Circa 1947 photograph of the entrance to Lone Star Ranch, Reeds Ferry NH. Courtesy of Don Levesque. Used with permission.
What: Lone Star Ranch was a rustic, outdoor summer-autumn entertainment venue located in Reeds Ferry (Merrimack) New Hampshire. [When the weather got colder they would hold indoor “barn dances.” ] It focused on Country & Western, and Hillbilly music, comedy and related events. In addition at various times during its existence, picnic tables, horse back riding, concessions, and games were offered. When the weather was wet or cold there was a ranch house (barn) that was used.
Lone Star Ranch existed from 1938-1983–a span of over 45 years. The entertainers booked for these shows were a mix of local, national, and international renown.
Old postcard showing the crowd gathered to watch the show at Lone Star Ranch, Merrimack New Hampshire.
Where: The former location of the Lone Star Ranch is today’s site of the Webster Green condominium development, on Route 3 in Merrimack New Hampshire, just south of Southern NH Medical Park and Merrimack Ten Pin Center (bowling). One of my
‘Nostalgic Nashua NH’ FaceBook friends, Anita Lyon Memos remembers that it was “just north of the Depot Farm Stand and two other buildings then the brook crosses over to where the fish hatchery used to be then the Ranch started. Also just beyond the Ranch was a great ice cream stand, then a motel. All have gone away!” [Note that the vestiges of that fish hatchery that was just south of Lone Star on the opposite side of the road still remain as a landmark].
The famed Gene LaVerne singing at the 1950 wedding of Allen and Virginia Penrod in Merrimack NH. Photograph courtesy of Ginny Penrod, used with permission.
As this story’s editor, I have personal experiences with Lone Star Ranch. For one, my maternal uncle, Frank Manning was hired to build many of the original buildings that became the Lone Star Ranch. Secondly, back in the 1950s-1970s many times I would ride by in the family car and hear the music, catching a glimpse of the performers on stage (but we never actually stopped). Thirdly, my aunt and uncle the Pynenbergs hired Gene LaVerne to sing at their daughter’s (my cousin) Ginny and Allen Penrod’s wedding. They lived in Merrimack and their family gas station/garage was just a few miles down the same highway. [I do not remember this event as I had not yet been born].
Several years ago Paul “Hank” Preston [a performer in his own right] wrote up a wonderful but brief history of Lone Star Ranch that I included on my Merrimack NH history web site. I repeat parts of it here (in bold), adding additional details, photographs, and a bit of genealogy discovered through research.
Photograph of Baron West, the builder and first manager/operator of the Lone Star Ranch.
Who: But first things first. The first owners of the property that was developed into Lone Star Ranch were Curtis L. & Elizabeth “Grammy” Ethel (Hutchinson) Bell. Curtis and “Grammy” had moved to Reeds Ferry New Hampshire in 1917. Curtis Bell’s regular job was as a supervisor/foreman in various shoe shops, while “Grammy” owned and managed tourist cabins. This small business eventually grew into Lone Star Ranch with managers and promoters from the music industry. The Curtis family continued to own the land until it was purchased by “Buzz” Whittaker (Carl Worthen). A bit of their genealogy and photographs on the Curtis Family follow this story.
The Lone Star Ranch, located in Reeds Ferry, New Hampshire, was opened in 1938 by country radio singer, Baron West. Baron and his friends built the ranch and opened it, featuring country bands and entertainers. In 1938 Baron West is featured in ‘A Radio Guide Weekly’ of 19 November 1938 as performing on “WFEA — Baron West & His Texans.” [Information on Baron West updated October 2019]: Baron West was the stage name of Vernon Frederick Coxen, son of William J. & Anna A. “Annie” (Angstadt) Coxen. He was born 14 Sep 1903 Robesonia, Berks Co. PA. In 1940 he was living at 163 Hanover Street in Manchester NH with his wife Leah Beryl (Koch) Coxen. Vernon F. Coxen died 30 March 1940 in Sacred Heart Hospital Manchester, NH from general peritonitis as the result of a ruptured appendix. His body was returned to his family’s plot in Aulenbach’s Cemetery, Mount Penn, PA. He and his wife had two children: Vernon Richard Coxen and Beryl Ann (Coxen) Brennan. His wife Leah remarried — Schucker and died 30 Apr 1976 in Orange, FL.
