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Continuing the history

Our Mission Over Profit

Crooked Creek Cattle Company was built by generations who lived and worked the land. Today, as a nonprofit, we’re committed to preserving that legacy — not just as history, but as a foundation for the future. Through conservation, education, and community engagement, we keep Western heritage alive for generations to come.

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Our History

Crooked Creek Cattle Company’s history is rooted in generations of ranching, conservation, and a deep respect for the land. Our story is one of perseverance, tradition, and preserving the spirit of the West. 

The Hands That Built 4C

“Dusty Dirty Dog”

Dirty Old Dog Horse
Dirty came out of the Pryors wild and untamed. Royce broke him, Nikki rode him. He gave everything he had — even if that meant running off now and then.

Mr. & Mrs. Frank Strong

Frank and Ellen Ma Strong - Founders
Frank and Ellen Strong built more than a ranch — they built a way of life. Through grit, generosity, and deep ties to the land, they laid the foundation Crooked Creek still stands on today.

Royce Tillett

Royce Tillett
Royce trained in the last U.S. Cavalry unit, riding a black horse with a busted jaw. One runaway cleared a jeep. He led with grit, calm, and a lifetime of ranching.

Bess Strong-Tillett

Bess - Crooked Creek
Bess carried the heart of the ranch in her saddlebag. Tough as leather, sweet as sage, and always steady, she helped shape the family and the land they loved.

Tillett Family Roots

Tillett Family 1888
Generations stood shoulder to shoulder to build this ranch into what it is today. Hard work, love for the land, and deep roots — the Tillett family made Crooked Creek home.

The Ranch Horses

Crooked Creek Tribute
These moments, faces, and stories are stitched into the land. Every fence post, hoofprint, and fire brings the past to life for a new generation to carry forward.

Our Family Tree

Crooked Creek Cattle Company wouldn’t be what it is today without the family who founded it — the Tilletts. As part of our mission, we aim to honor and share the stories of the Tilletts and other ranching families who helped shape life in the Pryor Mountain region. But who exactly are the Tilletts, and how are they all connected?

Below is a brief diagram highlighting the early branches of the Tillett family tree.

Check back here as we add more of our family history!

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