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The Crystal Peak Ranch is part of 160 acre homesteaded purchased in 1883 by John Sisler. Records indicate this was a "Cash
Entry" homestead, meaning that he paid cash for the land (Probably $1.25 per acre).
Searches of state and federal records, as well as published family data records, lead us to believe John was married to
Catherine Rhodes. Both were born in Pennsylvania. John was born c 1819.
Part of the south wall of the barn appears to be a remnant of the original cabin which was probably built at this time.
The early 1900's. This more formal house may have been built in 1907 by Silas Allen.
The main house today
Below is Mabel whose family (possibly the Andersons) owned the ranch early in the 20th Century. Mabel apparently enforced
the rules at the ranch. Don't be late for dinner...
In the ensuing years, animal husbandry and agricultural activities included cattle ranching and lettuce and potato farming.
The land behind the ranch house still retains the irrigation terraces from the farming operations.
The ranch was purchased by the Baker family in 1991. The structures were converted from bovine use in the mid 1990's and
have since been exclusively dedicated to equine use. Allison Baker-Powell and her husband, George Powell operate the equine
boarding operations. Together they care for and monitor the health of the horses.
Allison is Colorado licensed Professional Engineer. She is a member of the Teller County Land Use Planning Commission. George
is a former engineering manager for General Motors. He currently manages the process improvement function for Memorial Health
Systems in Colorado Springs.
Connor Baker is an economist with heavy involvement
in environmental conservation.
He is formerly director of business intelligence with The Nature Conservancy and is currently
a consultant in the field of operations research and predictive data modeling with the firm
BJP Partners in Colorado
Springs.
Connor devotes his weekends to preservation of the ranch land and structures. Here, he is working on a
seeding and erosion control project.
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