Farmer Washington
Name: Farmer
Class: C2
GPS: 47.612752, -119.813885
Directions: From Wenatchee head north along US Route 2 which parallels the Columbia River. At the town of Orondo Route 2 takes a sharp right east. Follow Route 2 for 37 miles, through the towns of Waterville and Douglas. Farmer was at the intersection of US Route 2 and Highway 172. At this intersection will be the Farmer’s Community Hall on the left, two grain silos on the right, and signs pointing left to Withrow and Mansfield.
Description:
I am not able to find much history of Farmer. But there are a number of interesting buildings here. The old general store and a barn are behind the two grain silos in a field. And north along Highway 172 is the cemetery on the left and an abandoned farm right. The farmhouse is gone, but there are two nice looking barns here and a bit of rubble.
Another abandoned farm is about 1/2 mile north on the right side down a road. It can be seen from the main road, but has no trespassing signs.
View of the Cemetery on a slight hill overlooking acres of farmland.
Bibliography:
Nothing known. Please comment below if you know anything about Farmer.
I have been under the impression that the main structure in the field at Farmer was both a farmhouse, as evidenced by the surrounding farm structures, and the town Post Office, which operated from 1895 until 1961.
Kind Regards, Kyle
Thank you for stopping by Kyle! That is very possible! It has the square false front though, which was rarely used on homes. BUT – you can also see what is almost certainly a house at the back with the rest of the building added to the front.
I can not find any information about this town though, so I don’t know what the real history is.
It may have had a dual purpose. The only real reference I’ve found so far that offers much enlightenment is a map set of Douglas County by George A. Ogle & Co from 1915, which shows that at that time, Farmer only consisted of much of what remains, the cemetery and community hall (identified as Farmers Union Local No.44), along with showing the Post Office located at the site of the building we’ve been discussing, on the property of an “N.C. Larsen” (There are several Larsen family members buried in the Farmer Cemetery). The only additional structure of significance shown is a long-gone schoolhouse on the NE corner of the intersection of Road D SW and Road 1 SW.
Thank you for these photos. My ggGrandmother lived in Farmer for a time. I appreciate the perspective these shots give me into her life. May I have permission to include them in my files?
Here is a little history.
Framer was settled by my Great Grandfather, Niels Larsen who came over from Denmark. He was originally awarded 250 acres to work. In time he purchased three adjacent plots making a total of 1000 acres. He eventually leased out the land to farmers and ran the general store. His wife was the postmistress and ran the post office that was inside of the general store. That is how a town was made official with only 2 farm houses. His children moved away and did not continue the farm. Niels and his wife moved to the Woodinville WA, area in the 50’s to retire. After their passing, their children eventually sold. My family made many trips there and I grew up on stores of life there. Waterville has a museum that is for settler life that has an information board that provides details and pictures of the family. I appreciate the pictures. The last time I was there most of the buildings had fallen. Only parts of the house were still standing. Niels grandson, my father, passed away recently and I am taking a moment to remember him and share his story.