The Smith Ranch was first homesteaded in the late 1880s as two separate 160-acre parcels by Louis Hurtgen and Karl Strickner, eventually coming into sole ownership under Karl Strickner. In 1918, Strickner’s ranch was bought by William J. and Lula Smith, where the Smiths farmed potatoes, oats, barley, rye, and native hay. They also raised horses and cattle and cut timber for lumber and railroad ties. William and Lula passed on the ranch to their son Jack, who eventually passed it on to his son Webb, the ranch’s current owner. Webb Smith continues to raise cattle on the 320 acres purchased by his grandparents 100 years ago.