Research
Joshua Kehoe
Indiana University East
March 22, 2017
Abstract
Farmland, Indiana has a vibrant history from its early days as a Beeline stop to the days of Ansel Tony, the kite man, and now as a lively town. Farmland experienced some downtime in its history because it was a town that had to go through the Great Depression. Today Farmland has become lively and is starting to thrive again with some businesses moving in and run-down houses being restored to new again.
Farmland, Indiana has been a town since 1852 in Randolph County Indiana and was a station on the Bellfontaine Railroad, or as others may call it the Bee Line. Commerce based on agriculture and, by late 1880s, gas and oil production
…show more content…
Housing crews have repaired most, if not all, of the run-down houses that have burdened the cities appeal over the years. I know of 3 houses that have in the last year been repaired to new and are now being sold.
The History of Farmland
Farmland got its start in 1852 after being founded by Henry D. Huffman and William Macy as a station on the Bellfontaine Railroad. On July 28th 1852 the two gentlemen platted Farmland on their farms. The town consisted of 152 lots including 6 streets, all of which are present today. Many cities that started on the railroad were thrust into a thriving economical environment. Being a station this allowed the city to quickly increase its population and annual revenue. There were many people that saw this economic opportunity and started forming farms alongside the town because it gave them quick access to the railroad. Thus their transportation costs were lower than other farmers. The agricultural business started to boom in the small town and drew more people into the town. People seized the economic opportunities that presented themselves. Sadly though the town did grow slow. But in 1870 the census found 532 people residing there. Starting from just two families the town gained over 500 residents in just 18 years. That is truly remarkable for the time that our nation was in. The fires. Farmland was almost completely
Not only is Iowa’s soil rich, but so is it’s history. In 1838 Iowa land offices were set up and land was sold for $1.25 per acre. Claim clubs and improvement societies were set up by Iowans. Speculators provided financing so there were no banks in Iowa until 1858. Though the land may have been cheap it often took 6-8 years of work to get a farm productive. Because of this many bought cleared land for $10 per acre, instead of prairie for
The main crop being produced in this area was tobacco. There was such high demand for tobacco, it eventually cause the soil to become try old and tired. By the soil drying out it increased the need for new land.
Before the development occurred, dairy farming was a major use for this land. The dairy farm was then demolished in order to put the race track in.
In the period 1865-1900, technology, government policy, and economic conditions all changed American agriculture a great deal. New farming machinery had a large role in the late 19th century, giving farmers the opportunity to produce a lot more crops than they used to. The railroads had an enormous influence on agriculture. They were able to charge the farmers large fees, expenses that farmers barely had enough to cover, in order to transport their goods throughout the expansive country. The booming industry also changed American agriculture, creating monopolies and gaining incredible wealth with which the farmers simply could not compete. Economically, the monetary policy along with the steadily
In the period 1865-1900, technology, government policy, and economic conditions all changed American agriculture a great deal. New farming machinery had a large role in the late 19th century, giving farmers the opportunity to produce many more crops than they had ever been able to previously. The railroads had an enormous influence on agriculture. They were able to charge the farmers large fees, expenses that farmers barely had enough to cover, in order to transport their goods throughout the expansive country. The booming industry also changed American agriculture, creating monopolies and gaining incredible wealth with which the farmers simply could not compete. Economically, the monetary policy along with the steadily dropping prices of
The 1930s was one of the most challenging times in US history, where the Great Depression caused millions of Americans to suffer through hardships because of the economy. Many people were out of work and unemployed, and the government at the time, believed that the best option was to stay out of its affairs, leaving the struggling people hung out to dry. It was not until Franklin Roosevelt was elected president, that the state of the country began to change. And that was due to the creation of the New Deal; a plan to alleviate the state of the country, providing help through increased government spending and programs, that led to its eventual recovery after the second World War.
Former President Calvin Coolidge said, “In other periods of depression, it has always been possible to see some things which were solid and upon which were solid and upon which you could base hope, but as I look about, I now see nothing to give ground to hope- nothing of man” and to some extent it was true. Americans lost all hope in life entering a deep dark tunnel with no light in the end. The Great Depression was not something that appeared out of thin air; it grew over time like a tumor and eventually plagued America with an excessive disease. No decade was more terrifying in the twentieth century than the 1930s. The stock market crashing, due to people buying stocks on load, the debts from WWI farmers and consumers in deep debt, and
During 1865-1900 technology made a huge impact in agriculture. What changed America was the expansion of railroads, limiting laws on goods that farmers sold and transportation of goods. Farmers began to harvest vast areas of needed crops such as wheat, cotton, and even corn. In document D shows you a picture of The Wheat Harvest in 1880.
Farmland is important to farmers to grow their crops. More farmland would be useful for
In the time period between 1865 and 1900 technology,government policy,and economic conditions really changed American agriculture. The technology made farming more efficient,and more profitable. Government policies both helped and hindered farmers with helping them transport their products,but they also “stole” from the farmers to help make the government more money. The economic conditions helped farmers with selling more products,and helping cities grow;along with starving families almost to death. All of these coming together really changed American agriculture.
The early 1900's were a time of turmoil for farmers in the United States, especially in the Great Plains region. After the end of World War I, overproduction by farmers resulted in low prices for crops. When farmers first came to the Midwest, they farmed as much wheat as they could because of the higher prices and
The landscape of Indiana, like that of Illinois and Iowa was shaped by the glaciers that covered the midwest during the last ice age. In central Indiana they flattened the land and deposited a rocky debris called till. Over time, the sand clay and minerals that made up the till eroded into
Have you ever dreamed of a community so perfect where you could live, work, and go to school on a daily basis? A community filled with so much happiness and peace among the society? A society where jobs are available as well as proficient teaching for citizens in that society. A place where citizens have the options of choice for which career they choose. A place filled with intelligent people who have high morals. Brook Farm was created to unite human relationships together.
When we mention about farm, most of us have this image of a vast green pasture where farmers spend most of their time herding livestock but that idyllic picture is just a thing from the past. Since the 1930s in America, small farms started to wither away, made way to bigger and highly mechanized factory farms. It all traced back to McDonalds and the booming of fast food restaurants (Food, Inc 2008). Fast food restaurants had become successful because they could produce tasty food with cheaper cost. Their franchises eventually made them a multi-million-dollars industry. Big business required big suppliers. Small rural farms cannot meet the demand for supply and they quickly fade away. Farmers were being replaced by corporations in
Before Illinois became a territory, its land has been used for agricultures. Centuries later, easier transportation options came about. Because of transportation, the crops are easier to move about, yet major roadways have caused boomtowns to pop up out of nowhere, taking away agricultural land. Look at the Shilo/O'fallon area. So much has changed and been added since Belleville refused to allow Interstate 64 to run through the city. This caused businesses to develop and farm land to be taken away by these businesses. Just from this example, it can be seen that transportation has had a profound effect on agriculture in Illinois.