Double R Guest Ranch

The Double R Guest Ranch LLC was established in 1908 by Dr. R.G. Roth, MD, the grandfather of the present day owners. Dr. Roth brought his family, Mother, and brother here to settle, to ranch and to practice medicine. Homesteaders made their living accommodations out of sod because of the lack of natural resources, such as trees or stone. These sod houses (soddies) were very efficient keeping cool in the summertime and staying warm in the winter because of sod being a natural insulator. On the downside, a soddie was home to bugs and snakes and dirt would constantly fall from the ceiling. But Pat’s Aunt Elsie lived in this soddie until 1994! The original circa 1910, District 66, One Room Schoolhouse sits over by the lake. It had school for the last time in 1961. Some of the books came with the schoolhouse, as did the desks, and the piano, and one bookcase. The schoolhouse has been refurbished and stores part of the library of books of the family the owner has acquired. If you would like, it can be arranged so you can go inside and look around. In addition to the schoolhouse and the sod house, there is the Hooker County Historical Society Old Hotel Museum, in Mullen that can be shown by appointment. It is housed in the original Hamm Hotel which was purchased by the historical society c. 1985 and converted into a museum. About 8 miles south and west of the ranch you might enjoy seeing the Dry Valley Church. It has also been completely restored to its original condition and although they do not hold regular services there, do have a Memorial Day Service and a Christmas Night Lamp Light Service every year.