Howard Peterson's Ranches

(1950 - 2004)

Howard Peterson with grandkids and their friends - July 1969  

Peterson's history is intrinsically tied to its founder Howard Peterson and the many interests he was involved in. Ranching was always at the top of his list. Howard owned three ranches during his lifetime ... a huge coup considering the dirt poor beginnings he came from.

Triple J Ranch

In 1950, Howard bought 600 acres on the border of Alameda and Contra Costa counties and settled into ranching. He named it the Triple J Ranch for his three daughters ... Jeannie, Janie and Judy. It was at the Triple J that Buster and his Special Eqpt crews tested out many of the custom machines they built during the 50s and 60s. Peterson Tractor's logo of the 1950s even incorporated a stylized "J" shaped P into it, reflecting the Triple J ...

Blackhawk Ranch

In 1964, Howard bought the 6500-acre Blackhawk Ranch in Danville which, at one time, had belonged to Raymond Force, an original (1925) officer of Caterpillar Tractor Co. Howard was the third owner of Blackhawk (originally established in 1917). He rebuilt the ranch house, a new barn, a beautiful pool and pool house and raised quarterhorses, besides grazing cattle and running a 140-acre walnut orchard. In 1975, Howard sold all but 300 acres to Blackhawk Development Co. under the direction of Florida developer, Ken Behring. While the housing development was embroiled in controversy for several years, Howard started hunting around for a new ranch.

Diamond D Ranch

In 1980, Howard bought the Diamond D ranch in Middletown, California ... 40 miles northwest of the Napa Valley (and Howard's birthplace of Napa Junction). The Diamond D was Howard's final ranch, a 6,000-acre working cattle ranch with horses, alfalfa fields and acres of old oaks. The former owner was a collector of local Native American artifacts that came with the ranch and reflected the history of the area. In 2004, the Diamond D was sold in the settlement of Howard Peterson's estate. Today, grandson Duane Doyle (owner of Peterson Holding Co. and its Divisions) has the branding irons from each of the three ranches that his grandfather loved so much. Duane and his wife, Sue, also have four of the horses that came from Diamond D stock.

Links:

www.museumsrv.org/srvm_History_Blackhawk.html

Howard Peterson - the rancher,
at Triple J Ranch in the early 1950s  

Testing the Hoe Apron Scraper out at

the Triple J Ranch

Testing the Stretch Scraper out at Triple J in Dublin