Florence in Fremont County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Early Agriculture & Ranching

in Eastern Fremont County

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2020

1. Early Agriculture & Ranching Marker

Inscription.

Early Agriculture and Ranching. in Eastern Fremont County. Farmers found the soil in Eastern Fremont County to be rich and fertile and perfect for growing a variety of crops. The first successful orchardist was "Uncle Jesse” Frazer. He came to Colorado during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush and found no gold but did find soil he felt would be good for growing apples and other crops. Frazer arrived here in 1859 and settled on a ranch in what is now northwest Florence., Frazer is credited with making the first furrow of plowed ground in Fremont County. He used a plow made from a cottonwood branch and pulled by oxen which brought his family to this area. His earliest crops were vegetables and Mexican corn. Five or six other ranchers settled nearby and the area was called Frazerville, later to become Florence., In 1867 Frazer went to St. Louis and purchased 2000 seedling apple trees. He planted these on his ranch and is considered to be the first apple orchard in Colorado. He also produced the Colorado Orange apple by careful grafting. This was the beginning of a large industry of farming in Eastern Fremont County. Produce from this area was shipped all over the United States by railroad., Florence, Canon City and Penrose were all prominent in crop production. Commercial crops from these areas included: apples, cherries, celery, cabbage, sugar beets, wheat, hay, berries, lettuce, potatoes, broccoli, corn and others. Beginning in 1929 through the early 1940's, the poultry business thrived throughout the area., Ranching included cattle, horses, goats and mules. Today cattle, horses and goats are in the area on a limited basis compared to the early days., Today the major crops are hay, clover and alfalfa used as feed for cattle and horses, and smaller apple orchards., Captions: , Right: Jesse Frazer , Left: Horatio H. C. Breece Early Successful Orchardist , Middle: Hauling Hay in Florence , Bottom: Roundup of 3000 Cattle Watson's Ranch South of Florence Circa 1900 . This historical marker is in Florence in Fremont County Colorado

Farmers found the soil in Eastern Fremont County to be rich and fertile and perfect for growing a variety of crops. The first successful orchardist was "Uncle Jesse” Frazer. He came to Colorado during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush and found no gold but did find soil he felt would be good for growing apples and other crops. Frazer arrived here in 1859 and settled on a ranch in what is now northwest Florence.

Frazer is credited with making the first furrow of plowed ground in Fremont County. He used a plow made from a cottonwood branch and pulled by oxen which brought his family to this area. His earliest crops were vegetables and Mexican corn. Five or six other ranchers settled nearby and the area was called Frazerville, later to become Florence.

In 1867 Frazer went to St. Louis and purchased 2000 seedling apple trees. He planted these on his ranch and is considered to be the first apple orchard in Colorado. He also produced the Colorado Orange apple by careful grafting. This was the beginning of a large industry of farming in Eastern Fremont County. Produce from this area was shipped all over the United States by railroad.

Florence,

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Canon City and Penrose were all prominent in crop production. Commercial crops from these areas included: apples, cherries, celery, cabbage, sugar beets, wheat, hay, berries, lettuce, potatoes, broccoli, corn and others. Beginning in 1929 through the early 1940's, the poultry business thrived throughout the area.

Ranching included cattle, horses, goats and mules. Today cattle, horses and goats are in the area on a limited basis compared to the early days.

Today the major crops are hay, clover and alfalfa used as feed for cattle and horses, and smaller apple orchards.

Captions:
Right: Jesse Frazer
Left: Horatio H. C. Breece Early Successful Orchardist
Middle: Hauling Hay in Florence
Bottom: Roundup of 3000 Cattle Watson's Ranch South of Florence Circa 1900

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 38° 23.409′ N, 105° 7.08′ W. Marker is in Florence, Colorado, in Fremont County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (State Highway 115) and North Pikes Peak Avenue (State Highway 67), on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 West Main Street, Florence CO 81226, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Early Agriculture & Ranching Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2020

2. Early Agriculture & Ranching Marker Detail

Jesse Frazer

of this marker. Florence's Beginnings (here, next to this marker); City Drug (here, next to this marker); 101-103 W. Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); The Daniels Block Building (within shouting distance of this marker); 113 West Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); J. C. Penney (within shouting distance of this marker); 120 W. Main Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Florence Firehouse, Florence City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2020

3. Early Agriculture & Ranching Marker Detail

Horatio H. C. Breece, early successful orchardist

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2020

4. Early Agriculture & Ranching Marker Detail

Roundup of 3000 Cattle, Watson's Ranch south of Florence, circa 1900

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 7, 2020

5. Early Agriculture & Ranching Marker

Marker is on the far right.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 19, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.