HISTORY
Heron’s Nest Farm, LLC, owns the farm where Walnut Bend Lodge is located and was formed in 2009 by 5th-generation Stone County residents passionate about clean water and the preservation of our natural resources.
History of THE missouri-pacific railroad
Crane Creek is one of few trout streams to have a thriving population of McCloud River rainbow trout, with no stocking additions since they were last seeded into the creek in the 1920’s. Originally from California’s McCloud River, the trout were transported by train to Missouri and the fingerlings were propagated into the creek by the Missouri Department of Conservation with help from the workers of the Quail Spur Railroad Connector, a spur off the Missouri-Pacific Railroad – White River Division – that once paralleled the creek. These trout are truly wild and have reproduced on their own for over 100 years.
Family History
We are committed to providing a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience by offering private access recreational opportunities along 3/4 mile of Crane Creek flowing through the farm. The farm has been part of a family-owned dairy farm operation since 1975 and currently is still farmed for the production of hay and other forage grains.
Originally owned by Jeanie Skibiski’s grandparents, the farm was part of a 3-farm dairy operation. At its peak, the dairy was operating on 800 acres and milked 200 cows each day. Like many other dairies, this one closed in 2012.
Conservation & Preservation
Immediately downstream from the Southern section of the Missouri Department of Conservation Wire Road Conservation Area, Walnut Bend Lodge includes direct access along some of the most private and exquisite parts of the “Blue Ribbon” section of Crane Creek available anywhere. This conservation area, named for a vital Civil War telegraph line, had essential connections between opposing armies before and after the Battle of Wilson’s Creek in August 1861. A major trail of some sort is thought to have existed in this area since Europeans first traveled in Stone County. A fork of the Cherokee Trail of Tears also passed through this area, as well as the famous Butterfield Stage Route.
Flowing into the James River and Table Rock Lake, Crane Creek is part of the largest watershed in southwest Missouri which consists of almost a million acres of land in portions of eight counties. Walnut Bend Lodge and Heron’s Nest Farm, LLC supports The James River Basin Partnership (JRBP) and H2Ozarks to help improve and protect the water quality of the springs, streams, rivers, and lakes in the James River watershed.
