DescriptionHelena mining entrepreneur W. C. Child established this ranch as White Face Farm about 1885, stocking it with some of the first purebred Herefords in Montana Territory. Then came the infamous hard winter of 1886–87 that decimated cattle herds on the open range. When spring arrived, Child determined to make provisions for his livestock in the event of another devastating winter. He built a massive fieldstone barn that held stalls for 500 cattle and could store 350 tons of hay; even today it is Montana’s largest barn. Shortly after constructing the barn, Child built the octagonal ranch house. With his permanent residence in Helena, Child used the structure only for entertaining. The entire second floor was an open ballroom, and guests arrived at the ranch in Child’s personal railroad car. This opulence was soon cut short, however. The Panic of 1893 ruined Child financially; he died that same year. As the ranch passed from owner to owner, its buildings deteriorated until the Paul Kleffner family began restoration in 1943. It is now known as the Kleffner Ranch and is listed in the National Register.Personal NamesChild, W. C.Kleffner, PaulOther Name(s)White Face FarmKleffner RanchContributing InstitutionMontana Historical Society Library and ArchivesGeolocation[1] Elevation3967 ftCountyJefferson County
