Dangberg back in court Friday

Friday, July 23, 1999 | 12:08 p.m.

Washoe District Judge James Hardesty heard from attorneys for Douglas County, the state of Nevada, property owners Dangberg Holdings Nevada and the estate of Katrina Glide, the last granddaughter of Carson Valley pioneer H.F. Dangberg Sr.

The legal wrangling began following Glide's death in 1995 and the subsequent sale of 9,900 acres of what was once a 48,000-acre ranch first established in 1856 in Carson Valley and California.

No formal appraisal of the property has been completed, but the state believes the disputed acreage is worth $1 million.

Friday's hearing was on motions for summary judgment sought by both sides - the current owners who want to keep the property as a cattle ranch operation, and the state and Dangberg heirs who want to carry out Katrina Glide's wish to bequeath the home ranch to Douglas County or the state of Nevada for a historic park.

Owners of the ranch believe that stock purchase and lease agreements signed 20 years ago are no longer in effect because of the sale of the property.

Changing politics have also contributed to the legal maneuvering which began in 1996. Commissioners at the time pressed forward with their claim to the property, going so far as to set aside $1.7 million in county reserves for refurbishing the decaying building. A year later, with new commissioners on board, the county decided it couldn't afford to operate and maintain the ranch.

The board agreed to accept a token $50,000 settlement from DHN in exchange for dropping its claim. Shortly before that deal was consummated, the Glide heirs and the state of Nevada petitioned to intervene.

That right was granted in May 1997. The ranch owners promptly appealed Christensen's order to the Nevada Supreme Court. In a 6-1 decision last month, the Nevada high court upheld Christensen's ruling and the case reverted to District Court.