“Buzz Whiitaca” (Carl Worthen) and Georgia Mae pose in front of the ‘Lone Star Ranch 1939’ sign. From collection of Ginny Penrod. Used with permission. My thanks to Gary Hutchins for identifying the people in this photo.
A marriage notice in the Nashua Telegraph newspaper of 11 September 1939 states that a bridegroom, Harold G. “Happy” Heimbach of Manchester was a musician with Baron West and His Lone Star Texans. A pre-nuptial surprise party was given them (his bride was Hilda Gould) on September 9 at Lone Star Ranch].
The August 1939 Fitchburg Sentinel newspaper, reporting on residents of Townsend MA reported: ‘Miss Virginia Brown was awarded second prize at an amateur contest conducted at Baron’s Lone Star Ranch, Merrimack, N.H. Sunday. Miss Brown gave whistling solos.”
In 1940, “Sagebrush” Jim Marshall and his band operated the ranch. In the early days, Elton Britt, Georgia Mae and other New England performers appeared on Sunday afternoons during the summer months. Jim Marshall featured acts from the Grand Ole Opry (www.opry.com, natch), movie stars including the Hoosier Hotshots, and the Sons of the Pioneers. Jim Marshall died in a car accident.
21 November 1941. Nashua (NH) Telegraph newspaper.
1960-ish postcard showing a Lone Star Ranch outdoor performance. From the collection of the blog editor.
“Lone Star Ranch Man At Reed’s Ferry Near Death In Hospital At Derry. Derry–Harold L. “Sagebrush Jim” Marshall, 23, entertainer and owner of the Lone Star Ranch on the D.W. Highway near Reed’s Ferry lies near death after receiving serious head injuries in an automobile accident on route 28 near here. Marshall has not regained consciousness since he was admitted to the hospital yesterday. A companion, Beverly E. Dodge, 20, of August Me., is reported to be in “fair” condition as a result of the same crash. She was a member of the Lone Star Ranch and received a broken arm and minor injuries. The accident happened on what is known as Ryan’s Hill on route 28 south of here when Marshall rammed his light beach wagon into the rear of a big trailer-tanker truck owned by the H.P. Welch Company of Somerville. The accident, according to police, happened around midnight near the top of the hill. The force of he impact drove the engine back through the wagon and Marshall received a fractured skull and other injuries. Little home of recovery is held for him it was stated by Dr. A.D. Teitelbaum. He was born in Farmington and moved to Nebraska at the age of 8. A year ago Marshall came back to New Hampshire and established the Lone Star Ranch. Plans for enlargement were just being completed at the time of the accident. Miss Dodge has been with the organization over a year as a featured violinist.”
Bean’s Home Cooked Food concession stand at Lone Star Ranch. Augusta and Francis Bean owners. Photo courtesy of Ginny Penrod. Used with permission.
Nashua Telegraph 22 Nov 1941. [Excerpts of article reporting death of Marshall]
“Tonight’s show which was scheduled for a nearby town has been cancelled but other show engagements, contracted for by Marshall, will be filled in with “Zeke” Clawson acting as leader of the band. It was also planned to operate the ranch next season under Clawson’s leadership. Marshall’s death brings to light the fact that this is the second owner of the Ranch who had died after having successfully operated the organization for a year. During Marshall’s reign at the ranch crowds ranging from 5,000 to 7,500 people attended Sunday shows. Marshall was well liked in Reeds Ferry and Merrimack. His nearest survivor is a year and a half old daughter in Maine. He was divorced from his wife before taking over the ranch.”
