Our history…

Our family is so happy to be operating Wade Ranch at Hillsdale Lake. Farming, cattle, country and lake life is such a special part of who we are and what we enjoy as a family.

Wade Ranch has been in our family for over 65 years. Leslie’s grandparents, Walter Sr. and Thelma “Jean” purchased the land, the original house and homestead in 1959 to raise their young family. At that time the house was sitting where Hillsdale Lake’s Wade Branch Access boat ramp is now located. They enjoyed living in their home raising boys, crops and cattle. Sadly, Walter Sr. passed away unexpectedly in 1968, leaving Jean a young widow. Heartbroken, she sold the home, keeping the rest of the adjoining farmland.

At the same time, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers was developing an idea for what would one day become The Hillsdale Lake and Wildlife Area. The land where the house sat was purchased by the Corp and plans were made to demolish the home. Grandma Jean heard of the plan and couldn’t bear the thought of this 100 year old landmark, and the precious memories that went with it, being lost and forgotten forever. She decided to take action and was granted the permission to purchase the home. In 1978, Jean hired a woman by the name of Delores Richman, one of the few woman house movers in the United States, to move the house to another site on the ranch. It was quite a production, requiring multiple pieces to complete the puzzle. Phone and electrical lines were moved to accomodate the large 2-story farm house as it unassumingly traveled “down the road a piece”. Local neighbors, town officials and even a newspaper reporter came out to enjoy the spectacle. Jean’s son Walter Jr., (Leslie’s dad) who had served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and had been working as a pilot on the Alaskan Pipe line, returned home to help run the family farm. Everyone was happy to be back on the ranch that had brought so much joy.

Attention turned to the lake project, and a big project it was! The lake would evntually offer water activites, hunting, horse trails and more on 4580 acres of water and 8000 acres of land. Along with farming, cattle and horses, boating and water skiing were also among Dad’s favorite activities. How we anticipated the day the lake would finally be finished! One of our favorite things to do while we waited was to saddle up the horses and ride around the work area. It was hard to imagine that one day we would be under lake water in that very spot!

When Hillsdlale lake was finished in 1982, it became an integral part of our family’s life and many a summer day was spent enjoying lake activities.

We are so excited to share Wade Ranch with you. Hunting, fishing, boating, and horseback riding are some of the activites that you can enjoy on and near the ranch.

Visit LandTrust.com to view our recreation packages.

We hope and pray it will bring you the joy it has brought to our family over the years. Spend a day or just a couple of hours. Enjoy the peaceful, quiet country life or the excitement of lake life. Whatever you do, Wade Ranch is here for you to enjoy!