Founded in 1876 by Charles Goodnight and John George Adair,[2] it is the oldest cattle ranching operation in the Texas Panhandle.

Its headquarters area was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 for its association with Goodnight, one of the most influential cattle barons of the late 19th century.

The main ranch house, now a museum devoted to Charles Goodnight, is located a short way south of United States Route 287.

The main portion of the house, built beginning in 1879, has rough stone walls on the ground floor and a wood-framed second story.

He then entered into a partnership with John Adair, a wealthy landowner from Co. Laois in Ireland, who funded the ranch's expansion while Goodnight managed it.