THOMPSON RANCH - THE
BEGINNING OF A LEGACY
ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO (Originally
was part of Arapahoe County)
On 104th, between
Federal and Sheridan - southside
Homesteaded by
Thomas and Susan (Harvey) Thompson in 1882
Purchased by
their son Frederick James Thompson in 1895
Frederick James
Thompson and Agnes Templeton Meikle were married June 27,
1897
Operated by
brothers Thomas Harvey Thompson Sr. and Harold Calvin
Thompson Sr. from 1930 and finally purchased in 1941
The last of the
land did not leave Thompson ownership until the 1970's
FROM BARE LAND TO
HOMESTEAD............
It started with bare
land in 1882, when Thomas obtained a Timber Homestead. That was
proven and complete by 1892. I am told not too much beyond the
basic requirements for a homestead was done by Thomas and Susan,
and I am sure that their three sons - Thomas, William and
Frederick J., did quite a bit of the work involved. Thomas had
been a Master Confectioner in England, and apparently continued
to be after they immigrated around 1870. We believe that health
problems forced his early retirement from being a chef. He had no
farming experience. Susan, however, was a daughter of a English
farmer. History shows at any rate that their youngest son,
Frederick James, had an intense interest in farming and ranching.
He purchased the land from his parents in 1895. And from him grew
one of the farming legacies of Eastern Colorado.
In 1901 he was the first
in Colorado to use the newest farming innovation - summer fallow.
He had traveled clear to Montana to visit a Mr. Campbell up there
who taught him the basic principles. I have been told he was
always buying the newest equipment, using the newest innovations.
I am however going to qualify that statement by saying that he
made sure all the newest equipment was available for his farm
hands and his sons. He himself continued to farm with his beloved
draft horses for many years. And he wrote many articles on
farming and ranching over the years.
Life was not easy for
the F. J. Thompson family. In September 1902 he was brutally
assaulted and left for dead in a ditch. You can read about this
in an online transcription of the various articles - Assault and Shooting of
F. J. Thompson . Tragedy did not remain a
stranger to the family, but here we would like to show you the
positive side of this history.
We do not have any photos prior to the
early 1900's of the ranch, but sit back and let us take you on a
trip through time back to
FROM HOMESTEAD TO A HOME
...............
 We have no date on this photo, but
believe it was taken before the ones below.
|
 Agnes hold Harvey, Fred M. standing,
Willie sitting in chair, Harold sitting on ground
About Summer 1908
|
 Agnes holding Harvey, Fred M. standing
center, Fred J. sitting, Willie and Harold standing in
front, and unknown young man on right.
About Summer 1908
|
 About 1908 or 1909
|
 About 1908 or 1909
|
 About 1908 or 1909
|
 Writing on back says locust driveway,
1/4 mile, Thompson's Ranch (no date)
I believe it is looking north
from the house toward what is now 104th.
|
You have seen a glimpse
of the home they created from a homestead, but a family must make
a living off the land. So let's take a visit to ............
FROM HOMESTEAD TO A
WORKING FARM ............. Page 2
Page created October 13,
2001 by Mary Thompson Saban. Copyright 2001-2003 All Rights
Reserved.
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Return to Frederick J.
Thompson 1875
Page Last Updated
Friday, July 24, 2009