1947 newspaper announcement of Smiley Burnette to appear at Lone Star Ranch.
In 1942, Ken Lane and his band from Lynn, Mass. and Ken McKenzie of Portland, Maine kept the ranch open. In 1944, the Bar X Boys from Gardner, Mass. and the Circle C Boys and others helped to run the ranch.
In 1945, the ranch closed due to World War II. [Evidently in 1946,] Gene LaVerne, popular radio personality and country entertainer, took charge of the Lone Star Ranch. His band was known as The Lone Star Ranch Gang. Under Gene’s guidance, the ranch grew in popularity. It featured two concerts plus an open jamboree show every Sunday afternoon. Featured performers included acts such as Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells, and Ernest Tubbs from the Grand Ole Opry, as well as WWVA Jamboree U.S.A. acts from Wheeling, W. Va. Favorites were Yodeling Kenny Roberts, Doc Williams and Chickie, Dusty Owens, and Yodeling Slim Clark.” Local performers included Dwight Davis and the Linemen, Dave Miller, Doug Garron, and Clyde Joy and his band.
In 1956, Buzz Whittaker purchased the ranch and continued to present top country shows. According to Steve Ashland, a former employee of WMUR-TV, Buzz Whittaker had a weekly television program on WMUR-TV, Channel 9 in the late 1950’s. In 1983, Buzz announced that he could no longer continue to keep the ranch open. The Lone Star Ranch closed in October 1983.
“Buzz” Whittaker/Whittica was the stage name of Carl Herbert Worthen. He was born 30 June 1920 in Portsmouth NH and died 8 March 1999 Bedford NH, the son of Forest A. & Helen C. (Stevens) Worthen. He lived in Merrimack and Bedford NH.
*****ADDITIONAL READING/WATCHING*****
VIDEO/HOME MOVIE: Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner Lone Star Ranch
Photographs: Private Collections–various photographs taken at Lone Star Ranch and other venues.
Database: Dates Johnny Cash Played at Lone Star Ranch
Photographs (GREAT!) of Lone Star Ranch, entertainers, owners by Gary Hutchins on FaceBook
Photographs of entertainers at Lone Star Ranch by Dave Levesque on FaceBook.
Photographs of Lone Start Ranch by Sandy Hewitt on FaceBook
=====PARTIAL BELL FAMILY GENEALOGY====
Leman Riley Bell, son of Alfred & Catherine Bell, born 5 June 1857 in Nova Scotia Canada. He died 4 Dec 1907 in Manchester NH. Buried Pine Grove Cemetery. Occupation: shoemaker. He married 1st) 21 March 1878 in Digby Co. NS Canada to Sarah “Sadie” Alvirina Haight. She was b. abt 1860 in Nova Scotia Canada, daughter of Ambrose & Hannah Sophia (Durand) Haight. He m2d) abt 1892 He to Cora May Wormell, daughter of Albert & Alda (Hayden) Wormell. She was born in New Brunswick Canada. They had children: Cora who d. 27 Dec 1906, aged 5.
—————
1891 Census of Canada > Digby > Plympton >
Joseph Cook 45
Catharine Cook 50
Leman Bell 30 Lodger, b 1861 nS,
Curtis Bell 12
Joseph Bell 11
Bessie Bell 9
Augustus Bell 7
Sarah Bell 4
Elizabeth Vanemberg 25
—————
1900 US Census > NH > Hillsborough > Manchester
Leeman Bell 40
Cora Bell 27
Curtis Bell 21
Joseph Bell 19
Gustie Bell 22
Lizzie Bell 17
Bessie Bell 17
Augustus Bell 15
Sadie Bell 12
Albert Bell 5
Clyde Bell 6
—————
Children of Leman R. & Sarah A. (Haight) Bell:
1. +Curtis Leman Bell, b. 10 June 1878, NS Canada
2. Joseph Boyd Bell, born 3 Sep 1879 in North Range, Nova Scotia, Canada; died 21 August 1965 in Southington CT; in 1900 listed as living in Manchester NH with his parents. He married 1899 in NS to Mary Augusta Haight. Children: Leman Boyd b 3 July 1901 Canada; Daisy & Dorothy (twins) b 27 June 1903 Manchester NH; Olive, b. 30 May 1905 Southington CT; Sadie b 29 March 1908 Southington CT; Vera, b 11 June 1910 Southington CT; Edna b 17 Feb 1913 Southington CT; Joseph b 7 May 1915 Southington CT; Edward b 24 Feb 1918 Southington CT. Naturalized citizen in 1924.
