Rock Springs Guest Ranch was built in 1969 by Donna Gill. Donna owned and operated two other ranch properties prior to Rock Springs, and bringing horses and people together was a way of life for her.
Before
her foray into Central Oregon, Donna was a teacher. Her
education background is extensive and interesting in itself.
Donna attended the University of Oregon, University of Hawaii,
and also studied in Puerto Rico. She received her teaching
certificate in the early 30’s and taught high school in
Albany, OR, and Oregon City, OR. Without a doubt, Donna was an
extraordinary person. In fact, as a young girl, she entered a
national essay contest through the Girl Scouts of America and
won the first prize- a trip around the world. She was never
able to take the trip as it was during the depression and the
company who sponsored the contest went out of business.
In the late 1930’s, Donna Gill opened a girl’s camp on the Santiam Pass called Camp Tamarack, which she operated from 1935 until 1955. She closed temporarily during WWII to work for the Coast Guard helping with promotional rallies for recruiting. Upon returning to Oregon, she reopened the camp, and took a partner. Eventually, the partner wanted to expand and take in more campers. Donna felt that she would not be able to interact with all of the girls at her camp with the increased numbers, so she sold Camp Tamarack to her partner. Camp Tamarack is still in existence today.
Donna’s next enterprise was a guest ranch in Sisters named Indian Ford, which she operated from 1956 until 1967. Donna ran Indian Ford in much the same way that Rock Springs’ summer program still runs. After 12 years of operation, she sold Indian Ford to a developer and went into retirement. Half of the ranch became a private estate; the other half became home sites.
After traveling for a few years, Donna began to miss the families who visited Indian Ford. She had never married, and had no children. She also was not able to spend much time with her brother’s family, who had a summer home adjacent to Indian Ford.
While in Bend, Donna came across an ad in the local newspaper for a piece of property advertised as a great location for a guest ranch. She looked at the property, fell in love with it, and bought it the next day. Rock Springs was purchased on July 1, 1969, and its first rentals were in 1970. She built the lodge and cabins, and opened Rock Springs Guest Ranch to the public in the summer of 1971.
John Gill, Donna’s nephew, has been operating
Rock Springs Ranch since Donna’s death in 1983. John has
added a few of his own touches to the summer program and
continues to expand the corporate meeting aspect of the ranch.
He and his staff strive to offer guests the personal service
and familiar atmosphere made famous by his aunt.
John has served for many years on the board of directors of the Dude Ranchers' Association, and is currently president of this national organization. He is joined by his wife, Eva, and family in extending western hospitality to those families who choose to spend a week of their summer vacation at Rock Springs Guest Ranch.
