Nine Mile Ranch
A Century of History
The Origins of Nine Mile Ranch
Located about twenty minutes northwest of Quesnel, BC, along Blackwater Rd, Nine Mile Ranch is aptly named for being "nine miles" from the town center. The ranch originally served as a critical stopping point for travelers along Blackwater Rd or those following the telegraph trail. Notably marked by a distinctive large log hip roof barn, the property was a familiar landmark where the road divided the house and the farmyard.
A Century of Changes
Over the past hundred years, the landscape and views of the Valley have transformed. However, the family name of those who reside at Nine Mile Ranch today has remained unchanged, anchoring the property in a deep sense of continuity and heritage.
Walter Sanford's Journey to Nine Mile Ranch
The story of Nine Mile Ranch begins with Walter Sanford, known as Jim, who emigrated from London, England, in 1912. Intent on owning his own farm, Jim initially worked as a surveyor, exploring various parts of Vancouver Island and Pemberton. Despite his travels, suitable land eluded him until his journey brought him further north.
Life at Bouchie Lake
The stories from those early years often mention how Jim had to hide the canoe when going to work to prevent Wyn from using it to escape down the river. Their time in Nazko did not last long, as Jim and Wyn eventually sold their land and business to their partner. Seeking a new start, they moved to Bouchie Lake, where they became neighbors with the Armstrong family. This move marked a new chapter in their lives, as they adjusted to another part of the Cariboo region.
Family Reunion and Property Acquisition
Between 1920 and 1922, the history of the Sanford family becomes somewhat unclear, but it was during this period that Jim’s parents, Walter and Cristiana Sanford, traveled from England to Canada. Walter, a druggist in London, and Cristiana, an opera singer, came to visit their family, which included Jim and Wyn Sanford, as well as Angus and Ivy Cameron. During their visit in August 1922, they decided to purchase the Nine Mile property.
Return to England
Despite their significant purchase, Cristiana and Walter did not settle in Canada for long. Records indicate they were still in Canada in 1923, but they soon returned to England. There is little evidence to suggest they ever returned to Canada before their deaths—Walter in 1932 and Cristiana in 1935.
Arrival in Quesnel
In 1913, Jim traveled to Quesnel by stagecoach from Ashcroft, accompanied by Ewen Cameron. The journey was challenging; the stagecoach was so crowded that the men, including Jim, had to walk up hills to lighten the load. This experience marked the beginning of Jim's lasting connection with the area, laying the foundations for what would become a century-long legacy at Nine Mile Ranch.
Settling in Nazko Valley
In 1913, after exploring the Quesnel area, Jim Sanford discovered the perfect spot to settle at the junction of the Nazko and Blackwater Rivers. To fully commit to his new life, he bought a saddle and horse from Johnston Brothers’ Livery in Quesnel for $92.00. With his new purchase, he rode to Barkerville, a journey that took a week, to file a pre-emption in 1914. During this time, Jim worked for ranchers in the Nazko area to earn money and contributed by cutting miles of wagon road. He also entered into a business partnership with Joe Spehar before enlisting in the army in the fall of 1915.
Military Service and Return
Jim joined the 67th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, alongside several other soldiers from the Cariboo region. The battalion was later dissolved to provide reinforcements, with the majority of its members serving in France until the Armistice. When Jim returned to Canada in 1919, he was not alone; he brought with him his new wife, Wyn Sanford, from Wales. Wyn, known for her vibrant yet fiery personality, found the rural setting of Nazko challenging, to put it mildly.
Settling at Nine Mile
With the Nine Mile property now vacant and legally owned by his parents, Jim and Wyn moved to the site. By this time, the Bouchie Lake area was developing, with many pioneer families settling nearby and the establishment of a log school that became the community's center. Jim and Wyn, who had welcomed two children, Jim in 1920 and Betty in 1927, worked diligently to build and improve the land they would eventually call their own. However, the property did not formally transfer to Walter until after Cristiana's death in 1938, marking a new chapter in their stewardship of Nine Mile Ranch.
