Collection Summary
Eatons' Ranch (Wyo.)
Eatons' Ranch records
1883-1988
Website capture 2024-ongoing
00296
4.75 cubic
feet (9 boxes)
University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
English
Eaton's Ranch was the first dude ranch in the United States that operated in Wolf, Wyoming. This collection contains the records of the Eatons’ Ranch and the Eaton family.
History of the Eatons' Ranch
Eaton's Ranch was the first dude ranch in the United States, established in 1879 in Medora, North Dakota by Howard Eaton and his brothers, Willis and Alden Eaton. Originally known as the Custer Trail Ranch,
the ranch relocated to Wolf, Wyoming in 1904, where it continued to operate under the Eaton family for generations. The ranch became well-known for its Western hospitality, drawing guests from the East who
sought an authentic ranch experience. It played a foundational role in the growth of the dude ranching industry. Over time, the Eatons expanded their operations, including the acquisition of Rimrock Ranch
in Arizona in 1929, to accommodate guests year-round.
Howard Eaton was an American rancher and one of the founders of the dude ranch industry. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Howard began traveling west in 1868, inspired by the Western frontier. In 1879,
he established the Custer Trail Ranch in North Dakota, later joined by his brothers, Alden and Willis. Howard is credited with coining the term "dudes" for paying ranch guests, which helped shape the
development of dude ranching. He also led tours through Yellowstone National Park, a tradition commemorated by the Howard Eaton Trail, named in his honor for his contributions to Western tourism.
Scope and Content
This collection contains the records of the Eatons’ Ranch and the Eaton family. Included are financial record books, guest books and information, as well as photographs, pamphlets, booklets, newsletters,
newspaper clippings, and a website related to the Eatons’ Ranch. Also included are a guest book and pamphlets for Custer Trail Ranch and Eaton family information, including photographs and biographical
material of Howard Eaton and his brothers. Information about the Howard Eaton Trail in Yellowstone National Park is also included in this collection.
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes,
and the collection is open to the public.
Copyright Information
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright,
property, and libel laws as they apply.
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections
The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are
respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of
reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our
finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event.
Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form.
For more information, read our full statement.
There are no known other archival collections created by the Eatons' Ranch at the date of processing.
The collection was received from Eaton Ranch in 1966 and from Tom and Nancy Ferguson between 1973 and 1984.
This collection was processed by Brittany Heye in September of 2024.
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection
Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Access Terms
Eaton, Howard, 1851-1922.
Eaton, Willis L., d. 1929.
Eaton, F. Alden, 1859-1937.
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.
Rinehart, Mary Roberts, 1876-1958.
Eaton Brothers (Firm)
Dude ranches -- Wyoming.
Dude ranches -- North Dakota.
Tourism -- Wyoming.
Tourism -- North Dakota.
Badlands (N.D.)
North Dakota -- History.
Yellowstone National Park.
Wyoming -- History -- 1890-1918.
Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945.
Wyoming -- History -- 1946-
Eatons’ Ranch (Wyo.)
Custer Trail Ranch (N.D.)
Dude ranchers.
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Ranching
Social Life and Customs
Businesses and Corporations
Wyoming
1Address by Henry Hall at Dedication of the Howard Eaton TrailJuly 19, 1923
1Buffalo newspaper clippingsundated
1Correspondence1902-1935
9Correspondence - Theodore Roosevelt (safe)1902-1912
1, 9Custer Trail Ranch Guest Register (safe and use copies)1883-1903
1Custer Trail Ranch pamphletsundated
1Dedication of the Howard Eaton TrailJuly 19, 1923
1Eaton Family Informationundated
6Eaton Family Scrapbooksundated
1Eaton, F. Alden (1859-1937) newspaper clippings1937
1Eaton, Howard newspaper clippingsundated
1Eaton, Mary "Aunt Mame" (Mrs. Alden) 1870-1957undated
1Eaton, William Alden "Big Bill" newspaper clippingsDecember 21, 1968
5-6, 8Eatons' Ranch Accounts Payable (Books XII-XV)1910-1914
1Eatons' Ranch bookletsundated
3-4Eatons' Ranch Cashbooks (Books I-IV)1902-1912
1Eatons' Ranch Christmas Greeting cards and postersundated
1Eatons' Ranch Guest Lists1957-1987
7Eatons' Ranch Guest Registers1904-1965
4Eatons' Ranch Journals (Books V-VI)1902-1911
5Eatons' Ranch Ledgers (Book VII-IX)1904-1908
1Eatons' Ranch miscellaneousundated
1Eatons' Ranch newspaper clippingsundated
1Eatons' Ranch pamphletsundated
2Eatons' Ranch post cardsundated
2Eatons' Ranch Rate Sheets1972-1988
5Eatons' Ranch Trial Balances (Books X-XI)1912-1917
2Eatons' Ranch "Wranglin' Notes" Envelopesundated
2Elk newspaper clippings1973-1981
2"Horse-Sense" posterundated
2"Howard Eaton" by F. P. Hooverundated
2"Howard Eaton's Horseback Trips" booklet1918-1919
2"In the Open" articles by Howard Eaton1912, undated
2Map of Eatons' Ranch, Wolf, Wyomingundated
2Map of part of the United Statesundated
2Photographs - Custer Trail Ranchundated
2Photographs - Eaton, Billundated
2Photographs - Eaton, F. Aldenundated
2Photographs - Eaton, Howardundated
2Photographs - Eaton, Willis L.undated
2Photographs - Eatons' Ranch, Wolf, Wyomingundated
2Photographs - Rinehart, Mary Roberts1925
2Theodore Roosevelt newspaper clippingsundated
DigitalWebsite: Eatons' Ranch2024- ongoing
2"Wranglin' Notes"1924-1987, undated
2"Wranglin' Notes" Holiday editions1925-1942
2Writings of Howard Eatonundated
2Yellowstone National Park newspaper clippingsundated