Est. 1658 · Montauk

The Ranch

The oldest cattle ranch in the United States, and the birthplace of the American cowboy.

Our Story

1658

In 1658 the settlers of East Hampton began driving their cattle out to graze the open pastures of Montauk each summer, with keepers living out on the land to tend them. Those keepers were among the first cowboys in America, and the ranch has been worked ever since.

In 2012 Patrick and Cate Keogh took over the ranch. They met here years ago, married right next door, and now work the land together with their children.

“This isn't just a place to ride horses.
It's got spirit. It has soul.”
Patrick Keogh, The East Hampton Star

The Keogh family under the ranch gate — The Keogh family under the gate.

Cate Keogh with one of the ranch horses — Cate Keogh, at home on the ranch.

Opening a horse show, 1980s — Opening a horse show, c. 1980s.

Barn raising, 1980s — Raising the barn, 1980s.

The Keogh family at the corral with their horses and dogs — The Keogh family at the corral.

The Land

Pasture, pond and shore.

Thousands of acres of preserved coastal land surround the ranch: rolling pasture below Third House, freshwater ponds, the woods, and the dunes down to the Sound.

The Herd

Meet the herd

Paints, palominos, Appaloosas and bays, from steady trail horses to ponies for the smallest riders. Among them are Cutter, Coal and Showtime Elvis, who you may know from “The Affair.”