The Rolfsrud neighborhood
The Rolfsrud Ranch sprawls in the background of this eastward-looking photograph. On the distant horizon you can see the Blue Buttes. Homesteaders populated much of this area in the early part of the last century and Norwegian immigrants Nils and Rebecca Rolfsrud helped to get them started. When Nils was crippled for life in a coal-digging accident, these neighbors helped them. They're all gone now, leaving behind old building foundations and a few vacant houses, but some of the bonds live on. Kay Skavanger, at right, whose uncle and parents were always close to the Rolfsruds, took the microphone at the Rolfsrud Reunion Saturday to put a strong voice to that enduring friendship, acknowledging a wonderful relationship that spans a century.
In the top photo are Linda Letnes and Rebecca and Al Jerdee. The women are daughters of Erling Rolfsrud, who grew up on this land. Below, reunion participants viewed a plaque erected by descendents of another Rolfsrud neighbor, the Olsens. The plaque reads:

Homesteaded in 1907, Karl & Emma Olsen, Norway immigrants
... They walked from the nearest railroad station at Tioga [about 40 miles north] pushing their baby buggy with tiny son, Alfred, in 1906. Their destination was to "locators" Nils and Rebecca Rolfsrud. Sod busting with oxen, they built a sod house and sod barn about a quarter mile south of this point. Karl also dug a 4' by 4' well about 15 feet deep and it was good water. They bought horses as soon as money was available. In 1915 they moved to their new wood frame house. [background in photo]