While riding my motorcycle through country roads in Northern Colorado, I recently passed a quaint and beautiful property with some appealing old structures. In short order I knew I had to turn around and I am very glad I did.I was going to ring the door bell and ask for permission to take a few photos when I came upon Judy Firestien and her mother Ruth. They were quite gracious about giving me permission to wander the property and gave me some information about this historic site. The tractor below is named “Ollie”
Officially this property is called the Von Trotha-Firestien Farm at Bracewell and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since May, 2009. This property is long associated with the development of irrigated farming, sugar beet cultivation, and livestock feeding. The interesting variety of buildings date back to the early 1900s and represent materials that have been recycled and in some cases brought to this farm from other properties.
The railroad box car was moved to this property in the 1940s.
There used to be a chicken house located right behind the gas pumps but on June 29th, 2012, a micro-burst suddenly appeared and destroyed the building. Good thing there were no chickens inside!
Wandering around this property made me feel joyous and child-like. There was not only a sense of history there, but it had a friendly feel to it. I found a patch of grass that had some great light. I thought it had a magic quality to it.
The interior of one of the out buildings revealed a time worn beauty.
The farm is still active and is presently growing corn, oats, and alfalfa. And a few peaches!
There were many beautiful things I found on my stroll and they included this old bench which hints at time, work, history, and sweat.
I also found some floral arrangements including this well crafted and creative display.
A property that is well cared for includes watering to keep flowers and plants healthy.
I was so taken with Ollie the tractor I thought he deserved a closer look.
If you would like additional information go to www.BracewellFarm.com
All images and content © 2012 Michael Fiveson
Very nice!
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Jeepers, thanks Emilio.
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Mike, lovely pictures.
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Thanks Ivon.
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Great story with beautiful photography.
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Thanks very much Joseph.
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Reminds me of our farms in Pennsylvania. Your photos capture the essence of farming! Thanks for the tour!
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That makes me feel good Bonnie. Thank you.
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Mike, I nominated you for an Illuminating Blog Award at http://ivonprefontaine.wordpress.com/2012/08/28/illuminating-blog-award/. There really are not any rules. I posted and thanked the person who nominated me, but there is no obligation.
Take care,
Ivon
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Thank you.
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Ollie is such a cool name for it đŸ˜€ Many people here also give their cars or so names đŸ™‚ Lovely photos Mike đŸ™‚
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Thanks Frauke.
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Beautiful photos of this historic farm.! I figured Ollie must be an Oliver tractor. We have an old Ferguson named, of course, Fergie!
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Yes indeed, Ollie is an Oliver, and damn proud of it.
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There is something about old tools… tools that nurtured and supported life in ages past…. there’s something about the owner still lingering in their presence I think. I have friends who just can’t resist collecting them…. So I understand your fascination with Ollie.
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I really am just a boy in grown up skin. Simple things excite me.
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Beautiful photos, loved the magic grass one. đŸ™‚
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Me too. Thanks Marielba. Good to hear from you.
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Wow! Those were great photos of a special place! Thanks for taking us on your adventure.
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And thanks for coming along. I appreciate the comment.
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You must have had a lovely afternoon, discovering beautiful scenes where ever you went. Very hospitable of Judy and Ruth đŸ™‚
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They are both lovely people and were welcoming and warm. Judy invited me back with my dog Pumpkin who would love running around there.
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Great shootin’!! Ollie looks like an International Harvester. Not sure.
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It’s an Oliver, whatever that is. Thanks John.
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Great shots. My husband would have been going ga-ga over Ollie, too. He really liked all that old equipment. Hmmmmm… makes me wonder…. đŸ˜¦
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Sweet Gunta. Thank you.
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Great photos. Ollie was built in Charles City Iowa, just a few miles from where we now live… although DH (dear hubby) grew up just a mile from the Firestien farm. What a nice ‘walk’ down memory lane.
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Well what a huge coincidence, the proximity of the tractor to you and your husband growing up near the Firestien farm. I live only 4 miles or so from the farm and my wife is from Iowa.
Thanks for this comment Gerrie. Great of you to take the time.
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Peaches !! The season is now over here, and I’m already having fresh peach deprivation. They’ve been awesome this year. Did you get one?
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I did not know I would find a ripe peach tree but would have asked if I could pick one had someone been near me when I came upon the tree. I love peaches. My second favorite flavor after apricot.
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These are fantastic photos Mike! I enjoyed this post a lot. And I stay childlike! I have no intentions of growing up! haha đŸ™‚
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I really am a large child who never grew up. If you are the same, we are fast friends and to prove it I will shoot a spitball through a straw at you đŸ™‚
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hahaha
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Mike,
Did you happen to see the historic farm district in northern Michigan while you were there? Reading this post made me think of it. It is very out of the way, but preserves several hundred very old farm buildings and some whole farmsteads which have not been disturbed because of their location in Sleeping Bear National Park: http://www.phsb.org/explore/see-the-places/port-oneida-rural-historic-district/
The place is very difficult to find, but once you are there it is like time travel because there are no new farms, only old uninhabited ones. Quite spooky, actually. You would like it.
SB
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Susan I did not see it but perhaps it would be something I would do on a future trip. Thanks for the info.
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Great images Mike đŸ™‚
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Thanks Bashar.
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Mike, well done!
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Thanks Tim.
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I think the grass looks magical as well. pretty.
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Well thank you.
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What a wonderful place. I agree about the magic, you’ve really captured a sense of that.
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Hi Lorna. Your boy Andy Murray looked real good last night. I’m pulling for him.
Thank you.
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Glad to hear it, I think he’s gained confidence after beating Federer at the Olympics.
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What a great find! I agree about the grass. It does look magical. đŸ™‚
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Thanks Robin.
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Thanks for sharing your visit. Love the color!
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Thank you!
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what a lucky daytrip that was!
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Sure was!
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Thank you for visiting and liking my post Freckles. I really like your header photo.
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Sure thing.
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Great Photos! What a fun subject, very creative! Love your B&W’s btw!
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Thanks Tomaz. Good to hear from a new friend.
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