In 1869, Frank Kennicott and his brother came west to Colorado because of tuberculosis. Their uncle the naturalist, Robert Kennicott told them of a wonderful high unspoiled valley in southern Colorado so they headed for the Wet Mountain Valley where they took up 160 acres. Both brothers improved in health, bought cattle and started a draying business. Over the years, Frank added to his holdings and the Kennicott Ranch in Westcliffe is now 3000 acres.

In 1873, Christopher Kelty homesteaded the 240 acres in Douglas County that he had been living on for a few years. Up until 1974, the Kelty's operated a dariy farm. Belgian work horses also used to be raised on the ranch. An unusual wooden silo built around 1900 is one of the numerous historic structures on the ranch. Three dams were constructed in 1933 by the CCC to control erosion.

The Jutten Ranch, which celebrates its centennial this year, is located on 600 acres near Montrose. The ranch was started by Gerhard and Wilhelmina Jutten, who first came to the Uncompahgre valley in 1882. In 1899 they added to their original farm, which was granted Centennial Farm status in 1988, by purchasing an additional 240 acres a mile south of their original property. It was this parcel that they passed on to their son Joseph M. Jutten, and it is this ranch that we are recognizing today. The Joseph M. Jutten Ranch is now owned by Jay, Pam, Louise and Daris Jutten.

Alonzo Hamilton brought his family from Iowa in 1886 to homestead in Delta County. The trip by covered wagon took 4 months. Alonzo raised hay, grain, cattle and horses on 165 acres and also had an orchard. He was a successful sheepman as well and ran his sheep from Marble. On his property, Alonzo built a log cabin, stable, granary, fences, dug ditches and planted fruit trees.

The Idler Farm in Kirk was homesteaded in 1887  by Gotthilf Idler. He moved his family there from Platsmouth, Nebraska where he worked on the railroad. Idler's property in Kirk was supposed to be in the path of the railroad line from St. Francis, Kansas to Denver but it was never built.  Gotthilf farmed his 160 acres with horses and a walking plow. Originally he and his family lived in a dugout, then in a sod house and later on, in a cement block house which is still standing.

The Humphrey Ranch in Ouray County was homesteaded in 1887 by William Henry Humphrey. The original farm consisted of 240 acres. A sawmill constructed on the property cut all of the wood and logs for the original buildings. The ranch has always raised hay, grain and cattle.

The Hargreaves Farm & Ranch in what is now Holyoke predates the founding of that town by three years. In 1885 Henry Hargreaves homesteaded a quarter section of land which was proved up in 1890. Additional acreage was acquired by the family over the years. Cattle have always been raised on the ranch as well as corn and various kinds of hay and feed.

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. 

Located in Park County, the Estabrook Park Ranch dates back to 1874 when William B. Berger and his brother-in-law C.B. Kountze purchased the property. It was used for grazing cattle and horses, growing hay from the beginning. From 1876-1935 Estabrook Park was a Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad station and all of the structures on the ranch were built before 1914 and have been maintained and restored over the years.

Four generations of the same family have made the Eppich Ranch in Mancos their home. In 1887 John Sponsel homesteaded the property and built a log cabin for his family. In 1915 John's son built a frame house which is still lived in today by the present owner Genevieve Eppich. Since 1971 she has managed the ranch by herself with the help of her children. They own and run 60 head of cattle and 50 head of sheep, as well as raise hay.