The club was owned by Pat Patterson, the first African American basketball player at the University of Oregon, and Sherman "Cowboy" Pickett.

[2] Dude Ranch owners, Pickett and Patterson, booked popular local and national musicians including Lionel Hampton, Art Tatum, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, and the Nat “King” Cole trio.

On December 5, 1945, Norman Granz’ touring show “Jazz at the Philharmonic” visited Portland and held an impromptu jam session at the Dude Ranch.

[5] That night, saxophonist Coleman Hawkins led trumpeter Roy “Little Jazz” Eldridge, bassist Al McKibbon, and pianist Thelonious Monk.

The 240 North Broadway location of the Dude Ranch, considered by some to be "the hottest Black and Tan supper club west of Chicago," was closed in 1946.