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• Trailhead Lodging Area Main Lodge

Johnsons Share Heritage Through Prairie Rides

Just five minutes from town, sitting on the plains, the old weathered buildings rest. On a sunny day, looking out over the vast prairie, you can see the shadows of enormous pillow clouds that blow across the sky. Looking out, you may see a group returning on horseback, having just been treated to a pleasure ride through the Big Hollow Valley, which provides summer pasture from the cattle and a pleasure riding wonderland of wide-open spaces.

Located on a cattle ranch established over 150 years ago, Prairie Rides is home to six generations of Johnsons. The first generation, James Jensen and his two brothers, arrived on the American east coast in the mid 1800’s in search of a new life. Thus, the Johnson legacy began.

After battling unemployment for a short while, the brothers decided to hit the rails and traveled through the territories along with the railroad. One day, while working in a small mining town called Laramie, Andrew Johnson was captured by Native Americans and taken to an unknown location. His brothers tried to find their kidnapped sibling, but to no avail.