Bitter Creek Ranch (also known historically as the Old Cronkhite Ranch) adjoins the western border of Roman Nose State Park. The big ranch house can be seen from the park on the western horizon. The ranch house is known as the Old Cronkhite Ranch House and is on the historic register.

National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (pdf)

Early History

Will and Eva Cronkhite had three sons, Buell (J.B.), Cap and Chet and twin daughters, Della and Nellie. They originally lived in a house in what was known as Roman Nose Canyon. The canyon was filled with Indian encampments along Bitter Creek. In 1904, Will and his brothers built a stucco mill on the Choctaw Railroad in Roman Nose Canyon. In 1906, Will sold the mill and the name was changed to Roman Nose Gypsum. The post office was called Bickford so the mill was usually called Bickford Mill. Bickford is now barely even a ghost town.

Constructed in 1906

Will Cronkhite constructed the Cronkhite Ranch House in 1906. There is a very large deposit of gypsum north of the ranch which was used to make the building blocks for the two-story ranch house. The historical association with early Western Oklahoma rancher, Will Cronkhite, and the unusual construction method used for this house make this a very significant structure.

The original house had a wraparound two-level wooden porch and there was mention in an old newspaper article that on August 25, 1910, "Miss Mamie Cronkhite entertained at the Cronkhite home ... The evening was spent in dancing on the large porch and with music." [Note: article does not specify which Cronkhite home]

Original Porches and Roof before 1936

Big Spring Resort - 1925

In 1925, Buell (J.B.) and his brother, Cap, designed and built a recreational facility in the Bitter Creek Canyon called Big Spring Resort. The Watonga Republican carried the following article on August 6, 1925:

The following spendid story of Big Spring Resort near Watonga we are printing from the new magazine, "Outdoor Oklahoma": ... Sportsmen who are well acquainted with NW Oklahoma have for many years looked with envy upon the natural resources of a cattle ranch 8 mi. NW of Watonga, owned by J.B. Cronkhite. The possibilities of a large pleasure resort seemed unlimited. It was not until the spring of 1925 that Mr. Cronkhite with his brother, C.G. Cronkhite decided to convert the ranch into a pleasure resort to be called "Big Spring Resort". Although the dam is not yet completed 80 A. of cabin sites have been sold. Almost every day takes parties of men from Wichita, Okla. City, Enid, El Reno, or other points of this vicinity, who wish to see the place, and nearly everyone who looks leaves with the decision to pitch his cabin there. Abundant supply of cool, pure water from a huge spring that pours 350 gal. of water per minute, canyons, hills, and caves that invite exploration, make the place a wonder spot for campers.

A 40ft. dam that has been under construction for 60 da. and that will be completed between now and Aug. 1st, will form a 15 A. lake, 35ft. deep at the dam. It will be unusually picturesque for the lake bed, practically a natural one, winds through the hills with huge Elms, Cedars, and Walnuts fringing the banks.

Arrangements have been made to stock the lake in the near future with Bass, Croppie, Brim, and Perch. L.C. Cherviant of Roosevelt district fish and game department recently made an inspection of the entire layout.. He said the spring was by far the largest one he had seen in Oklahoma and it would furnish an ideal lake for the growth of game fish. He also was impressed with the possibilities for a game preserve, and it is likely that a portion of the ranch may be reserved for that purpose.

Not only will swimming, fishing, boating, and duck hunting be provided, but the promoters are planning to offer practically every outdoor sport.

There is a great deal of ground that is excellent for a golf course and an expert is to be engaged immediately to lay out the links. A little later tennis courts and ball diamonds will be made.

The Resort is in the heart of good hunting country, quail, duck and other game are plentiful, so the hunter who camps here will be assured of good sport near at hand.

However, a tragedy occurred in 1926 and the family dropped the development plans:

June 17, 1926 "Loree Cronkhite Loses Life" - Drowned in lake at Cronkhite Resort near Watonga, victim was one of the promoters of the lake resort. Tragedy casts gloom over the entire community. Losing her life by drowning in the lake resort for which she had planned and worked so ardently the past two years, was the tragic fate of Loree (Sprecker) Cronkhite of Watonga. On Wed. evening at about 5, o'clock, Mrs. Cronkhite, her sister Mrs. Edwards, and several from town were swimming in the lake when she became pale and exhausted. Some one noticed it and pushed a log to her so she might rest against it. As she was a good swimmer no one dreamed she was in danger. Those who were on the scene state that without warning she sank and never came to the top... [Several young men] came over and dived in making every effort to reach her, but could not save her. ... A phone message brought serveral expert swimmers and divers to the scene, but it took a couple of hours to locate the body. Mrs. Cronkhite loved the outdoors life and was happy in being able to develop the natural resources in this spot into a play ground. Just why such a tragedy should happen to one who was universally respected and loved, who had much for which to live, we can not know, but it cast a gloom over the entire community ... A life in mid-summer had been swallowed up by the lake..."

