to the National Park Service to form part of
the Pecos National Historical Park. After Fonda
purchased the ranch in 2000, she made a number
of improvements to the property, but maintained
the original architect’s distinctive style in the
reconstruction of the hacienda and the renovation
of the barn as a 12-stall stable with ranch office
and gym. She then added the River House, the
estate’s main residence, designed to look old to
blend in with the hacienda and barn.
With three-and-a-half miles of the Pecos River
in her front yard, the sound of water splashing
against stones and boulders along its winding
track to the Rio Grande, superior trout fishing
and peaceful views from the main house, the
9,600-square-foot River House is Spanish colonial
style with six bedrooms, four baths, high-beamed
ceilings, swimming pool and bell tower. It took
Fonda two years of riding the land, hiking and
camping out on the property to find the perfect
place to build the new home. She wanted every
modern convenience, but also a home that had
all the character of the past and blended with the
history of the land. She knew she was successful
when friend, Robert Redford, thought the house
was at least a hundred years old.
The entire compound is on 2,300 deeded
acres bordered by the Santa Fe National
Forest to the east and Pecos National Park to
the north. The hacienda, which was the main
home until Fonda built the River House, is
now used as a guest house with 2,125 square
feet. The original barn still remains, along
with a log guest house with 3,400 square feet.
Fonda feels that it is now time to pass the
ranch on to someone who will appreciate
its vast land, scenery and riverfront views.
She has also decided to sell her personal
literary collection, art, antiques, Navajo rug
collection displayed throughout the house,
furniture, ranch equipment and machinery
separate from the ranch.
37
Forked Lightning Ranch is priced for sale at
$19.5 million.
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SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY