Ponderosa Ranch may be sold

INCLINE VILLAGE - Saying it's the reality of doing business in the Tahoe Basin, Ponderosa Ranch President David Geddes announced Wednesday the company is looking at selling the 548-acre property to a coalition of government agencies.

Terra Firma, a Minden-based consulting firm, was called in by the ranch to study the probability of making a deal. The firm contacted the U.S. Forest Service, the Nevada Department of Conservation, the Nevada Department of Transportation, Washoe County, Incline Village General Improvement District and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

"We have looked at development options for the property, but because of the tremendous potential benefits to the public, we feel that we should first give these agencies an opportunity to propose a viable option to development," Geddes said.

The ranch, which opened in 1968, was inspired by the TV show "Bonanza," which premiered in 1959. The Western concerned the trials and tribulations of the Cartwright family, who lived on the fictitious Ponderosa Ranch on the north shore of Tahoe.

The show was one of the early color broadcasts, and producers took advantage of Tahoe's beauty. They shot several exterior scenes in the Incline area.

Bill Anderson, an early Incline resident who now lives in Dayton, allowed Paramount Studios to film on his property and realized the show's popularity could be an economical benefit. He built the ranch house and Western town as a tourist attraction.

In 1994, the ranch was given to Anderson's children Royce, Julliane and Julliane's husband, David Geddes.

Geddes said there are compelling arguements for conserving the property, but would not comment on the property's value.

"That's not for me to say," he said. "It's determined through a lenghty process."

Terra Firma owners Jacques Etchegoyhen and Glen Williams said they are thrilled to be involved in the deal.

"It's a sublime pleasure for us to be part of what could be a great benefit to the entire community," Etchegoyhen said.

"We're looking at opening a beautiful piece of property for the enjoyment of everyone who treasures the natural beauty of the area," Williams said. "This would be an opportunity for these government agencies to have a place to put their conservation practices to work."

Etchegoyhen said they don't expect the appraisal to be finished for another three months, but added that the property does border the most expensive neighborhood in Incline.

"From a community standpoint, for access, I think it's priceless," he said. "It's one of the most valuable pieces of property in the West."

Williams said the community could use one feature of the ranch to cut down pollution and traffic during high tourist seasons.

"The ranch has a 9-acre parking lot that can be used as a shuttle park-and-ride area, connecting Sand Harbor, Spooner Lake and other attractions in the area, or as a boat trailer area," Williams said. "The property also has access to the Rim Trail and the Flume Trail and during the winter, it could serve as a feeder area for Diamond Peak and Mount Rose ski resorts."

The partners said they are trying to find a situation where most of the current structures could remain and be part of the project.

"We realize the significance of the buildings, especially the ranch house, to American culture," Williams said. "It's one of the most recognized homes in the world. So, we hope to retain and utilize the structures in the new plan."

"This is by no means a done deal," Geddes said. "We are gearing up for the coming season as usual, hiring employees and fixing up attractions. Nothing's changed in that respect. We have a ranch to run."

The ranch attracts about 400,000 visitors a year from all over the world and stays open until October.

"We saw an opportunity where the ranch could go on as a benefit to the community and had to explore the possibility," Geddes said. "The ranch is an American institution, and we want it to remain that way."