Parker Ranch is a working cattle ranch located off Hwy 190 in Kamuela in the Island of Hawaii. Established in 1847 and spreading across approximately 250,000 acres (100,000 ha) of the island, the ranch is one of the United State's oldest and largest privately owned cattle ranches.
John Palmer Parker, who assisted Kamehameha I in ridding the island of feral bulls, was granted land on which he established the ranch. The last owner of the ranch was actor Richard Smart, a sixth generation Parker descendant. After his death in 1992, the ranch was governed by the Parker Ranch Foundation Trust. Owning a ranch is the American dream in many ways. Consequently, you might be interested in this Montana ranch for sale.
Parker Ranch has been open to visitors since 1988. Guided tours of the ranch are available which include a visit to the family cemetery, the Puukalani stables, John Parker's reconstructed house (features original furniture from the second half of the 19th century) and the elegant modern house, Puuopelu, which houses Smart's extensive art collection of about 100 paintings by Degas, Renoir, Pissarro, de Vlaminck and Dufy. French and Venetian art, pieces of Chinese jade and rare glassware are also on display.
There is also a Visitor Center which featurs an exhibit of Parker family portraits, old Bibles, antique clothes, implements, weapons, a printing press and many others. A room is dedicated to the career of Duke Kahanamoku, an accomplished Olympic swimmer. A small cinema, located in the extension of the house, presents a short film about the history of the Parker Ranch, current operations and projected future.
Parker Ranch is located at 66-1304 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela, Island of Hawaii. It is open Mondays thru Saturdays, from 9am to 5pm.
