Bonnie Springs Ranch was originally built in 1843 as a stop over for the wagon trains going to California down the Old Spanish Trail.
In 1846, General Fremont, on his way to California, stopped at what is now Bonnie Springs Ranch to gear up for his trip through Death Valley. Since 1952, the ranch has been used as a tourist attraction. Often called "an oasis in the desert", where you can stop for a cool drink of spring water.
Bonnie Springs Ranch got its start back in the early 1950's when Al Levinson, a recently arrived New Yorker, met and married Las Vegas dancer and showgirl, Bonnie McGaugh.
Bonnie passed her strong love for the West and its historic past onto her husband, and together they ambitiously decided to recreate and preserve as much of the wild old Nevada as they could.
Levinson began building the little mining town of Old Nevada back in the early 1970's after doing extensive historical research and slowly gathering artifacts from the 1880's. Bit by bit, and piece by piece, Old Nevada grew, built really upon the curiosity and energy of Al and Bonnie.
Today the grounds are a delight for locals and tourists alike. There is a fine dinner house and a quaint cocktail lounge. There is a wide variety of animals for you to see in our zoo. Both native and non-native, including Simba the Canadian Lynx and our beautiful wolves.
There is a large stable of horses for your riding pleasure, pony rides for the kids and an adorable motel with fireplace rooms and Jacuzzi tubs.
Photo above - Front of Bonnie Springs Ranch
Photo above - White swans and some ducks
Photo above - Lama chewing on some hay
Photo above - Another Lama thinking, "what's this guy looking at?"
Photo above - Lone wolf taking a nap
Photo above - Nu Nu making a new friend
Photo above - Some more friendly faces
Photo above - If you don't like riding real horses you can ride (iron horses)!
Photo above - Beautiful Peacock showing off it's beauty
Photo above - Some funny signs
Photo above - Photographs of Bonnie and Al hanging on the wall in the Saloon/ Restaurant.
(Bonnie Springs Ranch is only 25 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip)!
photographs above taken in Bonnie Springs, Nevada by: Robert Swetz and duplicating in any form is in violation of copyright infringement and subject to fines.
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