3. Bessie May Bell, b 31 May 1882 in Digby NS, died 30 Nov 1966 in Danbury NH; m. 24 Feb 1904 in Manchester NH to Leon Eugene Sawyer, son of George W. and Nancy (Ryder) Sawyer.
4. Augustus D. “Gustie” Bell, b. 12 Aug 1887 Canada; in 1900 living with parents in Manchester NH. Died 18 Oct 1951 in Weymouth Mills, Digby, NS Canada.
5. Sarah Blanche “Sadie” Bell, b. 9 January 1887 Canada. In 1900 living with parents in Manchester NH. She m. 19 June 1907 in Dudley MA to Joseph Figliola, son of Carmine & Elizabeth (Danzilis) Figliola.
Children of Leman R. & Cora M. (Wormell) Bell:
6. Cora who d. 27 Dec 1906, aged 5
7. Albert Newton Bell, b. 8 March 1895 Bradford Massachusetts; m. Mildred B. Sherwood
8. Clyde Bell, b. 22 October 1899, d. 22 October 1900 Manchester NH, cause teething, diarhhea.
Arthur, Grammy and Curtis Bell, owners of the Lone Star Ranch property.
Curtis Leman Bell, son of Leman R. & Sarah Alverina (Haight) Bell was b 10 June 1878 No. Ridge Nova Scotia Canada, and died 20 July 1950 in Merrimack NH. He moved to Haverhill MA when a young man. He immigrated to the United States on 21 October 1893 arriving at Haverhill MA. He m. 28 May 1898 in Haverhill MA to Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ethel Hutchinson [she was 15 years old], daughter of Arthur & Rhoda (Kneeland) Hutchinson. [both b Rowley MA her father a shoemaker] She b. 2 Nov 1882 in Georgetown MA. Curtis was a naturalized citizen. They moved to Merrimack NH in 1917. He worked as a shoemaker for over 50 years including as superintendent and foreman at McElwain, and International Shoe shops in Manchester NH and the Winchel Co. in Haverhill, the Adams Shoe Co. in Pittsfield and Thom McAn. The couple celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in 1948. Her obituary states: “she attended the First Congregational Church, and was past president of both the Merrimack Community Club and the Reeds Ferry Womens’ Club. A pioneer in over-night cabins, she owned the first of these between Boston and the White Mountains, and was the first owner of the Lone Star Ranch in Merrimack.”
——————
Child of Curtis L. & Elizabeth Ethel (Hutchinson) Bell:
1. Arthur Curtis Bell, b. 7 April 1899 Haverhill MA. He married Olive Wotton. Their chidren: Electa Evelyn Bell who married Ernest Arthur Pearson, son of Gustave Edward & Ada (Holmberg) Pearson; Curtis Leman Bell, b. 8 Oct 1920 Reeds Ferry NH, d. 21 Aug 1999 Stark NH, who m. 14 march 1942 in Bradford FL to Florence Louise Farrell); Russell Vernon Bell (b 12 July 1922 Reeds Ferry NH, died 14 July 2004, m. 13 July 1942 in Manchester NH to Marjorie Edythe Iller, WW2 Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient; Marilyn D. Bell, b 15 March 1925, d. 31 May 2017, married Paul Leo Durocher.
