The original 160 acres of the Rudolph Ranch in Black Hawk were purchased in 1878 by Fredrick Rudolph. An additional 80 acres were patented in 1907. Mr Rudolph operated a shoe shop in Black Hawk, leaving his wife and 9 children to run the ranch. In addition to hay and cattle, they raised hogs and chickens, and a big vegtable garden. In 1950 it was discovered that the meadow was actually a peat moss bed and now a limited amount of peat moss is part of the ranch produce.