About the Klein Ranch

Historic Overview
Of the
VIX Ranch
By: James Klein

The VIX Ranch, consisting of 230 acres, was originally purchased in 1939 by my Grandfather, Rev. Walter Klein. It was originally called the JP Ranch (JP bar – the cattle brand that he used at the time). Grandpa Klein was a United Church of Christ minister in Cleveland, Ohio. He continued his ministry until the mid-1970s with churches in New Castle, Silt and Fairview (up Divide Creek south of Silt) where he would preach in German to the immigrants in the area. The original VIX Ranch, also owned by Grandpa Klein, is now the Castle Valley Ranch, a subdivision located in New Castle. Grandpa sold the original VIX Ranch in 1964, but kept the VIX name, which we still use today.

My mother (Beverly), my father (Chuck), my brother (John), and I moved back to New Castle from Youngstown, Ohio in 1978 when I was eleven (11) years old. We moved back to continue working the Ranch. Today, we still run fifty head of cattle, which are currently grazing on Clinetop Mesa, located several miles north of the Ranch, which is a range where our family has owned a U.S. Forest Service Grazing Permit since purchasing the Ranch in 1939.

I would like to welcome everyone who attends this year’s Realm Festival to thoroughly enjoy the beauty and serenity of this property, as well as a multitude of artists performing outstanding music.

Sincerely,

James Klein