The Buckner family holds one of the most significant and well-documented legacies in Stehekin, Washington, primarily through their development and stewardship of what is now known as the Buckner Homestead Historic District and the famous Buckner Orchard in North Cascades National Park (specifically within Lake Chelan National Recreation Area). This site represents a classic example of early 20th-century homesteading, agriculture, and community life in the remote, roadless Stehekin Valley.
The story begins with the land’s earlier use: The 160-acre property along a horseshoe bend of the Stehekin River was first homesteaded and developed by William “Bill” Buzzard starting in 1889. Buzzard cleared land, built structures, and established basic farming before selling it in 1910 (or November 1910, per some accounts) to William “Van” Buckner (sometimes referred to as William Van Buckner) for around $5,000. Van Buckner, drawn to the area partly through family connections (his brother had earlier interests in nearby mining), arrived in the spring of 1911 with his wife May Buckner and their three children. They renamed the place Rainbow Ranch and had ambitious plans to develop it into a productive farm.
Initially, the Buckners treated it as a seasonal operation: They lived on the ranch only during summers, returning to California each fall to escape Stehekin’s severe winters. Over time, they invested heavily in improvements:
- In 1912, they began planting the orchard, sourcing young fruit trees from the Columbia & Okanogan Nursery in Wenatchee. They expanded it significantly, adding trees through 1924 until it covered nearly 50 acres (though today the core maintained area is around 10 acres).
- They built or expanded numerous structures: The main Buckner Cabin (with additions like a living room in 1915 and a bedroom/fireplace in 1921), outbuildings for animals and equipment, hayfields, irrigation ditches, and even a hand-dug concrete swimming pool for recreation.
- The property became a community hub, with the family raising livestock, growing crops, and maintaining the large apple orchard (primarily varieties like Common Delicious and Rome Beauties).
In 1929, Van Buckner transferred the homestead and orchard to his son Harry Buckner, who had already made it his year-round home (Harry also served as Stehekin’s postmaster). Harry and his wife Olive Buckner continued the operation, maintaining over 700 trees at times and raising their three daughters—Irene, Harriet, and Elizabeth Joy Buckner—on the ranch. The sisters grew up immersed in valley life, contributing to the family’s story of hard work and connection to the land.
The Buckners remained stewards of the property until 1970, when they sold it to the National Park Service as part of the expanding North Cascades National Park Complex (established in 1968). By then, the homestead included about 15 historic buildings representing architecture and life from the 1880s to the 1950s.
Today:
- The Buckner Homestead Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and preserved as a cultural landscape. It features the still-operational orchard (maintained by the NPS with community help), historic structures, irrigation systems, and remnants of farm life.
- The site hosts events like the annual Buckner Orchard Harvest Fest, where locals and visitors gather for apple picking, cider-making, and community activities—echoing traditions from the Buckner era.
- The Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation supports preservation, education, and historic photo archives related to the family and valley.
The Buckners’ century-long presence (1910–1970) left a lasting imprint on Stehekin, turning a modest homestead into a symbol of pioneer resilience, agriculture in a challenging alpine environment, and the valley’s transition from mining/tourism boom to protected national parkland. Unlike some families (e.g., the Courtneys, who remain multi-generational residents and business owners), the Buckners’ direct descendants are not as prominently active in Stehekin today, but their orchard and homestead endure as a living piece of history open to visitors via trails and self-guided walks.