Cross Bar Ranch

In 1907 Alfred Gattey, as a boy of seventeen looking for adventure, sailed from England to Canada, arriving in Montreal. He then travelled by train to Red Deer where he was met by Roger Bartlett. In 1910 Bartlett and Gattey, having homesteaders' rights to a half section of free land, ventured east to the Neutral Hills with a democrat to find grazing land suitable for establishing a cattle ranch. They were directed to the east end of Gooseberry lake, and there, found a free flowing spring. As A.P. (Alfred Pratt) explained, "Being close to a lake, spring water, logs from the coulees for corrals and buildings, and natural shelter for cattle, all made me feel that the location was ideal." Bartlett and Gattey immediately settled, and began establishing Cross Bar Ranch.

The partnership continued for 10 years, but in 1920 Gattey bought Bartlett out. At that time Gattey insisted that, as they had agreed to call the place Cross Bar Ranch, he must retain the brand, "The sign of the cross, was something to look up to."

112 years later we still celebrate the achievements of those, whose foresight, faith, strength, endurance and dedication turned an adventure into a lifetime accomplishment!