Northern California ranch established in Gold Rush era is up for sale. Take a look
A historic 14,000-acre Northern California ranch established around the time of the Gold Rush has hit the real estate market for $16.9 million.
The East Fork of the Scott River cuts through the Siskiyou County property, near the Oregon border, for eight miles. There are seven homes on the land, six large barns and several outbuildings. Dubbed AP Ranch, the property is nearly the size of Manhattan, New York.
AP Ranch was established in 1856 by Alexander Parker and acquired by the Newton family in 1961, according to California Outdoor Properties, which holds the listing. That makes it — along with a handful of other spreads like Tejon Ranch in Southern California and Jack Tone Ranch in the Central Valley — one of the oldest ranches in the state.
Diverse in topography, the ranch’s elevation extends from 3,600 feet to 5,400 feet. Nearby peaks soar above 8,000 feet.
AP Ranch, located in Gazelle, holds water rights to the East Fork of the Scott River and its tributaries, as well as two alpine lakes, according to California Outdoor Properties. The Pacific Crest Trial runs just south of the ranch. The snowcapped peaks, trout streams and snowmelt-fed rivers of Klamath National Forest and Marble Mountain, Russian and Trinity Alps wilderness areas are nearby.
Members of the Newton family, the sellers, spent weekends and summers at the ranch.
“It’s bittersweet to sell the ranch that holds so many cherished memories of time well-spent with the extended family,” Dr. Albert Newton III said in a news release..
His grandfather, Albert H. Newton, was a long-time physician and prominent figure in the area, he added. His father, Albert H. Newton Jr., is a well-known attorney and businessman in the region.
Memories on the ranch
“The ranch was a respite for them,” Albert Newton III said. “Over the years the ranch has hosted everyone from dignitaries and politicians to our kids’ college friends. Dinners for 30 people were commonplace. This summer the ranch hosted my niece’s wedding.”
Josh Newton, another grandson of the senior Dr. Newton, also recalled time spent on the property.
“Our memories are of working cattle in the morning, fishing and hunting in the afternoon, and lively games of gin in the evening,” he said in the news release.
AP Ranch is operated as a year-round cow-calf operation, with a carrying capacity of about 500 mother cows, according to California Outdoor Properties.
“AP Ranch is more than just land — it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in California’s rich ranching and timber heritage,” listing agent Todd Renfrew said in a statement. “With its stunning landscapes and agricultural potential, this unique property invites you to embrace the traditions of the American West while crafting your own legacy.”
The surrounding area offers an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities: hiking, swimming, paddle boarding, horseback riding, ATV exploration, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, fishing and hunting. Wildlife, such as elk, deer, beavers, black bears, mountain lions, quail and wild turkeys, is abundant.
Mount Shasta Ski Park is less than an hour’s drive away and Mount Ashland Ski Area can be reached in less than two hours.
This story was originally published January 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM.
