Floral Ranch 1883-1916: Ephraim Knowlton Hanks Homestead
From Hanksplace
The spatial use of the property that was to become known as Floral Ranch varied slightly during Hanks ownership, although the landscape was primarily dedicated to subsistence farming/ranching. After settling in the area, the Hankses diverted water from Pleasant Creek to irrigate fields and an orchard of approximately two hundred fruit trees. Unlike many residents in the area however, the Hankses style themselves as ranchers, rather farmers (National Park Service, 1992). During the periods of Hanks ownership a variety of fruits, vegetables, and animals were raised. Following are the recollections of Mr. Urban Van Hanks as related to George E. Davidson, Chief of Interpretation and Information, Capitol Reef National Park in 1981:
"I remember the fruit orchards. You asked where the house was. You know where the poplar trees are? Those quite tall trees? I think they are still there. The house was built right there before you went down. My grandfather, Ephraim Knowlton Hanks had his yards all down under the hill. Up where the corrals and bars are now, you go down through there till you get to the house, then you go down a little hill. That's where my grandfather had his yard and fruit trees and everything down under the little hill. He raised alfalfa. I dodn't know if he raised any grain or not, but I know he raised alfalfa on the bech there. He raised some good crops there" (Davidson, 1918).
In 1910, Ray E. Hanks, son of Ephraim Knowlton Hanks & Thisbe Quilley Read Hanks, was named on the Property Assessment for the site. At the time the ranch measured 160 acres, and in addition to the house, the family owned five horses (or mules) and eighty-two head of cattle (Wayne County Property Assessment 1910). The following year, 1911, Arthur E. Hanks, also a son of Ephraim Knowlton Hanks & Thisbe Quilley Read Hanks, is named on the Property Assessment (Wayne County Property Assessment 1911). It is at this point that the ranch becomes known as "Floral Ranch". At that time the family had assets including one horse (or mule), one cow, and two pigs. In 1912, the ranch remained under Arthur Hanks' name and of the 160 acres, 50 acres were devoted to farmland and 100 acres were devoted to other uses. This divison of land use remained the same until 1915.
In 1913 and 1914 Arthur E. Hanks remained on the Wayne County Property Assessement and for 1913 the ranch listed twelve horses and mules, two cows, twenty sheep or goats and twenty pigs (Wayne County Property Assessment 1913). The spatial land use changed in 1915 and during that year twenty-five acres were devoted entirely to farming, one acre to growing fruit, and 135 acres to other uses (Wayne County Property Assessment 1915.)
- Christine Jacobs Landrum, 2001- Cultural Landscape Inventory, Pleasant Creek Settlements: Floral Ranch and Sleeping Rainbow Ranch, National Park Service
Image Gallery
 Hanks' Floral Home; Will Morrill, ranch foreman under the ownership of Arthur E. Hanks - Teton Hanks Jackman Collection |
 Arthur Hanks Family, Hank's Floral Ranch Home - Teton Hanks Jackman Collection |
 Animals on the Floral, Arthur Hanks Family - Teton Hanks Jackman Collection |
 Arthur Hanks Family, Hanks' Floral Ranch - Teton Hanks Jackman Collection |
 Making Sorghum on the Floral, Arthur Hanks Family - Teton Hanks Jackman Collection |
 Indian Hogan once found on the Floral Ranch - Teton Hanks Jackman Collection |
 Hanks' mailbox at Eph's Tower, 3 miles from the Floral - Teton Hanks Jackman Collection |
