Lazy Z Ranch

The ranch in Section 10 now known as the Lazy Z was settled by four pioneer families: Cobb, Claypool, Beaman, and McFarlane. Alfred and Martha Cobb arrived in Sisters in 1881. Martha operated a waystation for travelers and Alfred ran a blacksmith shop, offering wagon repair and horseshoeing. They received title to their homestead in 1889. The barn standing there today was built in 1928 and the home in 1950.

The Claypools were newlyweds when they arrived from the Willamette Valley in 1874. They obtained title to the northwest quarter of Section 10 in 1889. Their barn was built in 1911, serving as a livery stable, blacksmith shop, dairy, butcher shop, and mechanic's shop. Current owners, the Willitts family, restored the barn and the 1937 "Old House", which front on U.S. Highway 20, just east of Sisters Movie House. The Old House was built by Bend chiropractor Roy Reynolds during his ownership of the property.

The southwest quarter of Section 10 was homesteaded by the Beaman family, who received title in 1891. Then came the McFarlanes, who claimed the southeast quarter, receiving title in 1912.

1n 1931, the Knickerbocker family bought the Beaman homestead and soon opened the Knickerbocker Public Golf Course, where play cost 50 cents a round. They also raised turkeys.

Although Lloyd and Lillie Brogan were Southern California residents, Lloyd had grown up ranching in Montana. An attorney friend had received the Lazy Z in exchange for legal services. Not interested in running an Oregon ranch, he suggested the Brogans consider buying it, which they did. Over time, they bought adjacent parcels until owning the iconic 1,400-acre Lazy Z Ranch, which specialized in breeding black Angus cattle. Lloyd also raised and raced thoroughbreds. They irrigated hay with Whychus Creek water delivered to their pond via the Uncle John Ditch. After the Brogans' deaths in the late 1980s, Joan Hull purchased the property and kept it as a ranch, although the Brogans' daughter, Marleen Rognlien, and her husband Bruce retained 5 acres for a new home.

In 2003, new owner David Herman divided the property into 13 parcels, of which nine were listed for sale. However, when the Rognliens learned of David's plans for residential development, they bought back 85 acres at the intersection of Highway 20 and State Highway 126, and turned it into Hawk's Haven Reserve, a private wildlife refuge. In 2007 the City of Sisters purchased a parcel on the south side of Highway 20 as part of its wastewater treatment facilities.

In 2020, John and Renee Herman relocated from Southern California and purchased an 83-acre ranch parcel. They began a beekeeping and mead-producing enterprise based on regenerative agriculture. Cattle and horses still meander the pastures. This parcel is what is known today as the Lazy Z Ranch.