In 1850, "Doc" Baker established a stopping place for emigrants on what became known as the Nobles Trail. George and Anna Marie Dersch bought out Baker and homesteaded the land in 1861. Tenants of the Dersch family whipped three Indian laborers working on the potato harvest at the ranch. As a result, Indians raided the property in 1866 and fatally wounded Mrs. Dersch. In retaliation, a posse was formed and killed most of the Indians at their Dry Creek camp.