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Snipes Mountain Restaurant
History
The Legend of Snipes Mountain
 In
the summer of 1859, a young man named Ben Snipes
drove his cattle into the Yakima Valley to build a
headquarters for his growing cattle business. The
spot was a perfect location. From it, he could
manage his cattle range, which bordered the Cascade
Mountains on the west and extended east beyond the
Columbia River, north to Canada and south to
Oregon. He built a modest log cabin and from it
managed a herd that is believed to have numbered
over 35,000.
Some winters on the range were severe, killing
thousands of cattle. But Ben Snipes would rebuild
his cattle empire and return to his headquarters in
the Valley. The log cabin was his hub of
operations, located on a site that could be
recognized by fellow ranchers for miles. It was a
place where a traveler could rest, enjoy good
company, and eat a fine meal.
It was known as Snipes Mountain.
 Much
has changed since that summer. Orchards and
vineyard cover Snipes Mountain today. Ben Snipes'
cabin now rests in the Sunnyside City Park as a
monument to a man who braved considerable odds to
become the Northwest Cattle King.
But one thing has not changed. You are still
welcome here at Snipes Mountain. You see, Snipes
Mountain is still a place where you can relax, make
friends, and savor one of the finest meals the
Valley has to offer.
Ben Snipes would be proud.
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