Blythewood Remembers the Legendary JJ Ranch
It was an evening filled with nostalgia and warm memories in Blythewood. Almost one hundred people gathered for a special reunion to honor the JJ Ranch, a beloved dude ranch that brought a sense of adventure and a spirit of community to the town between 1958 and 1964. What started as a simple gathering turned into a heartwarming affair as former trail riders, now in their 70s and 80s, shared stories of their childhood experiences at the ranch.
A Magical Past
The event took place at the Langford-Nord house, where organizer Jim McLean opened the evening with a glimpse into the ranch’s history. He described how the JJ Ranch grew to become a central part of Blythewood’s culture, saying, “When Jimmy and Sybil Jennings rode into town with their young children, there may have been only one horse in the entire area. But after they left, nearly everyone was riding horses.”
In 1958, Jim and Sybil Jennings purchased 27 acres in downtown Blythewood and set out to create a dude ranch. As the ranch developed, so did the town’s engagement with the equestrian lifestyle. Many residents found themselves drawn to horse riding, embracing the western attire sold at the ranch’s store, now replaced by the local fire station.
Riding into Adventure
The former riders reminisced about their adventurous days spent at the JJ Ranch. They recalled long trail rides, camping under the starry sky, and the joy of pitching in to help around the ranch. “We were there almost every day,” one woman noted, “sometimes even until 10 p.m. on school nights!” These weren’t just weekend escapades; families, including well-to-do physicians from nearby Columbia, actively participated in ranch duties alongside their children.
“Uncle Jimmy was quite a character,” said Bob Woods, another presenter of the evening. “He had a way with people that could get anyone to join in and help out. The kids adored him.” Woods discovered through his research that Uncle Jimmy was, indeed, a real cowboy hailing from Texas, and “everything people said about him was true.”
Shared Memories
As the night progressed, many attendees took turns sharing their favorite memories. Laughter and the occasional tear filled the room as tales from their childhood unfolded. Josie Atkinson, the Jennings’ daughter and a former rodeo queen, shared her fond recollections and highlighted the lifelong friendships born at the ranch.
One former rider pocketed his nostalgia with vivid tales of the campfire meals, having beef stew from tin bowls served out of a chuck wagon. “Mornings would begin with Uncle Jimmy handing us soap and telling us to wash up in the pond,” she laughed, reliving those carefree days.
A Song to Remember
At one point, Margie McCrory Hicks brought her guitar to the gathering. Along with fellow rider Robby Horton, they sang a duet of the JJ Ranch song, written by Horton when he was just eleven years old. The lyrics painted a beautiful picture of their adventures, evoking smiles and a sense of belonging among all present.
A Bittersweet Ending
Unfortunately, the idyllic life at the JJ Ranch ended in tragedy when the Jennings tragically passed away in a plane crash in September of 1964. The entire town mourned deeply for the beloved family. Horton, who was just thirteen at the time, recalled shedding many tears after their loss. “Their influence was undeniable,” said Boo Major, who had her first riding lessons at the ranch. “I often wonder what Blythewood would be today had they lived.”
The spirit of adventure that the JJ Ranch fostered lives on in the hearts of those who once rode its trails. Even with its abrupt closure, the ranch brought immeasurable joy and community spirit to Blythewood. As the evening drew to a close, it was clear that the memories of the JJ Ranch would continue to shine brightly in the lives it touched.
