Last updated: January 22, 2022
Place
Standing Sentinel
NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
Cant Ranch Historic District
Significance:
James and Elizabeth Cant starting a new life in Oregon.
The Officers cleared land for fields, established a garden, and planted a fruit orchard. They hand dug an irrigation ditch originating on Rock Creek at its confluence with the John Day River, more than two miles to the south of the homestead. The ditch wound in and out of draws and around foothills, so a sixteen-foot 2x4 with a level was used to maintain the necessary grade to keep the water moving to the fields.
One wonders at the thoughts Lizzie must have had when she received the letter from James asking her to join him in Oregon. Lizzie's decision to come here meant leaving the only home she knew for an unknown and rugged place far away from family and friends, but also the beginning of a new life with the man she loved.
James married Elizabeth Grant in 1908. Capturing that moment in time, Lizzie penned a note on the back of their wedding photo "it was the Start twords the happyest days of our Lives".
James purchased the 677 acre Officer Ranch, with water rights, one band of 1200 sheep, and some cattle, all for $6,900. James and Lizzie settled into the isolated two bedroom ranch house with their one-year old son and started the business of sheep ranching. Travel to the homestead was difficult as there was still no road through Picture Gorge until 1920.
The Cants
With just $25 in his pocket, James Cant immigrated to America in 1905. he worked for the Murray Ranch in the Dayville area, taking half his wages in lambs each year so he could put together his own band of sheep. By 1907, James had saved enough money to send to Scotland for his sweetheart, Elizabeth Grant.One wonders at the thoughts Lizzie must have had when she received the letter from James asking her to join him in Oregon. Lizzie's decision to come here meant leaving the only home she knew for an unknown and rugged place far away from family and friends, but also the beginning of a new life with the man she loved.
James married Elizabeth Grant in 1908. Capturing that moment in time, Lizzie penned a note on the back of their wedding photo "it was the Start twords the happyest days of our Lives".
James purchased the 677 acre Officer Ranch, with water rights, one band of 1200 sheep, and some cattle, all for $6,900. James and Lizzie settled into the isolated two bedroom ranch house with their one-year old son and started the business of sheep ranching. Travel to the homestead was difficult as there was still no road through Picture Gorge until 1920.