HISTORY OF OUR FARMTOWN

Prior to our moving here, the farm was commonly referred to as the "Robinson Farm". Mr. Robinson is the great grandson of James Lynn. James Lynn came to the Northeast area of Sangamon County in the Fall of 1825 by way of North Carolina and Barron County Kentucky. The Lynn family was the first settlers of European descent to inhabit the Grove.

"The Berry Patch" was established in February 1981, by James and Charmaine Orr and their two children, Bethany and Kyle. The Orr’s had just relocated from Southern Illinois and believed a rural farm environment was best for raising a family. The farm is very small by today’s standards, just 23 acres, and is located about 10 miles Northeast of Springfield, one-half mile Northeast of Buffalo-Hart* off State Route 54 at 11471 Lynn Road.

Direct market or "Pick Your Own" strawberries was the first product offered in 1982 and continues to be a major part of our operation. As our strawberry acreage grew in the mid 80s, and with the acceptance and support from our neighbors and surrounding community, we were able to gradually diversify our operation to include 5 major specialty crops: Strawberries, Blackberries, Red Raspberries, Asparagus and Pumpkins. During the fall, we also have a variety of decorating items such as gourds, indian corn, brown corn, straw bales, and corn stalks.

For the most part, each crop is ready to market one after the other. Because production and marketing of specialty crops is very labor intensive when compared to more conventional row crops, this sequence allows us to focus on one major task at a time.

We take great pride in what we have accomplished over the years. We know our product and continually strive to offer the highest quality of fruits and vegetables to you – our friends and neighbors.

HISTORY OF OUR TOWN

Buffalo-Hart was originally named Buffalo Hart Grove. Historians believe there was an Indian village on the exact site of Buffalo Hart Grove. The Grove was also a resting place for anyone traveling the Old Indian Trail leading from Peoria to St. Louis. The Kickapoo and Fox tribes hunted the Grove which was about 2,000 acres of White Oak and Hard Maple trees. Due to the abundance of rolling timber and wetlands, wildlife was abundant. Hart Deer and Bison (buffalo) provided more than adequate amounts of meat for families. This was also the origin of the Grove name -- Buffalo-Hart.

While there were no known reports of any hostile actions taken by the Indians towards the first settlers, differences between the value systems and lifestyles, lead to conflict. The land clearing and agriculture practices of the settlers are examples of these differences. Actions by the U.S. Calvary and Volunteer Militia soon lead to the disappearance of Indians at the Grove.

Between 1825 when the Grove was first settled by the Lynn family, and today, many things have changed. Buffalo-Hart went from a busy community of just over 600, in 1890, to a population today of less than 200. The Grove no longer has three grocery or general merchandise stores; the community also lacks the sawmill, blacksmith, field title factory, grain and livestock market, and active railroad spur that it used to entail. The blacksmith’s wife was the community’s first commercial dressmaker. Carpenters also used to build wagons on the side, and the railroad agent also served as a cobbler.

Well, things sure have changed. Just like today, where better roads, better forms of transportation, and better communication have lead to different ways of commerce, the same happened to the Grove.

Life in rural Illinois between 1825 and 1890 was very interesting to say the least. I like to imagine how difficult life was back then when...

– land sold for $1.00 to $1.25 per acre, but many folks could not afford to buy

– most farms could only plant 40 acres due to lack of machinery to assist

– the John Deere plow was invented (1800)