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One hour south of Springfield, along historic Route 66, this farmstead is
acknowledged to be one of the most intact examples of a 19th and early-20th
century working farm in the state. The 21 original buildings include an
Italianate residence, animal barns, storage cribs, and a brick smokehouse.
Historians have called it “an encyclopedia of Illinois farm building styles,
construction techniques, and uses.” Owned by the same family for over 160 years,
the property has earned Centennial Farm status through the Illinois Department
of Agriculture. The current caretaker is the last surviving family member to
live on the farm. The fate of the property beyond her tenancy is uncertain,
although advocates believe it could serve an educational purpose in a state that
has very few agricultural historic sites. The farm was initially placed on the
“Ten Most” list in 2001.
Click A Thumbnail To Start Photo Slideshow
Press
On historic farm, tales of toil, family feuds and an uncertain future
State Journal-Register, March 5, 2010
Litchfield’s Manske-Niemann Farm: End of the Line
Behind the Curtain, The Photoblog of the SJ-R Photography Staff, March 6, 2011
Photo Credit: 1,2, 4-6 Jean Follett
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