[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 133 (Tuesday, October 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   150TH ANNIVERSARY OF RANKIN RANCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED WHITFIELD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 2013

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw to the attention of 
the House of Representatives the 150th anniversary of the Rankin Ranch 
located at the end of California's southern Sierras in northeastern 
Kern County. This quiet ``old west'' community in the little mountain 
valley of Walker Basin is home to the historic 31,000 acre Rankin 
Cattle and Guest Ranch now under the operation of the 4th, 5th and 6th 
generation of the Rankin family.
  The Quarter Circle U Rankin Ranch was founded by Walker Rankin in 
1863. Walker married Lavinia Estelle Lightner in 1868, laying the 
foundation for the family that has made cattle their family passion for 
generations. The ranch has evolved with the nation, serving as a stage 
stop for the overland mail route in the 1870s.
  The years have brought times of triumph and times of tragedy, 
including a car accident that claimed the life of Walker and Lavinia's 
son and daughter in law in 1929. Similarly in 1954, after the sudden 
death of third generation, Leroy Rankin, at age of forty-two, his wife 
Helen ultimately decided to continue her husband's lifetime work and 
was thrust into the family business. But her new perspective would 
prove useful to the business, when in 1965, Helen decided to diversify 
by adding a guest ranch to her cattle operation.
  Today, Bill and Glenda Rankin and their children, and their 
grandchildren all live on the ranch, and run both the cattle and guest 
ranch businesses.
  I am proud to recognize the Rankin Ranch and the six generations of 
Rankins that have worked to ensure the survival of one of California's 
oldest and largest family owned ranches. Like thousands of other guests 
at Rankin Ranch, I have fond memories of the beauty of the countryside 
and great respect for the hard work and dedication of the Rankin 
family. Since 1863 they have been superb stewards of this magnificent 
land and gracious hosts for a public anxious to experience life on a 
ranch.
  Congratulations on the 150th Anniversary of Rankin Ranch--a true 
American treasure.