[end]
The two “unidentified” individuals in the photo in front of the ranch house with the 1939 sign are Lone Star Ranch owner Buzz Whittica (not “Whittaker”) and Georgia Mae. Buzz Whittica, was the stage name for Carl Worthen. Georgia Mae appeared at the ranch for many years and was also a performer on WBZ in Boston.
Gary, the newspaper advertisements and articles show him as Whittaker. I’m sure he pronounced it ‘WhittaCA’ as it is the New Hampshire accent! Thanks for responding and yes I note near the end that he was Carl Worthen. I deeply appreciate your identifying the people in the photo!
Hi Janice. Thank you for this wonderful article! Many of the people who attended (and performed at) the ranch have passed on. I was very fortunate to work for Buzz Whittica at the ranch for 17 years until it closed in 1983. I mention the spelling of his last name only because, over the years, I have seen it misspelled in print many times. People’s memories fade and some of the details get lost. For example, some of the sources in this article state that there were only two owners of the ranch (Grammy Bell and Buzz Whittica). And this is correct. However, in the newspaper article that reports the death of Jim Marshall, Marshall is referred to as “the owner of the Lone Star Ranch”. You have done an amazing job pulling all of these sources together and, for me, it was very interesting. I’m going to try to include a photo of Buzz’s guitar with his name on it, but I’m not sure it will upload. Best wishes and thank you again for this article!
https://www.facebook.com/gary.hutchins.98/media_set?set=a.10204429464275366&type=3
Janice, enclosed is a link to a photo of Stan Jr. with Buzz’s guitar. Buzz is standing behind him to the left. There are several hundred photos of the ranch on my facebook page with public access. Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed your article! Gary
Gary! Hands down you have the best collection of photographs of Lone Star Ranch entertainers!! And you were one of them, how very cool! I did enjoy the photographs and have linked that in the body of my story, hope you don’t mind!
We’ve lost something by losing these old, simple places where families gathered for times together.
Amy, what you say is so true. Before the dawn of internet communication, it seemed people were much more social in an “in your face” kind of way. Simple gatherings and entertainments that we seem to be lacking these days. Is society becoming more isolated? Are we losing the joy in simple ways? Only the future will say. Thank you for being a dedicated reader, and for your always thoughtful comments.
I also think that as people became more affluent, travel abroad or within the US as a family replaced these old resorts that kept families and communities together. But technolocy has definitely made it even worse.
Thanks for this fascinating article. So many names dance in my head with warm memories. And as I read my mind goes like….. Earnest…oh yeah, “Ernie”…. so forth. Thanks, Janice ❣️
Ginny, I tried to do justice to the subject. Most of the Lone Star Ranch’s story is in the mind and hearts of the people who went there and enjoyed it, and knew the people involved. It isn’t so easy decades later to make it interesting for people who were not there!
Ms. Janice, thank you. I am 75 and born in Concord NH. My momma would bring us there all the time. I remember Kitty Wells etc. she was my moms favorite. If I remember correctly I also saw Faron Young, Marty Robbins too. I had to dress like Dale Evans and would bring my stick pony everywhere and my Roy Rogers gun and holster that I won. I remember Mr. Whittaker because he always said hello and called me Dale. Such great memories. Sad kids today never got the chance to go there. I know I am 70 years late but thanks for the great memories
Ginny, My thanks to you for allowing me to use your photographs. They help make the story more personal and interesting. And yes you probably met many if not all the people mentioned in the story! 🙂
I grew up in Reeds Ferry in the 70s and 80s. There were many a summer night when my brother and I fell asleep to the singing cowboys. It was sad when it closed. We still talk about it. Thanks for the history.
Janice I’m Randy Worthen Sr. youngest son of Carl Herbert Worthen AKA as Buzz Whittica.. I thank Gary Hutchins for making this correction. I am very disappointed that very little information and credit has been given to my Father. There is a lot of misinformation regarding Gene LaVerne’s association with the Ranch. Many of the acts that you mention were brought in during the time that my Father and our family ran the ranch and when it became the place that most people remember.
