Unlike a farm which grows crops and offers products produced by livestock, a ranch is land where livestock such as sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs are raised.
Deep Hollow Ranch is a historic ranch located on the eastern end of Long Island, New York with an estimated 26 acre property. It is the oldest ranch in America. It is recognized as the oldest ranch in the United States by the National Geographic Society. Suffolk County government describes Deep Hollow Ranch as the first and oldest cattle ranch in the United States.
The compound includes several working barns, a 5,000-square-foot antique timber framed farmhouse, and a 2-acre buildable lot. This oldest ranch in the U.S. is also known as the birthplace of the American Cowboy.
With a history that dates all the way back to 1658, Deep Hollow Ranch is considered to be not only New York's oldest, but also America's oldest working ranch. The ranch traces its history back to the cattle punching of Long Island’s earliest settlers, who took advantage of the region’s lush pastures and the fact that the ocean and sound provided natural boundaries that made the need for fences moot. The ranch is situated right along the oceanfront.
At the peak of the South Fork ranching era – it was serious business for more than 275 years – as many as 6,000 head of cattle and sheep roamed the land between the beginning of May and the start of November. The property has hosted several "Back at the Ranch" charity concerts during the 1990's, which featured acts like Paul Simon and Billy Joel.
Today, Deep Hollow Ranch welcomes visitors all throughout the year. Also known as a horseback riding attraction, actual cowboys and cowgirls will be your tour guides, leading you out to breathtaking views of the ocean. It’s 90 minutes of walking and trotting through the beautiful parkland opening onto the beach at Oyster Pond for a ride along the shore and then back through the trail to the ranch.
Aside from horseback riding, Deep Hollow Ranch hosts various events and activities throughout the year, including cattle roundups, horsemanship clinics, and cowboy-style barbecues. These activities offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the authentic cowboy culture and gain a deeper appreciation for the ranching traditions of the area.
The former president of Marlborough Gallery, Max Levai, bought Deep Hollow Ranch in July of 2020 for $8.2 million. Under the new owner the ranch is now also considered an idyllic art destination.
Next to Deep Hollow Ranch an additional art exhibit called The Ranch now stands. A converted horse barn and its surrounding fields become a giant canvas, featuring the works of artists that Levai, now an independent dealer, still represents. In the barn, eight new works by Peter Halley currently take center stage; grand and luminous compositions inspired by Han Hoffman’s work with color and geometry. In an adjacent space, 30 drawings by the artist Susan Te Kahurangi King adorn the walls; the earliest, from 1958, were made when King was just seven years old. Outside, meanwhile, visitors are met with a series of sculptures by Frank Benson, Aaron Curry, Marianne Vitale, and Virginia Overton.
These days, the 26 acre property continues to care for horses and cattle, and is dedicated to maintaining the local ecosystem.Overall, Deep Hollow Ranch is a treasured landmark and popular destination for those seeking a genuine ranch experience in a beautiful natural setting. It combines history, horsemanship, and the charm of the American West, making it a unique attraction on Long Island.
