The Spanish Ranch - Nevada

Historic Nevada Cattle Ranch Photographs

Ellison Ranching Co.

Northern Nevada is home to some of the most historic cattle ranches in the country. In fact, if you look north of I80 on a map, that entire swath of land is comprised of almost nothing but cattle country and ranches that date back to the late 1800’s. I was lucky to spend some time recently on the Spanish Ranch in Tuscarora, Nevada owned by the famed Ellison Ranching company. To say that the ranch has a rich history would be an understatement. The Ellison’s started there in 1910, but buckaroos were running cattle in that country long before then. And many of the old traditions still continue today, which is evident in the way the cowboys work as well as their dress and tack used on their horses.

When it comes to cowboy photography, each cattle ranch in every part of the country has something that makes it really special, but I have to admit to being partial those in Nevada. There’s something about the Sage Brush Sea that’s particularly mesmerizing. Combine that with the buckaroo style and their horsemanship, and you’ve got a perfect trifecta.

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Black and white photograph of horses kicking up dust

Horses kicking up dust in a corral at The Spanish Ranch in Nevada

Photograph of a cowboy riding through open range in the American West

Riding through open range

Photograph with motion blur of cowboys dragging calves on a ranch in Nevada

Buckaroos dragging calves to the branding fire

Photograph with motion blur of a cowboys boot in a stirrup while riding his horse

Motion blur cowboy photograph

Black and white photograph of The Spanish Ranch in Tuscarora, Nevada

The Spanish Ranch - Tuscarora, NV

Photograph of a cowboy getting into his canvas teepee

Buckaroo getting into his teepee

Black and white photograph of buckaroos gathering cattle in open country on a ranch in Nevada
Leather fringe sways on a cowboys chaps as he brands a cow

Leather fringe on a pair of cowboy chaps

Black and white portrait of a Nevada buckaroo

Nick Donker

Black and white photograph of teepees set up at cow camp on a historic cattle ranch in Nevada

Cow Camp at The Spanish Ranch in Nevada

Photograph of buckaroos branding cattle in northern Nevada
Black and white photograph of a cow boss catching horses lined up on a rope in a cloud of dust

Pack of horses in a cloud of dust

Group photo of cowboys on their horses in front of a beautiful cloudy sky in the American West

Group photo of cowboys on the Spanish Ranch

Black and white photograph of a horses running through dust
Photograph of a cowboy riding a bucking horse in early morning light on a cattle ranch

Early morning bronc ride

Cowboys working cattle on a ranch in Nevada