In 1887, Charles and Berth Ingalls homesteaded 160 acres in Kirk now known as National Homestead. They later bought the adjoining corner sections. The basic crop was dryland wheat. Like most farms in those days they raised chickens, pigs, cattle and sold ice cream and eggs weekly. Today Dallas and Nina Ingalls produce corn, wheat and pinto beans.

The Karl Maul Ranch in Kiowa was homesteaded in 1880 by Adelgunde Kelton. The original 160 acres have been added to over the yearsthrough the acquisition of 6 homesteads including one timber claim. The oldest structure is the ranch house which was built in about 1890. Evelyn Maul owns the ranch today.

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.

William and Grace Trownsell homesteaded the original 160 acres of the Kohlman Ranch in 1879. Since then, the ranch has been enlarged to its present size of 3640 acres. Numerous historic buildings including a dance hall are located on the property. Grace and Oley Kohlman own the ranch today. The ranch is located in Walden, which is in Jackson County. Hay and cattle are raised.

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 Hauck Ranch in Meeker was homesteaded one hundred years ago by Lewis Allen who came to Meeker in 1885. The original 160 acre ranch was added to over the years to its present size of 2080 acres. Hay, cattle and wheat have always been raised on the property. The ranch house dating to 1901 is still used by the family for their residence.

Since 1862, five generations of the Lindstrom-Guanella family have lived in the log Guanella ranch house at the approach to the Berthoud Pass. Original owner Paul Lindstrom, was born in Sweden. A great adventurer, who at age 15, began his travels and circumnavigated the world twice before coming to America, came to Central City in 1859 to prospect for gold. He soon realized  there was profit to be made in lumber to build houses and mining structures. On a scouting trip Paul decided that the present ranch was perfect due to the abundant timber.

The Green Valley Ranch in Elbert dates it's beginning to 1878 when Edgar Hiatt, a civil war veteran, homesteaded there with his wife and children. They had journeyed in covered wagons from Iowa in 1874. The original log house was later replaced by a fine frame house. Barns and other buildings were also added. Today, Doris Hiatt the wife of Edgar Hiatt's grandson, maintains the property along with their son Fred.

Six generations of the Green family have lived on the Green Ranch near Canon City. It was homesteaded in 1868 by L.B. Swisher. Previous generations kept horses on the place to round up the wild range steers and drive them to market in Leadville. The advent of the railroads made long cattle drives unnecessary. Today cattle and hay are the main products.

In April 1887, Scott and Gertrude Godsey moved from Folsum, Iowa to Wray, which is in Yuma County, where they filed a homestead claim for 160 acres. Shelter for the family , which included 2 small children and a third on the way, originally consisted of a dugout covered by a roof made by disassembling the wagon box and cover. Before the first winter set in a new sod house had been built, sod had been broken for a crop, a well had been dug and a small shelter for the mules was constructed.Scott's great grandson operates the farm today.