"I had known about Kiel Ranch for some time now ... one of the last remaining pieces of pioneer Nevada left in the Las Vegas Valley. It's funny because when I arrived here, camera in hand, of course, I was immediately pursued by one a security guard in a golf cart. He glared at me with stern eyes barking out the question, "What are you doing?" It wasn't a friendly northern Nevada welcome that follows after you accidentally stumble into a rural saloon. This was met with a ultimatum-like stare, radio fastened in his other hand. "Kyle Ranch is one of most historic places in Nevada. Did you know that?," I replied. I went about my business as he half-ass stared at me from his golf cart making sure I wasn't a fiend as I snapped away pictures. Twenty minutes later, I left him with this remark ... "You should read up on its history some time." -- March 2009

2465 Kiel Way, Kiel Ranch Historic Park -- North Las Vegas

Las Vegas & Clark County
36.203637, -115.140787

Original Date Visited: 3/15/09
Last Revisited: 10/22/22
Signed: No

Notes: The approach to - 224 - comes up fast and is impossible to spot if you're headed eastbound on Carey. Approach this marker by turning left from Losee Rd then look for Kiel Way. Oddly, there is no sign for Kiel Ranch Historic Park. This is unfortunate because the city really did a decent job in upgrading this park! When in doubt, look for the business complex on the right when approaching Kiel from the east. Maybe my problems were heard because Kiel Park was given a huge parking lot. Spend a half-hour and walk the grounds for a quick trip back in time.

For the marker's upgrade during Nevada's 150th sesquicentennial, the SHPO thought it was a good idea to paste this one on the backside of the main restroom building. Why, we have no idea. During a revisit in 2022, I walked the entire park and never saw the marker. I never thought to look at the bathroom building! I only found it after the fact thanks to a fellow hunter. This one would be much better placed at the main ranch building, or anywhere along the walking trail where you'll find no shortage of interpretive kiosks.

Street View

Here's what you'll see!

Exact Description:
Established by Conrad Kiel in 1875, this was one of the only two major ranches in Las Vegas Valley throughout the 19th century. The Kiel tenure was marked by violence. Neighboring rancher Archibald Stewart was killed in a gunfight here in 1884. Edwin and William Kiel were found murdered on the ranch in October 1900.

The San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad purchased the ranch in 1903 and later sold it to Las Vegas banker John S. Park, who built the elegant white mansion.

Subsequent owners included Edwin Taylor (1924-39), whose cowboy ranch hands competed in national rodeos, and Edwin Losee (1939-58), who developed the Boulderado Dude Ranch here, a popular residence for divorce seekers.

In the late 1950's, business declined and the ranch was sold. In 1976, 26 acres of the original ranch were purchased jointly by the City of North Las Vegas and its Bicentennial Committee as a historic project.