The George L. Akey Farm in Wray was originally homesteaded in 1886 by three Akey brothers, George, Frank and Ed and by one sister Mary. Eventually all the family members but George sold their lands. George originally lived in a dugout. In about 1890 he built a one room sod house and then in 1898, a 2 story frame house which is still occupied. Wheat and cattle have always been the main products of the farm which is owned today by Malcom and Doris Akey.

George and Sarah Fuchs founded the Fuchs Ranch in Del Norte in 1880. The original 173 acres were added to in 1927. George Fuchs raised Clydesdale horses that were grand prize winners at the local fairs. In addition, hay and grain were grown. A fine collection of historic buildings can be found at the ranch.

The Wommer Ranch in Bayfield was homesteaded in 1878 by Nick and Elizabeth Wommer. The present 113 acres are part of the original ranch which at one time was comprised 2000 acres. The property has always been a cattle ranch and consisted of selling calves and yearlings and producing the feed for them. The oldest buildings on the ranch date back to 1902 when a large sawmill operated on the property. The present owners are Frank and Jessie Wommer.

Boulder is the site of the Ewing Farm established in 1883 by John Ewing. He purchased 40 acres for $800. Four grandchildren own the farm today which produces alfalfa, barley and wheat. The oldest structure on the farm is a two story frame house built in 1885.

The homestead patent for the Daniels Farm in Milliken was granted on July 10, 1872 to Henry Daniels. His wife Marietta sold chickens, turkeys and eggs and used the proceeds to buy an additional 160 acres in 1898. Henry Daniels was among the men who by hand and with horses dug the Big Thompson and Platte River ditch which is still in operation. Henry's grandson Harold Daniels who is the owner of the farm today, is the current secretary of the ditch company.

Born in West Germany, August Beuck settled first in Iowa before coming to Colorado. He became a butcher in Central City but decided to raise his own beef so he bought land in Agate and established the Bueck Land Company Ranch in 1874. In 1965, the East Bijou Creek flooded and washed away many of the buildings. Still standing are 3 structures including the ranchhouse dating to the late 1870s. Wheat, Alfalfa and a cow/calf operation are the main products today.

The Burke Brothers Ranch in Rifle celebrates its centennial this year. James Thomas Burke, sold the St. Louis Saloon in Leadville and entered into ranching by buying this 160 acre ranch in 1887. Today 600 head of cattle run on the ranch and there are 35 registered quarter horses. An estimated 200  tons of hay is raised each year. The original 1887 fence still surrounds the property.

This year marks the centennial of the Blachburg Ranch in Yuma. Wenzel Blach homesteaded 160 acres where he raised horses and cattle as well as wheat and corn. The ranch has grown over the years to it's present size of 4500 acres. Today it is owned and operated by Wenzel's grandson Harold. Corn, wheat and cattle are raised today.

In 1883, Milo A. Smith purchased the first parcel of land that became The Deer Valley Park Association. The Association's tradition of growing hay and raising cattle has continued today. Five cottages built in the 1890's serve as summer homes today.

White-Plumb Farm was homesteaded and the house was built by Colonel Charles A. White, one of the original founders of the Union Colony in Greeley. Originally a 160-acre tree claim, trees were planted by 1881 in order for the family to obtain the Timber Culture Patent on the land in 1892.