It was about 40 years ago that Leroy Coleman saw to it that the diary of John Lawrence, known as “the founder of Saguache Count-y,” was published. Up until that time, most folks of my generation knew very little about this man’s colorful life and his many accomplishments. When I first saw a picture of John Lawrence’s ranch house, I recognized it as the “Bud” Noland place. 

According to Lawrence’s diary, in the summer of 1893, he built a  “handsome New England type louse with a captain’s walk, sufficiently spacious to house the Woodsons and the foster children.” (This house at the corner of 3rd St. and Gunnison Ave., was in later years the home of the Daniel Vigil family and is present1y owned by Gloria Goehl.)

From recent conversations with Noland’s grandson, “Bud” Gillmor, I have learned that in 1896, the Noland family moved to this ranch and made it their home until 1940, when they moved to town. Both of E.B. “Bud” and Fanny Noland’s children, Harry and Evlyn, were born and raised on the original Lawrence ranch 3 miles west of Saguache.

Both John Lawrence and “Bud” Noland were colorful characters and each served as mayor of Saguache at one time. In 1924, Mr. Noland owned a mountain ranch up in the Cochetopa area which he developed into a dude resort. As he was making plans for this business, someone asked ‘Bud” what he planned to raise on this high altitude ranch. His reply was “bananas” - so for many years, this was known as the “Banana Ranch -Resort.”

Down through the years, the Banana Ranch has changed owners several times. It is presently owned by Bill Hoyt Jr. and is called the Sylvan Ranch. After the Noland family moved from the John Lawrence ranch, it was owned by Gotthelf Inv. Co. for a few years until it was sold to Newhall Land arid Cattle Co.  Succeeding owners were A.Z.L. and Bill Dameron, then a few years ago Gary Hill bought the ranch.

It is good to know that the original buildings are still standing and will be preserved.