The Imperial Stock Ranch has a long history of sheep production and is specifically known for its Columbia heritage. During the 1880s, as the ranch was increasing its land holdings and quickly expanding its sheep operation, the sheep industry was rapidly increasing in importance in Oregon. Wool became one of the state’s leading exports and sources of revenue. The semiarid regions of Oregon’s interior were well suited to raising sheep, specifically fine wool sheep. Richard Hinton was carefully improving and expanding his flocks, importing breeding stock and cross-breeding meat and fine wool breeds which eventually led to the creation of the Columbia sheep — an entirely new breed. These sheep were ideally suited to the high desert terrain of the Columbia Plateau, yielding more pounds of lamb and excellent wool. Hinton’s efforts and the Columbia breed were heavily influenced by French Merino genetics, also known as Rambouillet. Merino sheep had been introduced in America as early as 1802, and historically, the first sheep in Oregon were Merino. The Imperial Stock Ranch has had a long history with Merino influence in its sheep production, helping shape its wool profile.