History

Bishop Castle is a popular stop along Highway 165 and has been featured in several national articles and shows. Courtesy Photo

Bishop Castle is a popular stop along Highway 165 and has been featured in several national articles and shows. Courtesy Photo

The Bishop Castle - Part 1 of 4

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Since 1969, James R. ‘Jim’ Bishop has found, hauled and set by hand over 1,000 ton of rocks to construct his castle. Born in 1944, he is the oldest son of Willard Lee Vincent and Pauline A. Perse Bishop. Willard was born in Indiana and Pauline in Pueblo both in 1919.
A tract of land was traded for a parcel directly south of Gobblers Knob, north of Ophir Creek, near Froze creek. It was this land, along with other acquistions that became Tomkins Mountain Meadow Ranch. Courtesy Photo

A tract of land was traded for a parcel directly south of Gobblers Knob, north of Ophir Creek, near Froze creek. It was this land, along with other acquistions that became Tomkins Mountain Meadow Ranch. Courtesy Photo

The Tomkins Brothers - Part 3 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
The Tomkins Brothers Henry Hunt Jr. and Carrie Tomkins lived in Denver where he brokered stock sales. His father, Henry lived in Custer County until his death in 1925. Henry Sr. is buried in Rosita.
Thomas Lewis Hunt and his niece Julia Schaale. Courtesy Photo

Thomas Lewis Hunt and his niece Julia Schaale. Courtesy Photo

The Tomkins Brothers - Part 2 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
TThe Tomkins Brothers In 1903, John William ‘Billy’ Goss became a partner of H.H. Tomkins with half interest. Billy lived with his family on the Blake Ranch near Lime for a number of years.
Tomkins Hardware still exists on Main Street in picturesque Creede, CO. It was established in 1892 and is just one of several hardware stores the Tomkins Brothers owned. Courtesy Photo

Tomkins Hardware still exists on Main Street in picturesque Creede, CO. It was established in 1892 and is just one of several hardware stores the Tomkins Brothers owned. Courtesy Photo

The Tomkins Brothers - Part 1 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
The Tomkins Brothers Henry Hunt and Lewis Hunt Tomkins settled in Colorado and invested heavily in the state’s mercantile, banking, cattle and lumber businesses. The Tomkins Cattle Company had a large ranch along what is now Highway 165 which was called the Tomkins Mountain Meadow Ranch.
Leo Nello Brassea and Angelica Pinamonte rode into Florence on Christmas Day in 1923 where they were married. Courtesy Photo

Leo Nello Brassea and Angelica Pinamonte rode into Florence on Christmas Day in 1923 where they were married. Courtesy Photo

The Brassea Family - Part 3 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
The Brassea Family Leo Nello Brassea Nello was born in Starkville, Colorado and attended school there until the age of twelve, when his family purchased their ranch. Angelica described her husband’s education, “That ended his formal schooling, but he never quit learning.
Frederico Viola married Natalina Brassea in 1905. After her death, he married her sister Margaret “Maggie” Viola. 1920 Federal Census records show Frederico and Maggie living in Radiant, CO where he worked in the pictured Radiant Mine. Courtesy Photo by Linda Reiger

Frederico Viola married Natalina Brassea in 1905. After her death, he married her sister Margaret “Maggie” Viola. 1920 Federal Census records show Frederico and Maggie living in Radiant, CO where he worked in the pictured Radiant Mine. Courtesy Photo by Linda Reiger

The Brassea Family - Part 2 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
The Brassea Family John R. Brassea John Brassea was born in Italy and immigrated to Starkville, Colorado as a small child. He moved with his family to the ‘FK Drake Ranch’ where he worked with his father and brothers.
This family settled on the Drake Ranch in Custer County, the Drake post office became the Keating Post Office on their land. Courtesy Photo by Linda Reiger

This family settled on the Drake Ranch in Custer County, the Drake post office became the Keating Post Office on their land. Courtesy Photo by Linda Reiger

The Brassea Family - Part 1 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
James Brassea was born in 1865 in Milan, Italy. He married Magdalena Satenga. She was born in 1864 in Muriaglio, Italy, also on the Northern Italian border near France. The couple had two children born in Italy, John R. in 1886 and Natalina in 1888.
Charles Herny Horning married Lottie Larain Zastrow on November 22, 1903. Here they are pictured together in New Mexico. Courtesy Photo

Charles Herny Horning married Lottie Larain Zastrow on November 22, 1903. Here they are pictured together in New Mexico. Courtesy Photo

The Keeler Bradshaw Family - Part 2 of 3

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
The Keeler and Bradshaw Families Clara Keeler Horning Bradshaw and her Children In the 1900 Federal Census, Clara Bradshaw stated she had nine children, six living. The six are listed below. Clara Cowden Keeler Horning Bradshaw passed away in 1920 and is buried with her infant son, Bryce.
Clara, David, and Grace Bradshaw. Clara Cowden Keeler Horning married David Bradshaw who was cosiderably older than herself. Courtesy Photo

Clara, David, and Grace Bradshaw. Clara Cowden Keeler Horning married David Bradshaw who was cosiderably older than herself. Courtesy Photo

The Keeler Bradshaw Family - Part 1 of 2

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
The Keeler and Bradshaw Families This confusing-to-follow family settled in Custer County, at what became McKenzie Junction. Joseph E. and Maria Annette Johnson Cowen Keeler Joseph E. Keeler was born in Canada in 1810, the son of Isaiah Whitney and Lucinda Curtis Keeler.
The historical Harscrabble Ranch at MacKenzie Junction. Donald MacKenzie managed the ranch until his death in 1957. Courtesy Photo

The historical Harscrabble Ranch at MacKenzie Junction. Donald MacKenzie managed the ranch until his death in 1957. Courtesy Photo

The MacKenzie Family - Part 2 of 2

Cheryl Johnson Huban
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
The Children of Angus D. and May MacKenzie Donald C. MacKenzie never married and managed the ranch until his death in 1957, five years after his mother, May died. Both are buried in Rosita.
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