In 1894 William Mclntyre purchased the first tract of land
from the Alberta Railway and Irrigation Company. The site
for the ranch buildings was located at the foot of the Milk
River Ridge where there was an excellent spring which
supplied water for the buildings and corrals. The cattle
brand IHL for any part of the body was issued by the
Registrar of Brands at Regina, North-West Territories.
The total area of deeded land acquired by William Mclntyre
was 64,000 acres in one block. In 1900 rye and oats
were crops planted. Timothy was planted on some of the
hay land.

In 1902 Hereford cattle were introduced to the ranch.

A big country, about 80,000 acres in area, between the
United States boundary and the north branch of the
Milk River had been leased by the Knight Sugar
Company in 1902. They subsequently re-leased it to
Mclntyre Ranching Company. It was used as a summer
range for Mclntyre cattle. This lease continued till 1912
when it was thrown open for homesteads and is now
known as Del Bonita, and Twin River Country.

This valuable lease land was soon settled by
homesteaders who came from every walk of life. They
had to travel through Mclntyre Ranch territory, and many
times stayed at the ranch headquarters. The Mclntyre
Ranch is still a good neighbor to the north.

Citie, Towns, Villiages and Hamlets of Southern Alberta