August 25, 2023, Arthur Blooding & Daughters Inc. was recognized as a centennial farm by the State of Colorado. These farms are given a plaque and sign to post on the ground that has been farmed or managed continuously for more than 100 years by the same family.

John W. Blooding married Willie Roberta Edwards August 16, 1896, in Gray County, Kansas. Children born to this union were Robert Allen, Beatrice Eva, Dee Andrew, Mable Alice, Pearl Elsie and Mary Iva.

John wanted to own his own land, and moved with the family west to what is now known as Kiowa County, Colorado. He purchased the west ½ section of 28 in Township 17 South, Range 49 West of the 6th P.M. on May 21, 1915. June 14, 1915, they purchased East ½ section of 28 in Township 17 South, Range 49 West of the 6th P.M. in Kiowa County.

The 1915 census noted the family living in. Ford County, Kansas. The original piece of land remains in the Blooding family today.

John had become very ill, and he went to Kansas City, MO, to seek medical care. John passed away on Feb. 16, 1922. Willie went to Kansas City to bring his body back to Kiowa County where he is buried. After John's death his sons Robert and Andrew continued to farm the ground.

Robert graduated high school in Dodge City, Kansas on June 13, 1914, at 17 years old. He traveled some in Colorado, then went back to Dodge City. He met Mary Irene Ryder, and they married Dec. 24, 1919. The two moved to Colorado and lived with John and Willie until they could build a house. They had 4 children Roberta, Ella, Arthur and Lee Blooding. The family home was located northwest of Eads and is still standing.

Arthur went into the U.S. Navy August 4, 1943, and was released from active-duty January 17, 1946. He had married Gloria June Barnes on March 5, 1945, in Dodge City, Kansas. When they returned to Colorado, he returned to the farm to help Robert and Andrew.

Lee decided to move to Fort Collins in 1956 to work at Woodward Governor Company as a Quality Control Inspector.

Robert and Irene retired from farming in the Prairie Queen Community in 1961 and moved to Eads. On July 26, 1970, Robert passed away in Eads and is buried at the Eads cemetery. Irene passed away August 21, 1971, in Eads and is also buried in the Eads cemetery.

On August 1, 1972, Arthur and June formed a family corporation, Arthur A. Blooding & Daughters, Inc.

Arthur passed away in April, 1985.

His legacy and love for this land that was purchased generations ago was handed down to him to maintain and now to his daughters to manage.

It was a great honor to accept the recognition of Centennial Farm from the State of Colorado.