The Historic Cannonball Ranch 7700 Acre Missouri River Ranch, Cannonball, ND Start Price - Current Price - Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, May 19, 2008 End Time Sunday, August 17, 2008 Location Mandan, North Dakota See more about 'The Historic Cannonball Ranch' Description The Cannonball Ranch        The Historic Cannonball Ranch is truly one of a kind.  With an un-surpassing beauty that can only be matched by its unique history; this slice of the Old Wild West could be yours!  Cannonball Ranch, lies 35 miles south of Bismarck, North Dakota, and borders several miles of shoreline along the Missouri River; the great waterway of American Indians, fur trappers, Lewis and Clark, and many others.  The Ranch itself was first explored by the ever famed Lewis and Clark Expedition of the early 1800's.  Filled with rolling hills and abundant wildlife Meriwether Lewis and William Clark knew they had entered into a vast and new territory as they first ventured through The Cannonball Ranch along the banks of the mighty Missouri River.            The Cannonball River, which stretches through the scenic southern end of the land, merges into the Missouri River on the Southwestern corner of the property.  The river is named after the fascinating cannonball concretions, or cannonball-shaped sedimentary rock formations, which form along its banks.  See a picture of these peculiar cannonball-shaped rocks below as well as an excerpt from Captain William Clark's journal describing his arrival to the entrance of the Cannonball River.             The confluence of the Cannonball and Missouri Rivers has served as a gathering point and social center ever since 1865.  In the days of the Pioneers, the site was the headquarters of a major ranching operation; hosted a river ferry crossing, a steamboat landing, a hotel and a general store.  The general store later became an area post office, polling place; and eventually, the site of a telephone switchboard between Fort Yates and Mandan.  R.M. Johnson, who was one of the first white settlers to the area, started the ranch in the 1860's.  Then Henry S. Parkin purchased it and several thousand neighboring acres in 1883.  The ranch site ended up including two houses, a barn, a blacksmith shop, bunkhouse, icehouse, laundry and even a tennis court.  A herd of several hundred head of cattle, mules, sheep and horses grazed the majestic rolling hills and wide open prairies.  Mr. Parkin was a Territorial Legislator and later a State Senator, who married Alma Galpin, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.  After Mrs. Galpin's death in 1913 the ranch passed through other ownership and eventually became the first ranch to be inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1999.  Filled with countless fish, and lined with majestic prairie hills, bluffs and rugged ravines teeming with wildlife as well as Native American and Pioneer artifacts, this stretch of the Missouri River Valley has something for everyone.                 Today this North Dakota jewel consists of 7700 acres bordered by two major rivers, and is accessible from the historic Lewis and Clark Trail (Highway #1806) which stretches through the heart of the property.  The Cantepeta Creek also meanders through the property diagonally, merging into the Cannonball River just before its confluence into the Missouri.  The landscape is dominated by rugged wooded ravines, buttes, rolling hills, bluffs, native grasses and wild flowers.  Ranch headquarters consists of a three bedroom home, heated shop, 14 x 70 mobile home, pole building, 3 wells, 43 water tanks, impeccable fences and corrals reinforced for Buffalo as well as 24 cross fenced pastures; and remains perfect for any livestock operation.  The property also includes 429 acres of Corps Leased land along the Missouri River and Cannonball River.  The Cannonball Ranch is filled with abundant wildlife, including Pheasant, Turkey, Grouse, Prairie Chicken, Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Migratory Waterfowl, Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer and Antelope.  The waterways are filled with Walleye and Northern Pike making this property the ideal sportman's paradise.         Summary: Unique History On the Lewis and Clark Trail 2.5 Miles Along the Missouri River 4 Miles Along the Cannonball River The Cantepeta Creek 7,700 Deeded Acres Corps Lease Included (429 Acres along Two Rivers) 3 Wells Piped to 43 Water Tanks Rural Water Great Fences and Corrals Reinforced for Buffalo Cross Fenced into 24 Pastures Prairie Knights Casino - With Entertainment, Dining and Lodging 11 Miles South of the Ranch Three Bedroom House Heated Shop 14 x 70 Mobile Home Pole Building  Perfect for any Livestock Operation Excellent Hunting/Fishing Abundant Wildlife:  Pheasants, Turkeys, Grouse, Prairie Chickens, Bald Eagles, Migratory Waterfowl, Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer and Antelope  Native Grasses and Wildflowers   The Lewis and Clark Expedition, while heading up the Missouri River, first arrived at the entrance of the Cannonball River on Thursday, October 18th of 1804.  Captain Clark, who was quite fascinated with this region, recorded this excerpt in his journal about the Cannonball:               "Set out early, proceeded on at 6 mls passed the mouth of (1) la Boulet (or Cannon Ball River) about 140 yards wide on the L.S.....above the mouth of the river Great numbers of Stone perfectly round with fine grit are in the Bluff and on the Shore, the river takes it's name from those Stones which resemble Cannon Balls.  The water of this river is confined within 40 yards.........Saw Great numbers of Goats on the S.S. coming to the river our hunters Killed 4 of them.  Some run back and other crossed & proceded on their journeys to the Court Nou  at (3) passed a Small River called Che wah or fish river on the S.S.  this river is about 28 yards wide and heads to the N.E. passed a small creek on the L.S. 1 mile above the last, and camped on a Sand bar on the L.S.   opposite to us we Saw a Gangue of Buffalow bulls which we did not think worth while to kill.  Our hunters killed 4 Coats 6 Deer 4 Elk & a pelican & informs that they saw in one gang: 248 Elk,.....The Countrey in this Quarter is Generally level & fine some high Short hills, and some ragid ranges of Hills at a distance."     This Ranch may be Perfect For ....     Livestock Operation, including Buffalo or Elk  A wonderful Hunting/Fishing Retreat due to abundant wildlife.       (Casino only 11 miles away). A very unique Resort/Tourism Location.  The land's natural beauty, history and location along the Missouri creates phenomenal development opportunities. Wind Energy Farm due to major powerline accessibility, the high prairie hills, and North Dakota's infamously strong winds, Excavation of potential abundant Gravel Deposits.  Seller to retain 50% gravel deposits rights. Shooting Location for Hollywood Movies. The Individual that needs to escape the rat race!   This spectacular, once in a lifetime property could be yours!  For more information contact Tina Andrew of Gerharter-Realtors, Aberdeen, South Dakota via phone at 605-290-3177, or via email at tina@abe.midco.net.  Go to www.thecannonballranch.com for hundreds of pictures and virtual video tour of entire ranch (currently under construction).  Sincerely interested parties only!  This property wont remain on the market for long.  Call now to be the proud owner of this amazing piece of land so rich with the Great American history of the Old Wild West.       The information contained herein was obtained from sources believed reliable.  However, GERHARTER-REALTORS, the Seller and or its representatives, Brokers or Agents, make no guarantees as to the accuracy of the information provided on this property and offer the property without expressed or implied warranty of any kind.  Lot and building sizes are approximate.  Any projections, opinions, assumptions, or estimates used are for example only and do not represent the current or future performance of the property.  Seller and Broker make no representation as to the condition or state of property and recommend Purchaser's independent investigation.   Place a Bid!