Our History

In the early 1870’s Irishman John Kelly was drawn into Modoc County, CA from the Napa Valley for health reasons.  Located in the absolute northeast corner of California where the State meets the Oregon and Nevada borders, John was attracted to a 320 acre pine tree covered ranch that was known locally as the Hot Springs Ranch.

John raised his family here and was known to tout the region’s healthy climate and the hot springs in his later years.  According to the Sacramento Union newspaper’s issue of January 26, 1920, “George Kelley, well-known stock man, sold his ranch property west of Alturas, comprising somewhere about 1400 acres, to the Anklin Brothers of Big Valley, the purchase price being $45,000. It is reported that Kelley is on a deal to buy, from his father John, the Hot Springs Ranch just east of Canby.

The Hot springs is one of the scenic wonders of Modoc County, the water boiling up out of the ground at a temperature that is hardly believable. The spring is also famous locally for its curative powers especially in the case of skin disease or rheumatism.”

Ownership of The Hotsprings Ranch changed a number of times through the 19th century, but the spring and it’s downstream pools retained the name of Kelley Hot Spring through different owners.

In 1999 Ron Ketler was making the 80 mile drive from Merrill, OR to Alturas, CA when he noticed steam rising from a green pasture lined with pine trees. Within a year, he lead a small partnership that purchased the property and named their aquaculture company after the ranching family that had made it; Kelley Hot Spring Fish Incorporated.