John and Emma Turner are generally credited with being the first Euro-American settlers in the Bruneau Valley. However, the current 384-acre Turner Ranch was originally homesteaded by Benjamin Hawes and his family to produce hay and raise cattle.

The existing rock bunkhouse (pictured above) was adjacent to a two-story brick house the Hawes built around 1886.

Benjamin's son, Joseph, married John and Emma's daughter, Adelaide, and they moved into the house in 1897.

The property came under ownership of the Turners beginning in the late 19th century and continued with additional acquisitions until the mid-20th century.

The historic management of the property has resulted in high quality wildlife habitat for both upland birds and waterfowl.

The Clayton A. Turner Ranch is one of six "Idaho Century Farms" listed by the Idaho Historical Society for Owyhee County.

Here's what we know about the stucture pictured above:

• It was known to have been a bunkhouse to the main house that is no longer standing.
• It is likely the lower stone level may have been the original building where the family lived (it may have also been the first post office in the area).
• It later became an out building to the larger house after the house was constructed.
• At some point the second level (wood) was added and it became a bunkhouse with the lower level housing a generator.