History

The Alpine Ranch was first established in 1898 By Arthur W. Tegart. By 1903 the family had 12 milk cows, 300 Hereford cattle, pigs, poultry, a large vegetable garden and hay fields under cultivation.

The Tegart men's livelihoods have been connected with cattle and horses - riding horses, work horses, carriage horses and race horses. Rodeos were held every Sunday, in a corral near the Alpine Ranch gate. The Indians and other Valley people attended these Sunday rodeos.

Mrs. Tegart, a tiny woman but of great strength, looked after a large vegetable garden and did all the canning. She made her own yeast from hops grown on the ranch and baked 10 loaves of bread, twice a week. She churned her own butter and cheese, picked huckleberries, made pies and bottled fruit for winter use. Mary Louise made pin money by supplying the camps with milk, butter, cheese and eggs.

Water from the creek, 3 whiskey barrels at a time, was supplied to the house. Saturday night was bath night, as the whole family including the 12 children attended church in the Presbyterian Church in Windermere on Sundays.

The Ranch, situated on the main road (or trail) Windermere south to Fairmont, had lots of visitors and no one passed by without stopping for refreshments, rest and a visit.