KIEL/KYLE RANCH CEMETERY Researched July 26, 2001 by Patricia A. Scott Copyright 2001 ************************************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, material may be freely used bynon-commercial entities, as long as this notice remains on all copied files and permission is obtained by the contributor of this file. USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Those electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representatives of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************************************** The Kiel/Kyle Ranch had an uncertain start and few details have been recorded. Several sources say that Conrad Kiel/Kyle, for whom Kyle Canyon in Mount Charleston is named, came to the Las Vegas basin between 1870 and 1875. Others say he was here by 1855 when the Mormons built the Las Vegas Fort. In either case he arrived without his wife who remained in Ohio. Conrad was an enterprising man building a mill for local ranchers to grind their grain, growing fruit and vegetables to supply travelers and miners, raised hogs and in the later years provided residency for those seeking the liberal divorce laws in Clark County. Conrad married a second time in MO in 1875, but nothing more is known of the wife. In 1975, five graves were located and the remains exhumed at the request of the City of North Las Vegas due to plans to restore the Old Ranch as a historic site. The site of the ranch is located northwest of Losee and Craig Roads in North Las Vegas. Those found were: Conrad KIEL died abt. 1894 M. J. LATIMER died late 1890's, female mid to late 60's in age. family friend. Edwin KIEL body originally found Oct. 10, 1900. Approx. 53 years old, murdered; unsolved william KIEL body originally found Oct. 10, 1900. Approx. 51 years old, murdered; unsolved Infant unidentified. The bodies were reportedly reinterred in front of the "White House" and a new flag pole. The "White House" burned in 1992. The original adobe structure, however, survived. Records indicate that Conrad Kiel filed for original land patent in 1884. The Rail Road purchased the property in 1901 followed by the purchase in 1911 by John Park who built the "White House" also known as the Park Mansion. By 1924, Edward Taylor purchased the property and in 1939, Edwin Losee leased and later purchased the ranch renaming it "Boulderado Dude Ranch". In 1961, developers purchased the property, but it was sold to the Historic Committee in 1974 who in turn donated it to the City of North Las Vegas in 1976. (see Administrator's notes below) ======================================================= ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTE: Per George Knapp, an investigative reporter, four bodies were sent to the University of Nevada Anthropology Department for identification of the remains. To his knowledge, the remains are still at UNLV. Also, the City of North Las Vegas had allocated approximately $400,000 in the 1960s for the restoration of this property. Instead, they spent the funds on other projects, sold more of the land to businesses and virtually ignored the deterioration of the remaining land that once was part of the Kiel Ranch. Today, there are businesses with large buildings surrounding three sides of the 'ranch'. The property is fenced off, and overgrown with weeds. Vagrants have made their home in the property, and there has been vandalism. Another investigation of this property was conducted within the last few years, with the City of North Las Vegas making more promises to restore the property. At some point in its recent history, some Scout troops have attempted to clean up the property as part of their Eagle project, but the ignored property sits with many weeds long grown back and is still being ignored. Gerry Perry, Tombstone Project Manager