Carl Helling immigrated to Colorado with his family after arriving from Germany. As a young man he homesteaded a quarter section of dry land near Idalia in Yuma County in 1907. He built a small sod house where he, along with his horse, survived a terrible spring blizzard. Later a larger farm house and barn were constructed. In addition to raising wheat, corn, hogs and cattle, Carl and his wife raised three sons - Edmond, Carl and Raymond who later formed Helling Brothers Farm. Several thousand acres of grass, irrigated and dry land ground were also added to the original quarter section.

The original parcel of the Fleer Ranch in Idalia was homesteaded in 1886 by Louis Fleer, Senior. Additional purchases of land increased the ranch to it's present size of 1080 acres. A number of buildings dating from 1913-1920's still stand. Cattle and wheat are the primary products of the ranch. 

The Mollenberg Farm in Inalia celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The original 160 acre was homesteaded by C Henry Mollenberg who raised corn, wheat, cattle, horses and pigs. Today the principle crop is wheat.

The 640 acre Helling Farm in Idalia dates back to 1887 when Franz Helling homesteaded 160 acres. Over the next 19 years the farm was enlarged to its present size. In the first years a cow/calf operation and horses made up the livestock. The main crops wheat, corn and oats. Today cattle along with wheat, corn an alfalfa are raised.

The Pfeiler Farm near Idalia was acquired in 1886 by Edward Pfeiler. The original house, a dug out, was replaced in 1909 by a house built of native rock. The adobe barn, granary, machine shed and chicken house, built in the early 1900's are an integral part of this farm. Today , Pfeiler's raise wheat, corn and cattle.

Swiss-born Gottfriend Weyermann immigrated to the United States in 1883 and married Carolena Fischer. Two years later they homesteaded southeast of Idalia, Colorado. They received a patent in 1900 and a homestead certificate in 1909. They built a sod house, barn, and chicken house, and had six children: Ida, Anna Marie, Herman, Arnold Henry, Frederick John, and Lena. Corolena died in 1905, and Gottfried was remarried in 1909 to Eliza.

The Moellenberg Ranch was established in October 1914, when C. Henry Moellenberg purchased 240 acres of ranch land in Yuma County. Herman Fred Moellenberg, one of Henry’s sons, acquired adjacent property in 1914 as well. Herman Fred and his brother, August, homesteaded together and worked the property upon August’s return home from World War I. In 1938, August inherited his father’s 240 acres. August’s son, Delmar, and his wife Roberta, purchased the home place in February 1973.

The Walter and Anna Zion Homestead has a long association with the Zion family, early homesteaders in the Idalia-Vernon area who farmed and ranched from 1910 until 1975.