Parker Brothers Ranch

the cattle barony of old DeSoto

Founded

1858 to 1963

Evidence class

historic or successor

Place

east of Arcadia, DeSoto County

District

Peace River valley

Status as of 12 September 2026

Gone; sold in 1963 and renamed Bright Hour Ranch.

Connections

3 edges, 3 distinct neighbours · betweenness 0.026 (rank 51 of 243) · location and lineage only 0.000 (rank 102) · outside share 0.33

Confidence

Medium · sources: [FHBP] (register)

Captain John Parker settles east of the future Arcadia in 1858 and the ranch grows to 125 square miles, about a quarter of DeSoto County; his five sons sell about 35,000 cattle in 1916 as the open range closes, and with the Browning family they establish the Arcadia rodeo in 1928 [FHBP].

Connections

Location and lineage

• foundedArcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeothe ranch family and their Browning managers create the event1928
• becameBright Hour Ranchthe sale to Calvin Houghland renames the ranch; roughly 80,000 acres continue1858 to 1963

Support

• supported byOpen range era and the 1949 fence lawthe brothers sell about 35,000 head as the open range closes1916