Harris Ranch, Grand Mesa, Colorado Mesa Colorado USA A ranch northwest of the town of Mesa, Colorado that was first established as a homestead by John Jackson, the grandfather of Julia Harris, in the 1880's. Prior to the homestead, Josephine Meeker and her children were held captive on the same land during the events of the Meeker Massacre in 1879. A surrender tree, where the Meekers were found by rescuers, was located on the property for many years. Joseph Elvin Harris and Jennie Laura (Jackson) Harris established a working ranch there in 1904. It served as a travel way station and a little restaurant for some years. Situated halfway between Collbran and Palisade (livestock auctioneer Howard Shults places it on Plateau Creek), it was a popular place to rest horse teams. After the advent of the automobile, it was still a popular rest stop. For a few years until 1941, it was run as an inn. It was the site of a dinner for the Republican Special Committee of mesa County on December 7, 1941, the day that Pearl Harbor was bombed. yes yes