One of the many side-effects of World WarI witnessed the depopulation of certain rural areas. For some who served, they did want to return to the farm, since many had a hardscrabble existence. This especially true like places the eastern Honey Lake Valley and the Madeline Plains. Some were fortunate to find buyer for their homestead. There are still family ranches here, that started small but during the 1920s and 1930s were able to purchase adjoining 160-acre homestead. My own family ranch, Tanner, is a perfect example since it now includes Hartson, Stampfli and Whitehead homesteads. However, the ones who were not so fortunate to find a buyer, simply abandoned their property and later sold for delinquent taxes.
