The National Ranching Heritage Center celebrates the spirit of the men and women who built the ranching tradition and shares the story of ranch life—past and present—helping visitors connect with this enduring part of American life. The paved pathway through the historical park is 1.5 miles long and can take 1 hour or more to tour depending on your level of interest. The historical park is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Closed on all Texas Tech holidays
More than 50 authentic ranch structures have been relocated to the NRHC from some of the West’s most well-known ranches and show the evolution of ranch life from the late 1700s through the mid-1900s. Each building reflects the geography of its original location and the materials available for construction. Visitors to the National Ranching Heritage Center will see historic windmills, dugouts, barns, corrals and pens, a bunkhouse, one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, ranch headquarters buildings, a locomotive, stock cars, depot and examples of such unique early architecture as a cabin made of cactus stalks and mud chinking and an elegant two-story ranch home ordered from a mail-order catalog. Each building has been authentically restored, furnished or outfitted to reflect period correctness. Some of the country’s largest and most historic ranches were established in the Panhandle and Southern Plains of Texas. A visit to the National Ranching Heritage Center is an opportunity to walk back in time and experience the real American West that was created by the people who lived that history. Dedicated on July 2, 1976, the 27.5-acre facility was established to preserve the history of ranching, pioneer life and the development of the livestock industry in North America. The center is supported by a unique public-private partnership between Texas Tech University and the Ranching Heritage Association. The National Ranching Heritage Center is located east of Indiana on Fourth Street, in Lubbock, Texas. Mailing address is P.O. Box 43200, Lubbock, TX 79409-3200.
