Centennial Farms & Ranches
Chavez Ranch
Las Animas County
In 1906 Francisquita and Leonardo Chavez bought 15 acres in Las Animas County near Weston.
The property passed onto their son Rosendo and wife Delfinia, who in turn gave it to their son Joe and his wife Annie, who had nine children, including Eugene, who owns it today along with his son Vernon. Over the years, the family has raised alfalfa and orchard grass, for hay, as well as livestock, primarily cattle, but in recent years they have given up their herd, though they do lease the land for grazing.
Though the family lives an hour away, they spend at least one day a week at the farm. Those days are a joy to Eugene who works hard to keep the farm going despite drought conditions of the past several years. In good years the family still grows alfalfa and orchard grass at the beautiful setting along the Highway of Legends Scenic Byway and the Purgatory River.