Our family has been trying to find a way to get the real story out to the public and to correct all the articles that we see that just aren’t true. If you are interested in the real story please contact me.
Randy, thanks for posting a comment. I wrote my story based on books and documents of the time. I have information provided by the original owners that I incorporated into my story. I presumed because they owned it first they would know. If you have a different story or “corrections” that you would like me to refer to, please leave that information as a comment HERE which automatically credits you /or/ send me (to janicebr@earthlink.net) one paragraph with permission to post it within the body of this story, and how you would like me to credit it. I get that your father was Buzz Whittica (sic) as opposed to Whittiker, HOWEVER advertising of the time called him Whittiker and so that is why I used that 🙂 Feel free to write to me at this email address provided. I like to get it right, and I also know that two people looking at the same event do not always translate it exactly the same way 🙂
Out of curiosity, what are you referring to by your comment about a “lot of misinformation regarding Gene LaVerne’s association with the [Lone Star] Ranch” ? You can contact me privately if you wish. Thanks in advance. Gene was my father and I’m confident that whatever positive things are said about my father, and whatever achievements he is credited with, are true and valid.
Janice, Thank You for posting this wonderful article. My family, Mom & Dad and 6 sisters lived just down the road across from the old fish hatchery. I think we moved to Reeds Ferry around 1956. I have great memories of the Lone Star ranch as I hung out with Mr Worthens’ son at the time. Mr Worthen let me enjoy all those country stars for free as long as I stuck around after shows and helped with the clean up. Can’t remember all the Great Star’s I saw, but certainly remember Johnny Cash in ’63 and ’64. Also, Tex Ritter drove all the way there in his beautiful convertible Caddy with with Texas longhorns mounted on the front of the hood and Silver Dollars mounted all over the dash! I was nine or so and I;ll never forget it. We moved to Nashua sometime in 1964, but before we left that summer I remember making friends with Ernie Tubb’s bus driver, and during a Sunday show he let me watch Ed Sullivan on the buses built in TV. It was mounted into the dash board and it was the first time I’d seen the Beatles. I live in western Montana now but managed to go back to Reeds Ferry for a short visit in 2018. My old house is still there, but now a business of some sort, it was right next to the Fresh Vegetable Stand place. Three of my sisters and I had lunch at the old Smith’s Barn Restaurant just up the street, I remember old Mr. Smith driving around in his Model “T” truck as a kid, long time ago. The Lone Star Ranch area certainly has changed since those days. -Bob Brousseau
I was a member of Dwight Davis and the Linemen and have such great memories performing at the Lone Star not only with the band but also playing with or backing up Hank Williams Jr. Joe Maphis, Kitty Wells, Tommy Cash and many others.
-Arnie Ashford
Arnie, wow you are a local celebrity, and the band was a favorite in New Hampshire and beyond 🙂 Anything you’d like to share–stories, photographs, etc. I am open to! You should write a book about your memories! 🙂 Or a story at the very least, I would be honored to publish it on my blog for you!
in late 1940 and 1950 my family went to the lone star ranch every sunday during the summer. my cousins and i had the best times there. I am now 80 years old and still smile at all the great memories. seems like it was yesterday. remember the singers the games and i also won a contest and was on stage. so much fun. the best times
Lorelei, thank you for reading and commenting to my post. It is wonderful that you have good memories of the Lone Star Ranch. I have yet to meet someone who had negative comments, and that is a real tribute to the place. I only have memories of the sounds of the music and the crowds as my family drove by on their way to visit relatives. Today, I wish I’d been able to see it up close just once.
