- Parker Ranch
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Parker Ranch grazing lands.
Parker Ranch is a working cattle ranch on the Island of Hawaii in the state of Hawaii, now run by a charitable trust.
Contents
History
The ranch was founded in 1847 and is one of the oldest ranches in the United States, pre-dating many mainland ranches in Texas and other southwestern states by more than 30 years. Spreading across approximately 135,000 acres (55,000 ha) of the island, Parker Ranch is also among the nation’s largest cattle ranches.[1]
A cowboy on the ranch is called a paniolo (Hawaiian language pronunciation of Spanish: Espanol), since the first cowboys were Spanish-speaking and came from California. The Hawaiian language does not have the "s" sound.
During World War II, part of the ranch was used as a United States Marine Corps training base called Camp Tarawa. The Fifth Marine Division conducted training maneuvers there in preparation for the assault of Iwo Jima.
The founder of the Ranch was John Palmer Parker who assisted Kamehameha I in ridding the island of feral bulls and was granted land on which he established the ranch. From 1899 to 1937 it was managed by Alfred Wellington Carter (1867–1949). The last owner of the ranch, the actor Richard Smart, died in 1992, after which the Ranch was governed by the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust.
Two of the ranch's historic homes, Puuopelu and Mana Hale, are open for tours. A visitors center is located at the Parker Ranch shopping center, 67-1435 Mamalahoa Highway.[2]
The ranch headquarters and a racetrack are located off the Hawaii Belt Road at coordinates 20°0′34″N 155°40′17″W / 20.00944°N 155.67139°WCoordinates: 20°0′34″N 155°40′17″W / 20.00944°N 155.67139°W.[3]
Family tree
John Palmer Parker
(1790–1868)Kipikane
(1800–1860)John Palmer Parker II
(1827–1891)Ebenezer Parker
(1829-1855)Kilia Nahoalani Mary Ann Kaulalani
(1819–1859)Mary Parker Woods
(1851–1909)Harriet Panana Napela
(1852–1901)Samuel Parker
(1853-1920)Abigail Campbell
(1858–1908)Others James Frank Woods
(1872–1930)Eva K. Parker
(1874–1922)John Palmer Parker III
(1875–1894)Elizabeth Jane Lanakila Dowsett
(1872–1943)Others Others Henry Gaillard Smart Annie Thelma Parker
(1894–1914)Richard Smart
(1913–1992)References
- ^ "Hawaii Ranch: Parker Ranch, Big Island Hawaii". official web site. Parker Ranch, Inc.. http://www.parkerranch.com/Parker-Ranch. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
- ^ "Parker Ranch Visitors Center and Museum". web site. Hawaii Museums Association. http://www.hawaiimuseums.org/mc/ishawaii_ParkerRvisitor.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Parker Ranch Racetrack
Further reading
- Billy Bergin (2003). Loyal to the Land: The Legendary Parker Ranch, 750-1950. volume 1. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0824826922. http://books.google.com/books?id=iToXn2GGHpQC.
- Billy Bergin (2006). Loyal to the Land: The Legendary Parker Ranch 1950-1970. volume 2. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 9780824830861. http://books.google.com/books?id=hz9yycANu4kC.
- Joseph Brennan (September 2004). Parker Ranch of Hawaii: The Saga of a Ranch and a Dynasty. Mutual Publishing Company. ISBN 9781566476829.
External links
- Official website
- "Welcome to Parker Ranch Center". store directory web site. http://www.parkerranchcenterads.com. Retrieved 2010-03-17.
Categories:- Buildings and structures in Hawaii County, Hawaii
- Ranches in the United States
- Historic house museums in Hawaii
- Museums in Hawaii County, Hawaii
- Rural history museums in Hawaii
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