Fore Ranch history

Forester paid a mere 50 cents per acre of the vast Texas plains around 1852 and established a cattle ranch, still known today as the historic “Forester Ranch.” Because the region was still relatively unsettled, Forester had to contend with the roving native peoples of North Texas.

In 1858, he built a trading post and way station alongside the Santa Fe Trail just two miles from Pecos Pueblo.

In 1876, the gold rush brought thousands of miners to the town of Deadwood, while simultaneously attracting businessmen.

On the Fourth of July in 1877 a wagon trail brought three notable businessmen to the Black Hills: John Hunter, W.E. Adams, and Henry Frawley.

The Centennial Valley Schoolhouse was built in 1880 and provided education to the children of the homesteads and ranches in the area.

The cabin built in 1884, has the original square-cut logs, which are preserved because Grant covered them from the outside with horizontal siding.

Lock left the ranch and moved to Denton in 1890.

In 1891, Henry bought the land where the Centennial Park Hotel and Post Office had been located.

Henry Frawley bought the acreage in 1912, and the house was later used to board his ranch hands.

The property remained in the Kozlowski family until the 1920s.

In 1925, a colorful entrepreneur purchased parcels of land along the river, including Kozlowski's Trading Post.

Jum kept his share until he sold it in the 1930’s.

In 1941, the Forked Lightning Ranch was purchased by Col.

After Ed’s death in 1943, Bess moved to Sanger and without any biological children, there was no family member to leave the ranch to.

In 1949 Fogelson married Hollywood actress Greer Garson, and the couple used the property as their part-time residence for the rest of their lives.

In 1950, Greer Garson Fogelson imported a small herd of white Shorthorn cattle from Scotland, but they proved unable to withstand the climate.

In 1958 Buddy Fogelson purchased a registered Santa Gertrudis bull named "Gee-Gee" and three heifers.

Billy Grant's original homestead lays right where Interstate 90 meets Highway 85, all but one of the buildings were moved when the interstate was built in 1970, cutting through the ranch.

A wing of the hospital was dedicated to them until its bankruptcy in 1987 and destruction a few years later.

Greer Garson Fogelson last visited the Ranch in 1990.