Sincere thanks to Janice Brown for organizing this historical collection of photos and memories, and writing and posting this comprehensive article. It is a treasure house of material. Really appreciated the painstaking effort to organize the genealogical information on the Bell family. As a small boy, I remember first meeting “Grammy Bell” while my father (Gene LaVerne) was having lunch with her, and she was unforgettable. What an amazing lady !! In stumbling through the internet, looking for material on the Lone Star Ranch, which I have fond memories of from the 1960s and 1970s, I ran across a collection of photos taken by published photographer and artist Henry Horenstein. Born and raised in New England, Horenstein’s 2003 book, “Honky Tonk: Portraits of Country Music,” has a number of excellent photos taken in the 1970s at the Lone Star Ranch. Some of them can be accessed online. They are worth checking out.
Mark, thanks for posting and commenting. Most people who actually attended the early Lone Star Ranch events have only wonderful things to say about your father. You have many reasons to be proud of him. Thanks for the info about the Honky Tonk book. If you have anything to add to the history, you can either post a comment or write to me at janicebr@earthlink.net
Janice, there is a new publication (in print only) called Honky Tonk Times published by Taylor Austin (Cousin Early) from Williston, VT. The first issue came out in March 2021. The first three issues will each have an article about the Lone Star Ranch focusing on the years that it was owned by Buzz Whittaca (Carl Worthen Sr), my Father. The article was written by Gary Hutchins who made his first appearance on the “Ranch” stage as an 11 year old in 1966 and continued for 17 years. Taylor describes his new publication as “a bridge between classic country, and the new country music that has a traditional feel.” . For more info. go to: Thehonkytonktimes.com
Randy Worthen Sr.
Thanks for the info Randy. Unfortunately the Honky Tonk Times doesn’t provide any of the stories online, you have to buy the magazine to read it.
I remember going there as a child,I remember the locals better then the famous performers. My favorites being Dick curlers, of whom I have an autographed album, and Ronnie James and the wranglers. I remember them doing there own version of green green grass of home. It was pretty comical, and I remember during the performance he looked up and said go away mosquito and everybody laughing. I forgot about Dwight Davis until reading this article. Loved that place
Thanks for sharing. Dick Curless was a frequent performer at the Lone Star Ranch, and a good friend of my Dad, Gene LaVerne. His biggest hit (among many) was “Tombstone Every Mile.” I was a teenager when he performed there and he was great.
Nice to see many old “ranchers” here. I still keep many of the fond memories, and this site brought a few more into mind. I still remember the drives from Watertown, MA, and then from Holliston, MA to the Ranch. The anticipation of a fudge-nut-vanilla ice cream cone, and then a ride on the horses around the track kept me on the edge of my seat in the old Pontiac station wagon (along with 9 brothers and sisters). My Uncle never forgot to bring his guitar, and was always allowed into some of the dressing room trailers to pick-and-grin with some other this country’s top performers! THANKS for the information, and I will be taking a drive in that direction, no that I live in Temple, NH. One thing I’ll never forget, and that was the smell of the out houses. I guess there are condos sitting on the old site 🙁 !
Gary, thanks for sharing your fun memories of Lone Star Ranch. Yes, there are condos sitting on the old site. The old Fish & Game building just south is perhaps the only nearby landmark you might remember.
Thank you for this great write up. The Bells are my paternal grandmother’s family. Leman R is my gg-gf. I remember the Lone Star ranch.
Dawn, thanks for your comment. The Lone Star Ranch was a very popular place in Merrimack and continues to be a source of interest, and fond memories, for many. — Janice
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Fantastic article!
I grew up a few miles down the road off Bedford Road on Davis Road. I was born in ’75 and I remember my parents taking me to performances and I seem to remember their being an auction house there as well.
My father used to tell me I sat on the laps of all the famous country-western singers when I was a baby.
I always enjoyed seeing the ranch when we would drive from Merrimack to Bedford/Manchester.
Thanks for helping keep it’s history alive!
Cheers,
Sid
My Dad “Tex Stone was lead guitarist with Bob Bell and the Sundowners and played many times at the Lone Star. I went sometimes as a kid and it was a great place with many memories of my Dad and all the good folks and bands he became friends with over the years. So glad to see someone capturing the history of this great place!