Resort Sold - 1935

On May 27, 1935, the Cronkhites sold 540 acres, including the Big Spring, to the City of Watonga, which in turn gave the land to the State Parks Department. The park was developed with labor from the Civilian Conservation Corp over several years. The park swimming pool was opened on July 28, 1938 with a big Swim Day and picnic.

The 40 acres that is out of Section 23 contains three springs, Little Spring, Middle Spring, and Big Spring. The Indians called it the "Spring of Everlasting Waters" and it still gushes 400-600 gallons per minute. The water that comes out of the three springs forms Bitter Creek. Bitter Creek has very cold water and feeds Lake Watonga. Lake Watonga is one of the few lakes in Oklahoma cold enough to support a trout population and even has a Trout Derby in early March. Area Events from Watonga Chamber of Commerce

Big Spring

Middle Spring

Porches and Roof Changed - 1936

The front porch and matching back sleeping porch with round stone columns were added ca. 1936 during a remodel by Buell and Lillian (Clark Blanc) Cronkhite. Lillian said in a newspaper story that "my dad made the stone pillars in front of the ranch house. He also re-did the roof." (The roof style was changed completely as you can see in these photos.) Lillian's father was a farmer and ran a grocery store in Eagle City. She also said that "originally the house had a second deck, but it was gone in 1936."

Porches after 1936 remodel - photo ca. 1960s(?)
(notice upstairs door at left)

Kelly and Pat Cronkhite - 1960s-70s

The house was remodeled again in 1966 by Kelly and Pat Cronkhite. The house was never painted in the early years and the gypsum-concrete blocks were left their natural grayish color. However, Pat Cronkhite had the house painted white. Pat had central heat and air added to the house even though she was told it could not be done and the house has two furnaces and two central air conditioners. She also had remodeled the "shed-kitchen" on the west side of the house in the 1970s with top-quality cabinets and appliances. Kelly Cronkhite was a well-known farmer and rancher, president of the Blaine County Cattlemen's Association, and a member of the Full Gospel Businessmen's International. Kelly Cronkhite and family were selected as Farm Family of the year in 1967. He ran approximately 250 head of Angus mother cows and managed 2700 acres of land. William Kelly Cronkhite tragically died in December 1977 of a heart attack at only 42 years of age leaving Pat and four young children. [Coincidentally, one of his casket bearers was Mr. Lee Tarrant, a first cousin of Janet Williamsen.]

Kaci Cronkhite with house in background, ca. 1962

Kaci and Kimbri

Sheriff Sale - 1986

There was a period during the early 1980s when Pat was married to Jim Woolbright where they went into the direct meat sales business from finishing corn-fed cattle and doing their own processing. There were TV commercials selling corn-fed Cronkhite Beef. According to Pat, Cronkhite Beef "was an attempt to bring the place out of debt." They were also manufacturing horse stalls and metal and cable corral fencing. In the 1980s, Pat had the upstairs sleeping porch changed into a master bedroom and enlarged the living room below, adding a fireplace and large picture windows with a wonderful view to the east. Pat said she never had any sort of curtains on these windows. Cronkhite Beef did not work out as hoped and on July 1, 1986, the 1,000 acre Cronkhite Ranch and buildings were sold at a Sheriff's Sale to pay off debts. Gerald "Dutch" Henderson of Oklahoma City purchased the ranch at the Sheriff's Sale for $533,000 which included the 1,000 acre ranch, buildings, and mineral rights.

Where Are They Now?

Several members of the family are active on Facebook if you'd like to get reacquainted!

Williamsens Purchase Ranch - 2005

Summer of 2005

Bill and Janet Williamsen bought the ranch and moved down from Loveland, Colorado in February 2005. Bill was born and raised in Colorado and is from a Nebraska farming and ranching family. Although Janet lived most of her adult life in Colorado, she was born in Alva, Oklahoma and is from an Oklahoma ranching family (Blackledge-Stallings) who have farmed and ranched near Jet, Okla. since the Cherokee Strip Land Run.

Layers of Wallpaper from Old Kitchen

Old window filled in and location of old oak telephone

Mark on wall where old farm sink was located

Updated Kitchen 2008

Updated Kitchen 2008

Ranch For Sale

Historic 1906 Home on 430-acre Oklahoma cattle ranch is on the National Historic Register. Property has many recent updates including new wiring, water lines, laterals, furnace, A/C, ductwork, roof, flooring, updated kitchen, fencing, pool filter system, ponds, Ritchie waterers, and more. See Listing on Zillow.com