 Location
The Old Cronkhite Ranch (later known as the Bitter Creek Ranch) adjoins
the western border of
Roman Nose State
Park near Watonga, Oklahoma. The ranch house, which can be seen from the park on the western
horizon is on the
National Register of Historic Places.
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.
Construction of the Ranch House
 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: The article did not
specify which Cronkhite home.)
Original Porches and Roof before 1936
Big Spring Resort
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.
Three Springs
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 |
Ranch House Remodeled
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." 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) |
Melvin Espy (Cowboy
Hat) with
Cronkhite House in Background
(ca. late 1930s-early 1940s) |
Kelly and Pat Cronkhite
 The
house was remodeled again in 1966 by William (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 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. The house has two furnaces and two central air
conditioners. She also had the "shed-kitchen" on the west side of the house
remodeled in the 1970s with top-quality cabinets and appliances.
Prior to his death from a heart attack in December 1977, Kelly was a
well-known farmer and rancher. He was president of the Blaine County
Cattlemen's Association and a member of the Full Gospel Businessmen's
International. He ran approximately 250 head of Angus mother cows and
managed 2,700 acres of land. The Cronkhites were selected as Farm Family of
the year in 1967.
The Ranch in Recent Years
In July 1986, the 1,000 acre Cronkhite Ranch and buildings were sold to
Gerald "Dutch" Henderson of Oklahoma City. Bill and Janet Williamsen
bought the ranch in February 2005 and moved from Loveland, Colorado. 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.
The Williamsens recently sold the ranch to Marc McKinley, a cattleman who
has continued with improvements to the house. The Williamsens
bought a
horse ranch near El Reno, Oklahoma.
The Cronkhites Today
Pat Cronkhite now is now a
successful
realtor in Enid, Oklahoma.
Pat's oldest son Kelly is a
pastor and head of High Call Ministries, based in
Enid, Oklahoma.
Kaci Cronkhite is living in Port Townsend, Washington, is the founder of a
sailing industry business known as Concentricom. In
2006, she became the Managing Director of Operations Marketing for the
integrated Northwest Maritime Center Wooden Boat Foundation and also served
as 30th Wooden Boat Festival Director. She is now directing some of her
energy and attention to a new project restoring a house at Roman Nose that
she calls Windspiration Point!
Kimbri Cronkhite-Hobson and her family live in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Kipton Cronkhite works with emerging artists via
KiptonART.
We wish to thank
Janet Williamsen for the original content of this article and the
related photographs! |
