One hundred years ago, the Eagle Valley Enterprise noted in an editorial [“Growth and Prosperity,” Dec. 30, 1910] that agriculture was finally coming into its own through a combination of water (irrigation) and science. The pioneers who came west to “wrest a fortune from the mountains by mining” ended up finding greener (easier?) gold in the fields and pastures of Eagle County. “Development of Eagle County’s agricultural possibilities to the vast extent of the present has been a source of wonder.”
Stacking hay on the Chester Mayer Ranch (Eagle, Colorado), now the Eagle Ranch subdivision on Brush Creek. The hay was lifted to the top of the stack by a ”Mormon Derrick,” a weight and pulley arrangement using a crane. The derrick is in the center of the photo with horse teams and rakes ”pushing” hay to the loading area.
The then County Assessor, Nick Buchholz, reporting from the county seat in Red Cliff on December 31, 1910, noted a marked increase in the total valuation of the county over any previous year. He cited: 17,724 acres of agricultural land ($242,510); 58,787 acres grazing land ($109,345); 2,205 horses (459,580); 5 mules ($100); 12,422 Cattle ($126,080); 12,705 sheep ($19,057); and 205 swine ($1,035). I’m concerned about the low mule count, actually, given that so many were used in the mines. The value of sheep vs. cattle is also confusing…cattle are heavier than sheep and the valuation was by the pound?
Dad Wellington and grandson, John Wellington, seated in buckboard. They are delivering mail to the Edwards depot. Pete, the donkey, is doing the heavy lifting.
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