Kingston Ranch is located in Mesquite Valley, California – in the northern outskirts of San Bernardino County, two and 1/2 miles south of Sandy Valley, Nevada. (Locals generally refer to the entire valley as “Sandy Valley.” In 1925, Hart Reynolds, a retired sheriff from Southern California, homesteaded the Ranch. Hart raised Palomino quarter horses, and he always wore a six-gun. It is rumored that on one occasion, Hart shot at a building inspector and chased him off the property. In Hart’s later years, his enemies were sometimes imaginary. When this occurred, Hart would burst from his house blasting his .44 in all directions. Workers hit the deck or ran for cover.
Kingston Ranch is located on Kingston Road. The name Kingston originated with a scout, C. L. Kingston, who routinely traveled the Santa Fe Trail which meandered through Las Vegas, over the Mountain Springs Pass and on the west side of the mountains west of Sandy Valley. Kingston blazed a “cut-off” through the west side of Sandy Valley and around the south end of the mountains, which can still be seen today. This became known as the “Kingston Cutoff.” The highest peak to the west bears the name “Kingston.”
In 1983, the Kingston Ranch was sold to Jerry and Marian Curtis. Jerry built what is now the main ranch house and constructed the lake. He fenced in 160 acres and raised cattle. Jerry also obtained approval from the FAA for a private landing strip which, for the next 12 years, consisted of a 2,000-foot dirt runway. Jerry’s father was a miner at nearby Clark Mountain, and his sister, Jan Smith, became the Justice of the Peace in Jean, Nevada. Jerry was an avid flyer. Before the mesquite trees were cleared to make way for the runway, Jerry often landed his plane on Kingston Road.
In 1995, Al Marquis, a Las Vegas attorney, purchased Kingston Ranch and surrounding acreage. Substantial improvements were made including the construction of a 3,440′ paved and lighted runway. Additional land was purchased until 440 acres were accumulated. The property was subdivided into 40-acre parcels. The first sale took place in early 1997, and by 2004, all parcels had been sold.
One of the initial buyers was Marilyn Gubler, a lifetime Las Vegan and former Nevada State Republican Chairman. Marilyn developed Sandy Valley Ranch on 100 acres, which hosts corporate retreats, weddings, trail rides and other activities.
Another buyer was actor Tony Curtis and his wife Jill, who developed the Shiloh Horse Rescue and Sanctuary on their 40 acres.
