History of Diamond O Ranch by Delmer Olson, 1976

Brief History of Diamond O Ranch

By Delmer L. Olson

Written about 1976

This ranch on the Station Creek, the south extremity of Mink Creek is now known as the Diamond O Ranch.  It was first homesteaded by my Grandfather Lars E. Olson and his oldest son Lehi.  It comprised approximately 320 acres some acres have been sold others purchased.  It presently comprises 484 ½ acres. The major crops have been grains and hay, with livestock, milk cows and beef.  Hogs and chickens have also contributed to a good living on this farm which has supported 3 generations. 

            Lars E Olson and his good wife Anna had found the LDS Church in Sweden and followed the urge with the usual hardships to come to Zion.  They first came to Logan Utah where their 14 year old son Lehi had settled two years before.

            They had heard of land available through the homestead act about 12 miles NE of Preston.  A hundred sixty acres was chosen at the head of a small stream called Snake Creek a tributary to Station Creek.  This land (part of which is a basin) is very productive so a small cabin and stable with dirt roofs were erected.  Lehi also had a tract of land west of this area of 160 acres but because of some discrepancies only 80 acres of this tract remain as the Diamond O Ranch..

            Later on 18 acres of the original 160 was sold to Martin Christensen because it sloped towards Bear Creek and a forty acre plot was bought from Hyrum Bell.  Some trading was done with Andrew Hansen to avoid gates and going through each others fields.  Aunt Selma Berquist had a homestead on the southwest hills but was unable to prove up on it so Father purchased and additional 160 acres from the U. S. Government.  Diamond O Ranch now comprises 484 ½ acres less right of way for roads and canals.

            Grandfather Lars had built and lived in 3 different homes the third in which we now live being what was said to be the first 2 story hours in Mink Creek.  Naturally, it has been remodeled extensively.  He had surrounded this house with a picket fence covering 2 acres,  planted a very fine orchard, shade trees, dug ditches, cleared and plowed over a hundred acres and by 1900 had sold the place to Gustaf his son, my father and moved to River Heights.

            A log barn 100 feet long by 24 feet had been built.  A few years later Uncle Lehi built a hay barn 18 feet to the square and spanned the log part with rafters and shingles.  The barn boasted a steel track with rope and pulleys to cover loose hay.

Hay, grain and livestock have been the main source of livelihood for the 3 generations who have lived here.  Horse drawn implements such as the sulky gang and two-way plow, the wood and tandom disk harrows.  Fist the scythe and then the cradle and movwing machine, Osborne, McKormich and  and dump rakes were used.  The first self dump rake was purchased in 1904 for $35.00 and was used until 1944 when a new one was purchased for $65.00.  Since that time modern tractor, side delivery rakes, mowers, hay binders and bailers have been used to harvest an abundance of hay.

            Grain was harvested with the dropper, the header binder, pull type combines and finally the side hill, self-propelled combine.  The horse- power threshing machine has been owned and used by the occupants as well as steam and gasoline powered threshing machines.  Sometimes yields of 65 bushel per acre on dry land was harvested.

            Shorthorn and Holstein milking cows and cattle have been the best livestock investments.  However, the hog has been a good source of income and provided meat as well.  Chickens have played their part at first replenishing with the old setting hen and later purchased from a commercial hatchery.

            Game have abounded on this ranch: the rabbit, squirrel, coyote, badger, deer, and bobcat.  They have been a source of interest and sport.

            Irrigation has played a small part but great in labor.  One ditch began at the head of station creek canyon and was dug over three miles of ditch witch only a decreed right of 10.06 (?) second feet of water.  Water has been taken and used from Snake Creek, Station Creek, Second Hollow and Fist Hollow.  At present a storage pond with electric pump is used.  Also 100 acres are irrigated by gravity sprinkling system from Preston/Riverdale canal.