In 1849 Charles Ogburn built a road to this site from Fort Reading, and that road later became part of the famed Noble Emigrant route. He built a cabin, planted orchards, and later sold the property to his brother John in 1856. Charlie’s Place became popular for its fine brandy and blacksmithing, while bear and bull fights promoted the family enterprise. In 1942 Herbert "Ringtail” Johnson bought the ranch from the Ogburn heirs. The second house on this site, built in 1867, burned in 1952.