John Summer arrived in the Yampa Valley in 1889 and purchased a relinquished homestead from Eugene LeVene. The former saloon owner patented the homstead in 1896. His son Louis took over operations in 1936 and his son Vernon took over the ranch in 1955. In 1989, the State of Colorado listed the Summer ranch as a Centennial Farm and Ranch. Local veterinarian Lee O. Meyring purchased the Vernon Summer Ranch in 2014. Images of Vernon Summer and the historic Summer Ranch can be found at the Tread of Pioneers Museum.