- It has been reported in the media and
on the internet that the Redding War Ranch, located at 37° 2.91' north
latitude and 107° 1.44' west longitude (GPS) next to Mt. Archuleta
(straddling New Mexico - Colorado border), is rumored to be an undercover
facility engaged in secret activity connected with Mt. Archuleta. These
rumors further state that the ranch has eight armed guard watch towers
scattered along the property. In addition, there is an unusual round steel
(and air conditioned) building located behind a ranch entrance gate on
the opposite side of the property (37° 6.02' north latitude and 107°
2.85' west longitude - GPS).
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- A metal plaque prominently posted on
a watch tower door identified the manufacturer as Houston Blow Pipe &
Steel Plate Works (P.O. BOX 1692, Houston, TX 77251-1692, phone: 713-675-2273,
FAX: 713-675-5038). Having seen the towers and being interested in their
origin and purpose, a simple phone call was made to the phone number above.
It was learned during the phone conversation that the President and CEO
of the company is Mr. W. A. Redding. Contrary to the myths that have been
perpetuated, a simple explanation was provided by Mr. Redding.
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- 1) Mr. Redding stated that the watch
towers are actually hunting stands with the brand name "The Ultimate
Hunting Stand." The hunting stands on the ranch are weather proof-heavy
gauge steel construction (5 feet diameter, 850 pounds est. total weight)
equipped with 10 feet high steel angle frame supports, steel ladder or
a steel walk-up type stairway with steel pipe hand railing, propane heater
and tank, five large one way mirror-pane plate glass (hinged and latched)
windows (hunters can see out, but game cannot see inside), swivel chair,
and indoor-outdoor carpet on floor and side wall. Further, the stands are
used for photographing game and birds, and hunting of game (deer, elk,
javelina, moose, sheep and turkeys). According to published literature,
the stands have been in production since 1963 and employ 75 years of hunting
and 60 years of steel fabrication experience in their design for all-weather
hunting.
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- 2) The round steel building is a bunk
house for ranch hands designed and manufactured by Mr. Redding's Houston
steel company. The bunk house design employs the same all-weather heavy
gauge steel construction as the hunting stands along with air conditioning
and fuel-oil heater. It is not currently being used.
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- 3) The owner of the Redding War Ranch
is Mr. Redding himself. He can be contacted at the phone number given above.
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- 4) The Redding War Ranch is used to raise
small herds of Beefalo.
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