Miller & Lux, Inc. was founded in 1858, and ceased active operations in 1967.  The original business of the company was livestock, but it expanded into farming, meat processing, water, and related activities. At one time, Miller & Lux owned more than one million acres in California, Nevada, and Oregon. During and after the Great Depression, most of this property was sold. Two related families, the Nickels and the Bowles, had owned the company equally. When the company was dissolved, the Nickel family started several operations, now known collectively as Nickel Family, LLC.