About Us

Conveniently located between Sequim and Port Angeles on the North Olympic Peninsula, McDonnell Creek Ranch consists of sixty-two small-acreage lots with fine homes in a rural setting. The development of approximately 223 acres is situated just minutes from Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and Recreation Area, Olympic Discovery Trail and Robin Hill Park, with opportunities for many recreational activities. Home sites offer wide open spaces and Olympic Mountain views. A private forested trail following McDonnell Creek provides access to coastal beaches, while a walk to the bluff from Mariners Point Road culminates in sweeping views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and British Columbia.

A Brief History

McDonnell Creek Ranch emerged from the vestiges of the ill-advised Voice of America broadcasting station project called Baker West. In 1953 the United States Department of State purchased from local families about 1200 acres of land near the Dungeness Spit for $356,000. The tract extended east from McDonnell Creek to Holgerson Road and north from Woodcock to the bluff. Buildings were quickly condemned and removed, trees were logged and sold, and topsoil was cleared to level the site for construction of the massive antennas needed to broadcast overseas. But within a year, all work stopped. Testimony during the Senate McCarthy hearings exposed the Baker West site as inappropriate for long range broadcasting, along with accusations of misspent funds. The site was declared unneeded excess, and it was proposed to sell the land back to the former owners. A reappraisal of the now-bare land was about half the purchase price and, along with millions of dollars poured into the defunct development, the project resulted in a large financial loss for the government. While some original owners opted out of the repurchase offer, others bought back and put the land into agricultural use or held it for investment. Clallam County purchased a large parcel to create the park on Voice of America Road next to Dungeness NWR.

McDonnell Creek Ranch was established on a tract of this land in 1973 by H.L. and Grace Olstead, and in 1976 the McDonnell Creek Ranch Owners Association officially formed with the recording of the Articles of Incorporation. In 1977 a second phase of development added the lots on Olstead Lane and south to Woodcock. Mariners Point was added in 1982 and the walking easement to the bluff overlook was recorded two years later to secure its use for all MCROA members. (Photo of McDonnell Creek Ranch circa 1978 by Kathy Smith.)

Today members pasture their horses, sheep and goats on mini-farms, and help maintain the walking trails and common areas. The Straitside Ranch, operating since 1989, raises miniature Herefords and hays the open fields for other homeowners. Bald Eagles nest in the trees along the McDonnell Creek common area, and deer, coyotes and various small wildlife frequent the neighborhood.

MCROA governance

The McDonnell Creek Ranch Owners Association is governed by a Board of five Trustees elected by Members at the Annual Meeting as terms expire.

• Powers and duties of the Board are enumerated in the Association’s Bylaws.
• The Board meets regularly throughout the year as determined by the Trustees.
• Members are invited to attend in person or by Zoom.
• The Annual Meeting of the Association is held during the first 10 days of May each calendar year.
• Committees and Task Forces are chaired by a Trustee and conduct business as requested by the Board.
• All members of the Board, Committees and Task Forces are volunteers from the Membership.