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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
(below).
The main house today
The great room as currently decorated to period
tastes
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.
Below, between the homestead and what is now Teller
County Road 31, hay
harvesting operations are underway. The hay has
been cut, windrowed and lies ready for baling.
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.
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