Magaña hopes to use his rancher heritage to attract tourism

"We want to take them out and show them what the real west was like." Jesse Magaña/ Rancher, agriculturism developer

As a farmer-rancher, Jesse Magaña started with a milk cow his father gave him at a wedding present in 1953.

Now, at 74, he continues in agriculture - but in a way his father probably would not ever have imagined.

Several weeks ago, magana stood on the land about a mile east of his home on Kansas 140 and watched as a worker scooped dirt to move away for a basement.

The Big Dig, April 2006

This is to be the site of Magaña's Rancho Milagro, a dude ranch that is part of his vision for the future.

Once the dirt is removed, Magaña plans to start work on a headquarters building, which also will be an interpretation center for the regions rich history. His plan also calls for a house to be moved from kansas 140 to the site.

From this 60-acre property, Magaña hopes to reach youngsters about horses and share the regions past with ranch guest.

We want to take them out and show them what the real west was like, "he said"

At Ellsworth, Dennis Katzenmeier, another local rancher, has worked almost a decade to bring tourism to Ellsworth County.

He thinks there has been a degree of success.

We used to complain that the state didn't know who we were," he said. "Now I think we've built just a pretty good reputation for ourselves."

Magana and others point to the changes in rural America as proof of his regions potential for tourism, especially so called agri-tourism.

It used to be, Magaña said, chat the majority or residents still had a parent or aunt or uncle or some other close relative on the farm. That is no longer true as the bond between rural and urban residents weaken. But that doesn't mean there isn't a desire to expereince life in the country. That's where places such as Rancho Milagro come in.

"They want to come out here to see the real world." Magaña said.

Katzenmeier thinks Ellsworth County has tourism potential. He is active in the Kansas Cattletowns Coalition, which includes Ellsworth, Abilene, Wichita, and others with shared cowtown histories. The coalition promised the communities and their attrations.

"Are we going to be Kansas Speedway? No, but I think we've got some oportunity. I think we could be another Lindsborg, "katzenmeier said.

As the earth digger contiues to move dirt from Magaña's plant.

"This is just the beginning right here, " he said of the 2,000 square feet headquarters and interprative center.

On other parts of the property, Magaña expects to build cabins and horse barns and have space for camp sites and recreation vehicle parking.

Activities will include rodeos, hunting and educational seminars.

He also plans to reach out to others - Jack Lill of Brookville and his cattle drives, Kanopolis and Wilson Lakes, rolling Hills Zoo, Salina's Smoky Hills Museum and Art Center.

This isn't just talk. We're putting our talk into action.

"We're just not just waiting for things to happen," Magaña said.

Written by: Linda Mowery-Demming/ Ellsworth County News/2006

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