History

The Alderfer Ranch was homesteaded in 1873 by James Hester and operated as cattle and logging operations until 1894 when the original house and barn were destroyed by fire. George Dollison built the present house and barn. The house, barn, and 240 acres were purchased by EJ and Arleta Alderfer for $8,000 in 1945.

The Alderfers continued with hay, horses, Aberdeen Angus cattle, and logging. They operated a sawmill and did custom haying. During the 1950s and 1960s they also raised silver fox. The park property was acquired from the Alderfer and Spencer Wyant families by both purchase and donation.

The land that originally comprised the 770 Acres of Alderfer/Three Sisters Park was acquired through multiple land donations and purchases between 1977 – 2005. Jefferson County Open Space acquired 279 acres from the Alderfer Partnership, 57 acres from the Spencer Wyant family, and 440 acres from the State Land Board.