805. The Hilger and Sieben Ranches have their genesis in the late 1800s. The Sieben Ranch and the Hilger Hereford Ranch played central roles in the origin and development of agriculture in Montana. Together, they encompass most of the lands stretching from here to Wolf Creek Canyon about 8-miles north. The Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch typify the history and challenges of ranching in Montana. Today, on their own and with the added help of a program called Undaunted Stewardship, both ranches preserve their historic sites and take actions designed to maintain the landscape's body and soul. Undaunted Stewardship is a statewide partnership involving 19 agricultural and conservation groups in Montana managed and directed by Montana State University, the Montana Stockgrowers Association and the federal Bureau of Land Management. The program helps preserve historic sites and encourages sustainable stewardship on private rangelands. Undaunted Stewardship certifies farms and ranches that use state-of-the-science land management practices. These Undaunted Land Stewards protect the long-term health and productivity of Montana's natural resources. Undaunted Stewardship partners with farms and ranches to preserve historic sites and find ways to share them with the public. In some cases, the program also helps with the development of new tourist-service businesses like campgrounds, trail rides and guest ranches. By generating new revenue, these businesses improve the odds that farmers and ranchers will be able to continue preserving the scenic beauty and natural environment of their private agricultural lands.
The stories that go with the owners of these ranches is worth telling. Henry Sieben never owned a pair of cowboy boots. He was known for wearing suits and low-cut shoes, even when working at the ranch. In his later years, he led a life unlike that of most ranchers, headquartering in Helena and wintering in California. Sieven started with nothing and built one of Montana's largest livestock companies. He was widely respected for his business savvy and philantrophic good works. Five years old when he came to America from Germany --- and orphaned by the age of 12, Sieben was drawn here by news of gold strikes. He arrived with his brothers in 1864 when he was 17, on a wagon train led by legendary explorer John Bozeman. At first, Sieven and his brothers freighted supplies from Fort Benton to mining camps around Virginia City. By the time he acquired his first land holdings in this area, in 1897, he had been in the sheep business for more than 20 years and his reputation as one of the state's most successful ranchers was well established. Steadily, he bought smaller ranches in the area, often hiring their previous owners. Henry Sieben co-founded the Montana Woolgrowers Association, and his wife, Alberta, started Montana's first orphanage, in Helena. They funded the orphanage for 25 years. When Sieben died, half of his ranch went to his daughter Margaret Sieben Hibbard, whose descendants operate it still (Sieben Livestock, near Cascade). The other half of the ranch-- nearly 100 square miles--went to his other daughter, Bernice Sieven Sheriff, whose grandson and great-grandson manage the Sieven Ranch today.
Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch in Montana
This picture looks across the the valley occupied by these two ranches.
Carefully timed grazing by sheep and goats helps reduce the spread of weeds that other animals don't eat. Both the Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch use natural methods as well as chemicals to control weeds and sustain rangeland productivity. It's an endless task, as weeds continually invade--their seeds brought in by vehicle tires, people's shoes, wind and wildlife. But minimizing weeds is essential to maintaining habitat for wildlife as well as food for livestock.
Ranching, anchored in the land's own natural productivity, is one of the main reasons so many of the Lands around us still look as they did centuries ago. Rangeland vegetation developed and thrived for thousands of years with seasonal yet heavy grazing by wild animals being central to the process. Today, wildlife remain in abundant numbers, and livestock grazing helps the rangeland sustain itself. With careful management, the Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch deliberately create environmental benefits to fish and wildlife, while also producing superior beef, lamb, wool and other commodities. The ranches control where, when, and for how long grazing takes place, and give each pasture periods of rest. Just as trimming houseplants stimulates their growth, when sheep and cattle eat vegetation at the right time and to the right extent, the grazing creates hardier plants and increases plant growth. When livestock graze late in the year, after plants have formed seeds, their hooves help drive seeds into the soil. This increases the successful planting of new vegetation that sustains the environment.
Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch in Montana
This is more of the property that makes up the Sieben Ranch and Hilger Hereford Ranch in Montana.
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Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
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