What is a silo?

In 1861 Ralph Breckon recorded that 100 acres had been cleared and that his family was living in a log house built in 1830. A brick farmhouse was being built (1860) and reportedly the bricks came from clay taken from a stream that cuts across the front of the property. In 1898, Ralph's son Fred moved to take up residence on the farm.

Little Known Facts:

In 1870's the orchard land was laid out and by the turn of the century there were 10 acres of commercial apple and cherry orchards. Strawberries were an important crop between 1900-1930. The park historical report notes that this farm boasted a smoke house for the preparation of dressed meats. Later in the 1920's a herd of 20-50 registered Holstein cattle were kept for dairy production.

Similar to other farms the advent of the tractor 1920's meant fewer horses by 1940 the horse had entirely disappeared from the farm.