They Cultivated Beauty...
Baldwinsville's Flower Farms
Generations removed from the need to raise individual food supplies, Americans are still drawn to the soil each spring. The cultivation of ornamental plantings became a popular nationwide activity following the Civil War. Baldwinsville joined the horticulture bandwagon in a way that both decorated community properties and also lined some local pocketbooks.
The area's fertile farmlands gave rise to a healthy flowering plant and seed supply business. In the first half of the 20th century asters, peonies, iris, tulips, gladioli, lilies, phlox, lilacs and narcissus raised in Baldwinsville were shipped throughout the United States and to Europe and Asia.
Representing Baldwinsville in the national market were H.B. Williams, Aster Specialist and Indian Spring Farms, Inc..
It all began with asters...
H.B. Williams was the first of Baldwinsville's prominent flower growers. Williams combined local soil and climate with technical expertise from Cornell University's Agricultural Stations to develop exceptionally large, hardy and aesthetically pleasing asters.
Planning to enter the cut flower market, Williams planted his first crop in 1902. The bounteous yield far exceeded his ability to harvest the blooms. - William abandoned the cut flower plan and regrouped as a producer of aster seed. The flower heads were left to ripen and the seed was winnowed.
Hybridization became a specialty and Williams was highly acclaimed nationally. His fields were established along main village access roads and were a great attraction each fall.
In 1915 Williams partnered with local leaders to produce Aster Day. Prominent growers and business people were sent invitations to come and see the glorious aster fields and also tour Baldwinsville's industrial, residential and civic areas. A volunteer automobile fleet met visitors at the trolley and train stations and took them on tour.
Among the visitors was Frederick A. Goodrich.
And then came the peonies...
A successful Midwest iron and steel dealer, Goodrich recognized the potential for successful farming and soon returned to Baldwinsville.
Upon his return he purchased the handsome Greek revival home overlooking the Seneca River from the north one mile to the west of the village. General agriculture was established on the farm in 1918 with 12 peony plants in the mix.
Peony culture became the focus in 1921 beginning with 100 varieties. By 1925 the farm had 200 acres of flowers and more than 700 varieties of peonies. More than 50 men were on the payroll and Goodrich's investment had hit the $200,000 mark.
Indiana grower Harry F. Little was another outstanding figure in the peony world. An extraordinarily talented and dedicated hybridizer, Little received countless honors and awards for his work. He was also a commercial grower in his hometown of Goodland, Indiana.
At Goodrich's invitation, Little left Goodland and moved to Baldwinsville bringing his collection of peonies with him. The two men joined forces and in 1926 Indian Spring Farms was incorporated. Goodrich supplied capital and lofty vision; Little supplied unparalleled horticultural expertise and his enormous inventory of high caliber exotic stock.
Both men were already famous in their field. Together they would develop the largest peony farm in the United States.
The death of founder Goodrich and the national tragedy of the depression brought the company to bankruptcy. The sun set on the glory days of the spectacular flower farm whose brilliant plants beautified almost an entire mile alongside the concrete Rochester-Syracuse highway.
The area's fertile farmlands gave rise to a healthy flowering plant and seed supply business. In the first half of the 20th century asters, peonies, iris, tulips, gladioli, lilies, phlox, lilacs and narcissus raised in Baldwinsville were shipped throughout the United States and to Europe and Asia.
Representing Baldwinsville in the national market were H.B. Williams, Aster Specialist and Indian Spring Farms, Inc..
It all began with asters...
H.B. Williams was the first of Baldwinsville's prominent flower growers. Williams combined local soil and climate with technical expertise from Cornell University's Agricultural Stations to develop exceptionally large, hardy and aesthetically pleasing asters.
Planning to enter the cut flower market, Williams planted his first crop in 1902. The bounteous yield far exceeded his ability to harvest the blooms. - William abandoned the cut flower plan and regrouped as a producer of aster seed. The flower heads were left to ripen and the seed was winnowed.
Hybridization became a specialty and Williams was highly acclaimed nationally. His fields were established along main village access roads and were a great attraction each fall.
In 1915 Williams partnered with local leaders to produce Aster Day. Prominent growers and business people were sent invitations to come and see the glorious aster fields and also tour Baldwinsville's industrial, residential and civic areas. A volunteer automobile fleet met visitors at the trolley and train stations and took them on tour.
Among the visitors was Frederick A. Goodrich.
And then came the peonies...
A successful Midwest iron and steel dealer, Goodrich recognized the potential for successful farming and soon returned to Baldwinsville.
Upon his return he purchased the handsome Greek revival home overlooking the Seneca River from the north one mile to the west of the village. General agriculture was established on the farm in 1918 with 12 peony plants in the mix.
Peony culture became the focus in 1921 beginning with 100 varieties. By 1925 the farm had 200 acres of flowers and more than 700 varieties of peonies. More than 50 men were on the payroll and Goodrich's investment had hit the $200,000 mark.
Indiana grower Harry F. Little was another outstanding figure in the peony world. An extraordinarily talented and dedicated hybridizer, Little received countless honors and awards for his work. He was also a commercial grower in his hometown of Goodland, Indiana.
At Goodrich's invitation, Little left Goodland and moved to Baldwinsville bringing his collection of peonies with him. The two men joined forces and in 1926 Indian Spring Farms was incorporated. Goodrich supplied capital and lofty vision; Little supplied unparalleled horticultural expertise and his enormous inventory of high caliber exotic stock.
Both men were already famous in their field. Together they would develop the largest peony farm in the United States.
The death of founder Goodrich and the national tragedy of the depression brought the company to bankruptcy. The sun set on the glory days of the spectacular flower farm whose brilliant plants beautified almost an entire mile alongside the concrete Rochester-Syracuse highway.
Copyright 2016
McHarrie's Legacy, Inc.
McHarrie's Legacy, Inc.