John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Cant Ranch

Nestled below Sheep Rock along the John Day River, just north of Picture Gorge, the ranch is one of the most intact remaining examples of early 20th century ranching operations in the valley.

The Sheep Rock Unit (one of three units that make up the National Monument) incorporates the initial 357 acres in Grant County purchased by James Cant, Sr., in 1910. In addition to the main house, the ranch complex still includes the barn, sheepshearing stalls (among the best preserved of their type still known to exist in the region), Watchman’s Hut, bunkhouse, and an assortment of outbuildings.

James Cant, Sr., a Scottish immigrant, became one of the more prominent ranchers in the valley. The ranch remained in the Cant family until it was purchased by the National Park Service in 1975, three years after Cant's death at age 92.