Benjamin Franklin Rice
Benjamin Franklin Rice (Ben) applied for and received one of the first homesteads in Summit County. He received his patent (deed of ownership) in 1898.
Ben and his wife Mabel moved into the one room cabin on the 160 acres located six miles from Dillon.
BF Rice with children Norman, Earl, and Ben Jr.
Specifically, the Rice family ranch was located in what is now the Summit Cove neighborhood at the junction of Soda creek and Snake river.
Having satisfied the requirements under the homestead act of 1862, the land patent was granted to Mr. Rice on July 18th, 1898. The ranch was in continuous operation until 1963. As Summit Cove was among the first subdivisions in Summit County, the Rice ranch was the first homestead to be used for residential development.
The Rice Barn
Ben and his three sons, Norman, Earl, and Ben Jr. built the barn, which still stands today, between 1917 and 1919.
As the fourth barn on the ranch, it housed eighteen draft horses on the main floor and up to 30 tons of hay in the loft. The barn was preserved in its original location and is listed in the Summit County Registry of Historical Landmarks. Summit Historical Society is the steward of the Rice Barn.
To the Northwest of the barn was the family home.
It replaced the one-room cabin and was extended several times to support a rapidly growing family.
