WHERE BUFFALO ROAM

In “The Fuzziness Factor” (Palm Latitudes, July 19), Shawn Levy stated that William L. Lange brought the buffalo to Urbanus Square when he acquired the lease to the Irvine property during the 1970s. Actually, my father, Dr. Roy E. Shipley, now over 90, brought the first local buffalo to Newport Beach in 1953 from his ranch in Kansas. He called the little theme park the Newport Buffalo Ranch.

I remember big cattle trucks bringing the buffalo, unloading the huge bulls with no small effort. How thrilled we all were when the first calves appeared that next spring. I recall the pony rides and the little train that chugged about the property.

I hope Judy Liebeck can preserve this historical site, even though the great herd of bison is now long gone.

DORALEE SHIPLEY BAILEY

Manhattan Beach