Black Diamond Ranch

The original owner of Black Diamond Ranch was Prentiss Van Tassel who homesteaded in Section 26 in 1904. Prentiss and his wife Lula received their water rights in 1915 and raised alfalfa. In the early 1900s, their neighbor Brooks-Scanlon Lumber Company was blasting for rail spur construction, which caused Lula's geese to stop laying. She received compensation in the form of goslings. Evidence of the old spur line can still be seen from a rise called Goose Egg Hill. Mel and Mary Harrington purchased the ranch in two parcels in 1943 and 1954. Harrington Loop Road is named after them, and the ranch access is located midway along the road. The property is bordered on three sides by the Deschutes National Forest.

The 1910 census lists Prentiss Harrington as head of household, as a 32-year-old farmer of a "general farm", and as a Michigan native. Lula, 24, was listed as his wife, occupied at home, and born in Michigan. Also recorded were son Newell (10), son Glennie (4), daughter Nellie (3), and son Bertie (13/4), all born in Oregon. The census also lists Eliza J. Van Tassel as head of household, 64 years, born in New York, and Pesson Van Tassel, 32 years (apparently a twin to Prentiss), born in Michigan, as a farmer of a general farm.

The 1921 edition of Polk's Directory of Central Oregon, locates the Van Tassels in Gist with assets of $2,790, and credits them with raising alfalfa ,potatoes, rye, wheat, and sheep.