Harney County, Oregon’s history is rich with ranching and farming details. Especially the area around the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which was expanded by the government through purchasing the surrounding 19th century ranches in the vicinity. One example of such properties that fell on such fate is the P Ranch that was originally owned by the cattle baron, Pete French.

The P Ranch is a historic site in Oregon, being the headquarters of the French-Glenn Livestock Company back in the 1800s. However, when Pete French was murdered, the ranch was sold off by the company. It was finally acquired by the government in 1935 and became a part of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Most of P Ranch’s original structures were destroyed in the mild 1900s, but some still remain standing today inside the wildlife refuge. These buildings are now mostly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.