Terry Bison Ranch was originally 300,000 acres and owned by Senator F.E. Warren. F.E. Warren came to Wyoming in 1868 at the age of 23 when his Friend A.R. Converse wrote him a letter asking him to come help with his mercantile store because he was ill. Warren lived in the mercantile store for a time, sleeping underneath the counter. As time went on F.. Warren saved enough money to buy half of the Converse Mercantile store and went into a partnership with Converse. A few years later Warren bought Converse out and changed the name to the Warren Mercantile Company.

It became the largest supplier of furniture, hardware and carpet in Wyoming. In 1881, F.E. Warren bought the Terry Ranch from Charles H. Terry and made it the south headquarters for his Warren Livestock Company. By 1888, Warren Livestock owned 3,000 cattle and 60,000 sheep. It was said that F.E. Warren was the "greatest shepherd since Abraham" and by 1890 was the richest person in Wyoming. He was elected the Governor in October 1890 but resigned in November to serve as one of the first Senators of Wyoming, where he served for 35 years.

President Theodore Roosevelt visited Wyoming and Cheyenne several times. He stayed with F.E. Warren several times and was a guest at the Terry Ranch in 1903 and 1910. Warren through him a large dinner party and afterwards Roosevelt had cigars with the 7XL ranch hands in the bunkhouse. General John "Blackjack" Pershing visit the ranch frequently. Pershing married Warren's daughter, Helen Francis.

Before the marriage, Pershing was a Captain, but Warren was determined that his daughter would marry nothing less than a General. Pershing made the jump to Brigadier General almost immediately. Pershing proved to be an excellent General, as he served many years and was a decorated and respected leader.

Tragedy struck both Warren and Pershing in 1915, when Helen Frances and 3 of her children died in a fire at the Presidio Military base in San Francisco CA. Warren Pershing, was her only surviving child and worked for his grandfather at the Terry Ranch when he came home from Harvard. In 1960. the Grazing Association, a group of 17 Coloradans, bought the ranch and divided the land. Ron and Janice Thiel purchased 27.500 acres, the Terry Ranch portion of the land in 1991 for the express purpose of raising bison

TODAY

Was that bison that you saw off the highway? It sure was! They're there. Sometimes they are by the road and sometimes you may have to look a little harder. Anywhere from 2.000 to 3.000 bison roam the 27.500 acres that comprise the ranch. These days they're raised for meat that's leaner and has more protein per pound than beef and is prized by many foodies. Today, under the leadership of Ron and Janice Thiel's son, Dan Thiel, Terry Bison Ranch provides visitors from all over the world, with a whole range of "Old West" experiences from horseback trail rides to bison viewing train tours on the ranch's own rail line. and "the best burger in the state" at the Senator's Steakhouse. The train was built by Ron Thiel, a retired engineer, from old military vehicle parts. So, head out in our privately owned "Iron Horse" onto the prairie for an exciting adventure to visit the bison up close and personal. A whole lot of fun for kids of all ages guests can fish in a rainbow-trout filled pond, pony rides for children two through eight and a menagerie of animals including ostriches, peacocks, alpaca's, a llama, and a variety of common farm livestock such as cows, horses, burrows, chickens, cats and of course don't forget the American Bison.

The Tombstone Caf� serves great biscuits and gravy amongst other homecooked breakfasts. The Tombstone Grille has ice cold sweet treats in the heat of the summer and of course if you're reading this you are enjoying the Senator's Steakhouse. The ranch has 120 RV spaces, cabins for lodging accommodations and is open year-round. "There's no off-season for us anymore" Don't forget to stop by the Trading Post to check out the amazing activities and shop for souvenirs

Thanks for coming to the Terry Bison Ranch