The Homestead - A History

We are not the first the ones to have loved this farm, and we know that we will not be the last.

Feet, hooves,      paws, and wings have graced the grasses and loved the land.   

This home and this land have lived a rich history, passing hands and hearts, while retaining the integrity of the Midwest and it's natural landscape.

Our farm sits on 234 acres in the lowlands of East Central Minnesota, where it has stood since 1896, following it's previous destruction during the a fire that swept through the town of Hinckley .   

The Great Hinckley Fire continues to be one of the most catastrophic events in the history of Minnesota. In September of 1894, what has been described as a tornado of fire swept drought affected Pine County, covering over 200,000 acres and burning down the entire town of Hinckley.  Schools, banks, businesses, and homes were lost, and many moved on from the area following the fire, but those who did stay, helped the town of Hinckley rise from the ashes.  

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Although the farm resides over 6 miles from the town of Hinckley, the original farm house, barns, and out-buildings on this property was destroyed during that fire.  While the house was rebuild on it's original site, the site of the original barn was abandoned. The remains of this barn can be found in our side yard, between the chicken coop and the pig barn, a testament to the hours of labor and craftsmanship of the original buildings. 

After the fire settled, the townspeople came together to rebuild the town and one another's farms. At this time, construction began on our current house, a one room farm house that still stands on our property... as our kitchen. ​ 

Our home's history only starts here. Moving from one room and a cellar to a home that often feels overly large for two pups and two humans.   Each room has a story, some have gone through changes, and some still are.  As each room continues to come into itself, and as we continue to organize and settle into each of the rooms of our home, we'll share some of these nooks and crannies, and the beauty, the stories, behind them.