![View of the Spring Creek Ranch from the road.](/sites/default/files/styles/11to5_320x145/public/media/images/2018/SpringCreekRanch_barn_1941_home.jpg?itok=7Ra4vz91)
Centennial Farms & Ranches
Spring Creek Ranch
Archuleta County
The Crowley family acquired Spring Creek Ranch in 1905. Pet Crowley and his wife, Sara, used the land for pasture and hay and raised cattle.
Crowley later sold the ranch to his son, Olen “Dutch” Crowley, who began crossbreeding beef cattle and continued to do so until the early 1960s. He primarily bred Hereford cows during his career. Today, Olen’s nephew, Donald Shahan, and his wife, Fern, own the property. The ranch is 2,561 acres and is still used as pasture land for the Shahan’s cattle.
![The 1941 home at the Spring Creek Ranch.](/sites/default/files/styles/3to2_870x580/public/media/2018-02/springcreekranch_1941_home.jpg?itok=EDxp5ktN)
The 1941 home at the Spring Creek Ranch.
![Dutch and Lenella Crowley picknicking in 1978.](/sites/default/files/styles/3to2_870x580/public/media/2018-02/dutch_lenellacrowley_picnicking_1978.jpg?itok=RKQkUyaK)
Dutch and Lenella Crowley picknicking, 1978.
![Dutch Crowley with winning bulls, 1974.](/sites/default/files/styles/3to2_870x580/public/media/2018-02/dutchcrowley_winning_pen_bulls_1974.jpg?itok=zteH8w1G)
Dutch Crowley with winning bulls, 1974.
![Dutch and Lenella Crowley.](/sites/default/files/styles/3to2_870x580/public/media/2018-02/dutchlenella.jpg?itok=MP7GJI6t)
Dutch and Lenella Crowley.
![Dutch and Lenella Crowley outside the original house near Chromo.](/sites/default/files/styles/3to2_870x580/public/media/2018-02/dutchlenellacrowley_orig_house_chromo.jpg?itok=A9b0kCnz)
Dutch and Lenella Crowley outside the original house near Chromo.
![Dutch Crowley engaged in a bit of ditch maintenance, 1985.](/sites/default/files/styles/3to2_870x580/public/media/2018-02/springcreekranch.jpg?itok=ySbH-U85)
Dutch Crowley, 1985.