The Ranch as a Traveler's Haven
Throughout the years, Nine Mile Ranch became a well-known rest stop for travelers journeying along the Blackwater route and the Telegraph trail. During these years, the ranch not only served as a campground but also engaged in dairy farming. Jim, an early investor in the local creamery, continued with dairy cattle until the 1940s. As times changed, the focus shifted from dairy to beef cattle, and tractors gradually replaced the teams of horses that had once been essential to the ranch's operations.
Development and Expansion of the Ranch
The land, originally dense with bush, required significant effort to clear. Jim and his son dedicated themselves to transforming the rugged terrain into productive pasture and fields. In 1937, they undertook a major logging effort behind their home and managed to peel enough logs in a single day to construct the now-iconic hip roof barn, which would become a defining feature of the ranch for many years.
Generational Transition and Family Growth
In 1945, Jim Jr. married Annice (Sue) Sheets from Viking, AB, and the couple returned to live at the ranch with Jim Sr. and Wyn. They expanded the ranch's holdings by purchasing the original Baity homestead located just west of their property. Tragically, Jim Sr. passed away suddenly in 1950, prompting Jim Jr. and Sue to take over the operations of the ranch. The couple raised three children—Bill, Joan, and Alan Sanford—who grew up on the property and attended the local Bouchie Lake School, continuing the family's deep roots in the community.
Betty’s Journey and Family Expansion
Betty, Jim’s sister, ventured west of Williams Lake and settled in Riske Creek after marrying Gordon Jasper. In her late teens, Betty had embarked on a remarkable journey from her home in Blackwater, traveling all the way to the Chilcotin by horseback. The couple later established their ranch west of the Fraser River, near Marguerite, where they raised three children: Jeannie, Lee, and Ray.
Ranch Evolution and Generational Shifts
Over the decades, Nine Mile Ranch saw various changes in its livestock. Initially, Hereford cattle dominated the valley. In the 1980s, the introduction of Simmental cattle marked a significant shift, followed by Angus in later years. While Alan, the youngest of Jim Jr. and Sue’s children, remained on the ranch, his older siblings moved away—Bill to Prince George and then to Vernon, and Joan to Jasper and eventually Vancouver.
Alan and Lorraine’s Era
In 1978, Alan married Lorraine Appleby and they moved across the valley to the original Baity property that his parents had acquired years earlier. Together, Alan and Lorraine had four children: Robin, Reanne, Riley, and Ross. With the help of their growing family, they expanded the ranch significantly from the late seventies onward. The focus shifted to commercial and then to purebred cattle, which became the ranch's mainstay. The diligent breeding and management practices developed over more than 50 years have culminated in a robust cow-calf operation, now boasting approximately 280 head of cattle, providing a sustainable livelihood and continuing the family’s deep-rooted legacy in the region.
Continuity on Historic Grounds
Today, Alan and Lorraine Sanford still manage their ranching operations on the very land purchased by Alan’s great-grandfather a century ago. Despite changes and developments, the essence of the original homestead endures through their stewardship.
Family Milestones and Losses
The Sanford family has seen its share of milestones and farewells over the years. Jim Sanford passed away in 2004, followed by Bill in 2007, and Sue in 2010. Bill Sanford's children, Kelly Sanford and Valerie Torgersen, currently reside in Prince George. Meanwhile, Joan lives in Lethbridge with her partner, Steve.
A Historic Loss and New Beginnings
In the spring of 2020, the Sanford family faced the loss of the historic hip roof barn, a casualty of a severe windstorm. This event significantly altered the landscape along the road where the original home once stood, marking an end of an era for a significant landmark on the property.
Legacy and Gratitude
Despite the challenges, the Sanfords remain deeply connected to their roots and thankful for the bounty their land and livestock continue to provide. The family has expanded to include eight great-great-grandchildren, who either visit or reside on the ranch, continuing the legacy of the Sanford family. This centennial marks not only a reflection on the past 100 years of hard work and community but also a celebration of the enduring spirit of family, friendship, and the land that has sustained generations.
