<P> The ranch originated from a Mexican land grant held by Don Pablo Montoya in 1824, only three years after Mexico had gained independence from Spain . In 1875, it was named after the bell - shaped mountain on its land by then - owner Wilson Waddingham . Upon acquisition of New Mexico Territory, the U.S. Cavalry established a temporary post at the Bell Ranch Headquarters for a time, using a part of the manager's house as a "map room" and post office while surveying the surrounding area . Charles Goodnight of the Goodnight Cattle trail utilized one of the prominent mesas of the ranch, Gavilan, to navigate on the way to Colorado with his cattle herds . </P> <P> The ensuing century brought a some pioneering individuals . One person, British - born John H. Culley, came as a young man to learn about ranching in northeastern New Mexico . He served as assistant manager in the late 19th century . Educated at Oxford, he recorded the ranch life in his book Cattle, Horses and Men . He wrote "It is - for I know it - a world where the summers are long and hot and if in winter a flurry of snow comes, it is gone by noon; where things grow readily in the loose red soil and the rim rocks are vermilion . A world where few pines are to seen, (sic) but the hill and mesa sides are covered with juniper and the flats with mesquite, and the sunflowers grow higher than a man on horseback in the bottoms ." </P> <P> Later, Albert K. Mitchell served as manager . His list of accomplishments included President of the American Hereford Cattle Breeders Association, an elected member of the New Mexico State House of Representatives, President of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association and a founder of the American Quarter Horse Association . Mitchell, busy with all these responsibilities, used a small plane to commute to all his activities . He built a hangar and runway at the Bell which stands today . He was one of the first to use airplane flight to commute for agricultural pursuits . </P> <P> In the 1930s, the ranch was acquired by Guy Waggoner, who built the 10,300 - square - foot hacienda on the ranch . His two children sold the ranch after his death . </P>

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