Since 1886: The Turnbull Legacy

By Twila Miller

Some places are measured in acres; but few can be measured in generations.

For the Turnbull family, the story of this land began in 1886 when Cyrus Turnbull made his way from what is today the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge in Cheney, Washington, to land that would later become Sagle, Idaho. Like many early settlers, he established a home and began improving the land years before it was officially surveyed. In 1904, Cyrus received the homestead patent for 160 acres. Seven years later, in 1911, his son, Oliver Turnbull, received a 160-acre homestead for an adjoining parcel, further establishing the family's roots in North Idaho.

Today, portions of those original homesteads are integrated as part of a 120-acre property that has remained in the Turnbull family for well over a century. Throughout that time, the land has continued to evolve while remaining true to its character. Forested hills give way to open pasture. Fry Creek winds through the property, feeding wetlands and a small pond that provide habitat for countless species of wildlife. Deer, elk, mountain lion, turkey, grouse, quail, the occasional moose and bear, waterfowl, and countless smaller creatures all find refuge among the forests, fields, and wetlands that have long defined this landscape.

While much has changed since Cyrus first settled here, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to caring for the land. Each generation has recognized that they are not simply owners, but stewards entrusted with preserving something larger than themselves.

Today, portions of those original homesteads are coming together as part of a 120-acre conservation easement, created in partnership with Kaniksu Land Trust. Although the property will remain privately owned, the Since 1886: The Turnbull Legacy Conservation Easement, permanently protects the property's agricultural heritage, wildlife habitat, wetlands, forests, and the natural beauty that has characterized the land for generations further ensuring it will be protected from future subdivision and development, ensuring that its conservation values endure.

The Turnbull family hopes this conservation easement reflects the same values that have guided them for generations: respect for the land, responsible stewardship, and the belief that some places are worth preserving not only for those who live there today, but for those who will inherit them tomorrow.

More than 140 years after Cyrus Turnbull first made his home along Fry Creek, the family's promise to care for this land continues—ensuring that its forests, fields, wetlands, and wildlife will remain part of North Idaho's landscape for generations to come.