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Beautiful Bonnie Springs Ranch in Nevada by: Robert Swetz

By
Industry Observer

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Bonnie Springs Ranch was originally built in 1843 as a stop over for the wagon trains going to California down the Old Spanish Trail.

 In 1846, General Fremont, on his way to California, stopped at what is now Bonnie Springs Ranch to gear up for his trip through Death Valley. Since 1952, the ranch has been used as a tourist attraction. Often called "an oasis in the desert", where you can stop for a cool drink of spring water.

 Bonnie Springs Ranch got its start back in the early 1950's when Al Levinson, a recently arrived New Yorker, met and married Las Vegas dancer and showgirl, Bonnie McGaugh.

 Bonnie passed her strong love for the West and its historic past onto her husband, and together they ambitiously decided to recreate and preserve as much of the wild old Nevada as they could.

 Levinson began building the little mining town of Old Nevada back in the early 1970's after doing extensive historical research and slowly gathering artifacts from the 1880's. Bit by bit, and piece by piece, Old Nevada grew, built really upon the curiosity and energy of Al and Bonnie.

 Today the grounds are a delight for locals and tourists alike. There is a fine dinner house and a quaint cocktail lounge. There is a wide variety of animals for you to see in our zoo. Both native and non-native, including Simba the Canadian Lynx and our beautiful wolves. 

 There is a large stable of horses for your riding pleasure, pony rides for the kids and an adorable motel with fireplace rooms and Jacuzzi tubs.

 Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - Front of Bonnie Springs Ranch

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - White swans and some ducks

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - Lama chewing on some hay

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - Another Lama thinking, "what's this guy looking at?"

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - Lone wolf taking a nap

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - Nu Nu making a new friend

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - Some more friendly faces

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - If you don't like riding real horses you can ride (iron horses)!

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - Beautiful Peacock showing off it's beauty

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - Some funny signs

Photo taken by Robert Swetz - Las Vegas Nevada

 Photo above - Photographs of Bonnie and Al hanging on the wall in the Saloon/ Restaurant.

 (Bonnie Springs Ranch is only 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip)!

 photographs above taken in Bonnie Springs, Nevada by: Robert Swetz and duplicating in any form is in violation of copyright infringement and subject to fines.

 Please look at my new web site on photography www.SearchMyPics.com

 Real Estate www.VegasBuildingsForSale.com

 Real Estate www.LakeOwner.com

 

Posted by

Robert "Vegas Bob" Swetz  

Direct: 408 410 4171

"Have a Wonderful Day"

VIDEOS BY VEGAS BOB

 

Comments(9)

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Roy A. Peterson
Domicile Analysis of Texas - El Paso, TX
P.R.E.I.

Robert, this place sounds very interesting. Never knew this place was in Vegas. Nice photos as always. I'm glad you posted about this place.

                                                              ~ Life is Good

 

                                                                                        

Feb 02, 2009 01:36 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Roy - Thanks for coming around and this is a very interesting place and only 25 minutes from "The Strip"

Feb 02, 2009 02:00 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Robert, thank-you for sharing these great wild life pictures and bikers too...

Feb 02, 2009 02:19 PM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Love all your photos Robert! Keep them coming, I love photography!

Feb 02, 2009 03:18 PM
Kent Simpson
Realty One Group Mountain Desert - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Is About People

Robert - looks like fun, a little like Old Tucson, but with its own flavor.  Watch out for the llamas though--they'll spit a honker at you when you're not looking!

Feb 02, 2009 03:20 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Paul - Thanks for coming around and Bonnie Springs is a big hang out for motorcyclists.

Feb 02, 2009 04:54 PM
Laura Watts
Positive Properties, LLC - Laurinburg, NC

Robert-WOW, WOW, WOW-this place sounds like alot of fun. Thanks for sharing the story and pictures.

Feb 05, 2009 04:50 PM
Tony Orefice
NorthGroup Real Estate/www.TonyORealtor.com - Concord, NC
Realtor- Cabarrus County, NC

Hi Robert,

When I was in Vegas, April of '2005, my brother (who lived there at the time) took me to Red Rock. We climbed and traversed all over the place there. Then we went to Bonnie Springs. I was very impressed with the whole place, from the animals to the scenery. I'd like to go back sometime. Thanks for sharing these pics!

Feb 12, 2009 01:33 AM
Tony Orefice
NorthGroup Real Estate/www.TonyORealtor.com - Concord, NC
Realtor- Cabarrus County, NC

Hi Robert,

When I was in Vegas, April of '2005, my brother (who lived there at the time) took me to Red Rock. We climbed and traversed all over the place there. Then we went to Bonnie Springs. I was very impressed with the whole place, from the animals to the scenery. I'd like to go back sometime. Thanks for sharing these pics!

Feb 12, 2009 01:33 AM