Gary, thanks for the wonderful bit of history of the musicians that played at Lone Star Ranch. That topic seems to be one of the most popular ones on my blog.
Hi Gary, I remember fondly passing the Lonestar Ranch many times on our way to the Christmas auctions at Zylas. When I was a boy, I marvel at the majestic horse statue that stood proudly in the entrance. In fact, one time in the late 1970’s, I went to Christmas Zyla auction that was housed in a building on the grounds. My mother went to one of your outdoor concerts in 1984/85 to see her childhood idol Georgia Mae. Thanks for sharing this post .
Wayne, today that horse is on the roof of The Circle Nine Ranch in Epsom, NH. It was moved to that location shortly after the Lone Star Ranch closed and a few years ago was mounted on the roof.
Hey Gary, its Heather Worthen, granddaughter of Buzz. I have always wondered what happened to the horse, it was something I always loved as a child when I watched Grampy, “Buzz” perform every Sunday. Thank you for all of the information that you have collected about the Lone Star Ranch.
In 1963 Flat and Scruggs performed at the ranch. Earl gave a lesson session in the shed to the left of the stage. I sat on the ground watching him and was so mesmerized by him the next day I went to the bank in Westerly RI and borrowed $300 to buy a Gibson Mastertone banjo I still have today. I remember it like it was yesterday!! Saw many concerts there including Johnny Cash with a guest named June Carter!
Remember going there with my older brother to see Hank Jr twice. What a wonderful place and in a much better and simpler time. It seemed like it took forever to get there from Ossipee. The ride home was always a little more adventurous though…
I miss the fun and the auctions we put on during the show with Freddy D’Abbraccio and John Zyla.As we watched Joe the Flip perform
My Dad (Tex Stone of the Sundowners) mentioned Joe LaFlippe. I have a promo picture of Joe my Dad kept.
Hi Folks! Sorry I’m late to the party!
Does anyone know if Eddie Zack performed at the ranch with any of his bands? Whether it be Eddie Zack & His Dude Ranchers, Eddie Zack and The Hayloft Jamboree, or even simply as the Dude Ranchers. They were big in the New England country circuit in the 1950s but I can’t find anything online putting them at the ranch.
The Bells are my wife’s 3x great grandparents and Eddie Zack was a good friend’s great grandfather. It would just be a fun story to know that our families had crossed paths all those years ago.
Wish we could help you but can’t find an Eddie Zack in our records. My husband is Randy Worthen son of the Ranch owners. He does not remember that name. Good luck in your search
Thank you for responding!
I did notice, from googling Eddie Zack, that Rocky Carroll was a member of his band at one time. Rocky did perform at the Ranch for a number of years. I was young in the mid sixties but remember him and his raccoon hat.
Gary, Randy remembers Rocky Carroll but not Eddie Zack.
My Dad was John Rosinski from Gardner MA. He was a member of the Bar X Cowboys, with the stage name Smilin’ Johnny Ross. He played alongside Doc Snow (Edgar Arsenaulr) and Sparky Lane (Carmen Lettelie) many times at the Lonestar Ranch, and even helped to run it for a couple years (as this article says). I spent 30 years in the music biz, and my first recollection of hearing live music was being around 5 and going to the Lonestar Ranch with my Dad. I vividly recall meeting a tall, skinny guy in a huge white hat and wild hillbilly outfit. He knelt down to me, and talked to me like I was a grown up. What a nice fellow! I learned from Dad, many years later, that the tall skinny gentleman was Ernest Tubb.
Pleasant memories of my Uncle Arnold Bishop and his playing partner, Don Brewster in the late 50s and 60s. It was always a great time. The owners at that time were always great. Being a young kid, I was really impressed. I have been trying to categorize some real old photos and found photos of my visits to the Ranch. Great Memories!
Was usually in the front row. Grandparents knew the owners whose kids went to school with my aunts and uncles.
Was kiss on the cheek by Kitty Wells when I was about 10 around 1955.
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