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centenntial farm sign

Venrick Farms

John and Florence Ven rick signed for their160 acre homestead in Washington County near Akron in August, 1908 and acquired another 160 acres soon after through relinquishment. They lived in a tent that first hard year before building a sod home after which the rest of their family came out to join then. In all seven children were raised on the place, eventually occupying a more substantial frame house built around 1914. Cows were raised for cream, chickens for eggs, and hogs for meat along with crops of wheat and barley.

centenntial farm sign

Fassler's Ranch

In April of 1907 Phillip and Emma Fassler acquired what is now the Fassler Ranch. The deal involved trading a flour mill in Cherokee, Iowa, for 1400 acres in Washington County near Akron. Oldest son Fredrick moved to the land first but by 1909 the entire family was in place. The ranch passed on to Frederick in 1943 and then to Fred Jr. in 1956, who was born on the ranch. Over the years the Fasslers have raised championship cattle and quarter horses and have been involved with the local Farm Bureau, stock growers and Cattleman's Associations.

centenntial farm sign

Thim Farm

Tony Thim came to Colorado from Oberlin, Kansas in 1910 to file a homesteaded consisting of 320 acres in Washington County. Two years later he married Marie Malcolm and raised four children in a sod house. Tony and son Gene raised wheat, oats, barley cane and corn, which was all dry land. They also raised chickens, pigs, beef cattle and had 16 plow horses. In 1919 a windmill was built, in 1925 a water cistern was added and by the middle 1930's a barn, chicken house and cream house had been built.

centenntial farm sign

Reed Homestead

Clarence and Cora Smith Reed left Red Cloud Nebraska in 1910 by train and homesteaded 320 acres in Washington County with their sons Bernard and Dean. Within a few years another son, Fred was born followed by daughter Cora Belle. At that time the place was only 15 1⁄2 miles overland from Akron, but after the section roads were completed the distance was increased to 18 1⁄2. The family worked hard planting crops and raising cattle, hogs, chickens and turkeys, and dealing with an ornery one eyed horse named Old Diamond.

centenntial farm sign

Grand View Ranch

The Grand View Ranch got started in 1885 when M.F. Vance began a homestead near Akron in Washington County. Vance became well known in the area and served as a State Representative in the Colorado General Assembly between 1905 and 1907. M.F. Vance eventually passed on the farm to his son E.E. Vance who, in turn, sold it to his son, Quentin Vance in 1978. Today, Quentin raises wheat, corn, millet, and beef cattle on the 960 acre ranch.

centenntial farm sign

Diamond Farms

The Diamond Farms encompass nearly 2000 acres of farm and ranch land near Akron in Washington County. The farm, which is celebrating its centennial this year, began in 1893 when Daniel Diamond homesteaded the original quarter section. Daniel determined his building site when he located good well water after 3 failures. That well was hand dug to a depth of 135 feet and is still in use today. Today the Farm is owned by Daniel's grandchildren, Robert and Mary Diamond and is operated by their sons Dick and Bob Diamond. The main crops are dryland wheat, hay and cattle.

Aerial view of farm

Baker Family Farm

The Baker Farm has been a continuously operating farm and ranch since 1906. The land was originally homesteaded by George Valentine Baker and his wife, Anna. The Bakers originally came from Alsace-Lorraine, France. George Valentine Baker and son, George Adam Baker, each filed a homestead 16 miles south and 11 miles east of Akron. Wheat, corn, and cattle have been primary sources of income for the farm.

Picture of a barn.

Gebauer Farms

On January 4, 1908, Franz Gebauer purchased the 160-acre parcel homesteaded by Peter Jones in 1903. Franz, his wife Augusta, and their children raised cattle, sheep, and horses in addition to various crops. Over time additional acreage was acquired and now the farm encompasses more than 1,000 acres. The majority of the farm’s buildings were constructed in 1916, shortly after the two-story hipped roof house was built in 1915. The property includes two historic utility buildings and two large barns.

Washington County Courthouse

The courthouse served as the center of Washington County politics and government from the completion of construction in 1910.  Prominent Denver architect John J. Huddart designed the building.

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Akron Public Library

Constructed on the northeast corner of Main and 3rd, the 1931 one-story brick library features an interesting oblique entry.  In 1922, the women of Akron formed a local library association and labored to place the town’s library, founded in 1916, on solid financial footing.