Dillingham Ranch Celebrates 125 Years

Branches over the lane. Photo Courtesy: Dillingham Ranch.

Dillingham Ranch is located on the beautiful North Shore of O‘ahu. It holds a deep and captivating history; let us take a look back in celebration of its 125^th Anniversary! Hawai‘i Life’s Director of Conservation and Legacy Lands, Beth Thoma Robinson writes, “The traditional name for this ‘āina is Mokulē‘ia – which means ‘district of abundance.’ The North Shore is still referred to as The Country by O‘ahu residents who intend to keep it that way. This property (Dillingham Ranch) is embedded in a community with a strong sense of place.”1

Dillingham Ranch was established in 1897 by Benjamin Franklin Dillingham, who became Hawai‘i’s first railroad tycoon. In 1917, Dillingham’s son, Walter Dillingham, built Dillingham Lodge with the help of his siblings, Harold and Marion. Known as “Hawai‘i’s greatest builder,” Walter Dillingham is credited with shaping Dillingham Ranch into what it is today as well as changing the entire O‘ahu landscape.²

“From my father, I inherited the moving vision that saw these islands prosperous.”

Walter Dillingham

Dillingham Ranch is a rare property, offering all of the charms and essence of Hawai‘i, from white sandy beaches to mountain terrain and acres of open green space scattered with coconut trees, monkey pods and rare plant species indigenous to Hawai‘i. Peacocks and ducks flutter around the grounds while horses and cows graze in the fields. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding, surfing, hiking and parasailing while experiencing local culture and history, all in one truly special place.³

Dillingham Lodge of the “Big House.” Photo Courtesy: Dillingham Ranch.

Through the generations, Dillingham Ranch has welcomed notable guests and sportsmen and has been home to many cattlemen and ranchers. This piece of Old Hawai‘i has also served as the location for numerous feature films and television shows, as well as countless spectacular weddings.⁴Historic Hawai‘i Foundation was honored to hold an event at the historic Dillingham Ranch on May 11, 2019. More than 80 people gathered on a beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon to stroll the stunning property and learn about the history of ranching, the Dillingham Family, the Dollhouse and origins of Daughters of Hawai‘i, and the Hawaiian legends/archaeology/architecture of the main Lodge House from our volunteer docents. It was such a magical day, appreciating the beauty of this historic property and taking in all the history and stories behind this place.

Dillingham Ranch has left a prominent legacy here on O‘ahu. Times are ever changing and the future of Dillingham Ranch is still being written. It is currently for sale. Robinson said, “The buyer pool that we have seen in presenting this iconic legacy property is in tune with the realities of the future envisioned for Hawaiʻi, a future with more self-sufficiency in food and energy, an economy diversified with less reliance on tourism and land development.”⁵

Whoever the new stewards are of Dillingham Ranch, we hope they preserve the stories and history behind thisO‘ahu gemstone!

The 125th anniversary of Dillingham Ranch will be celebrated at the 2022 Preservation Honor Awards Ceremony and Reception on October 20, 2022. Click here for information about the event.