Agate Fossil Beds Administrative History

Statistics for a National Monument

The Department of the Interior's background report, Proposed Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, was updated for the new 89th Congress. Compiled by the Midwest Regional Office, the report was an admirable document. In straight-forward terms it spelled out the precise dimension of the initiative and left few "holes" open to question by meticulous congressmen.

The Magdanz land appraisal was completed on January 14, 1965, and incorporated into the updated report. Magdanz prorated the appraised and assessed values which included both land and improvements. The following is an excerpt from his report: [1]

The Department report stated that all the privately-owned land was used primarily for grazing with some native hay production along the Niobrara River. The Service recommended grazing eventually be eliminated, but current grazing could be continued during the lifetime of the landowners only in areas not needed for park development. Of the six landowners, only three families actually lived within the proposed boundary at two ranch headquarters. The Hoffman ranch consisted of a house, cattle sheds, corrals, and other support structures at an estimated value of $25,000. The second was the Cook's Agate Springs Ranch with two houses, one for Mrs. Cook and the other for her ranch foreman and family. Together with cattle sheds, corrals, irrigation systems, and other support facilities, the improvements were estimated at $50,000. With severance damages (five ownerships) combined with total values of land and improvements and road rights-of-way, the Service offer on the six ownerships of 3,080 acres was: [2]

The report recounted Margaret C. Cook's offer to donate sufficient land for a monument headquarters and quarrying rights at the fossil beds, including road access and provisions for exploration and development for scientific and educational purposes. Also outlined was the promised donation of the famous Cook Collection if the monument was established before the Nebraska centennial. Statements on the interests and attitudes of the other principal landowners along with long-range preservation goals were also included:

Three of the six owners appear to be willing to consider the sale of their affected land. One of these, Mr. George H. Hoffman, is willing to consider the sale of land essential for development of the quarries, but is not interested in the sale of any other land now. He wants to continue his cattle ranching operations. The other owner, Mr. Harold Skavdahl, does not want to sell any land that is near the Niobrara River. He is willing, however, to negotiate for the sale of right-of-way for a road to the Stenomylus Quarry. One property, the estate of the late Dr. Harold J. Cook, is now under joint ownership between his four daughters with his wife retaining a life estate and control of livestock. The collective attitude of this group is not known. [Emphasis added by author.]

Preservation of portions of the area by easement might be a possibility provided the costs were considerably less than acquisition in fee simple. Certain arrangements, such as continued grazing and life tenancy, probably could be worked out so as to achieve the long-range preservation objectives of the National Park Service, and also minimize the inconvenience to present landowners. Zoning in this portion of the State does not appear to be effective enough at this time to be a realistic means of assuring preservation. [3]

A staffing summary was included to prove the extent of the Service's commitment to the future development of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument:

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*The Museum Technician would assist the Museum Geologist in the preparation of fossil exhibits, and his work, including quarrying and reliefing of fossils in the presence of visitors, would be an important part of the interpretive program.

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*This position would be abolished after the fourth year when the fossil reliefing planned at Carnegie Hill site as the major in-place exhibit would be completed.

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