A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase one of the most beautiful and historic farms in Missouri. Walnut Springs Farm is located just 6 miles off I-44, 15 miles from Springfield, and about an hour's drive from Branson. This unique farm has 1 1/2 miles of paved road frontage, three nice homes, several historic buildings including 2 barns listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a modern 40' x 80' metal shop building. The farm has been running a 100+ cow/calf pair beef operation as well as producing around 500 round bales of hay each year. The farm has good fencing and cross fencing as well as a steel corral system with good working facilities. There are 3 ponds, 4 wells, several springs, and about 3/4 mile of clear flowing creek water. The pastures and hayfields are mainly fescue except for an established 20-acre Bermuda grass bottom. The farm is mainly open but does have about 80 acres of woods that provide cover for many turkey, deer, and other small game. For the last several years the farm has also been host to numerous social events and gatherings, including many weddings and receptions. The historic buildings also house a huge private collection of period antiques and horse-drawn farm equipment. The main house is approx. 2718 sq. ft. and was completely remodeled in 2007. House #2 (approx. 1800 sq. ft.) is a rock house located on approx. 6 acres with 2 historic rock structures directly across the road from the main farmstead. It was completely remodeled in 2005 and was originally the farm manager's house. House #3 is a modern 1500 sq. ft. house built in 2000 and is currently leased. With its close proximity to Branson and I-44, the possibilities for this farm are many -- commercial or purebred cattle operation, equine facility, Bed & Breakfast, Living History Farm, weddings (several booked now), or investment. Since the owners are semi-retiring, all cattle, farm equipment, as well as the antique collection are possibly available by private sale. Owner would consider selling farm without House #3 on 5 to 40 acres.

HISTORY OF THE FARM: Walnut Springs Farm, a 420-acre farm which raises beef cattle and hay, was originally part of the 850-acre Hosmer Dairy Farm established in the late 1880's by Edmund J. and Eliza J. Hosmer. Edmund Hosmer moved to the farm from Concord, Massachusetts, where his family was neighbors and friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson as well as Henry David Thoreau, who mentions Farmer Hosmer in his book "Men of Concord." This dairy farm was the beginning of the dairy industry in Southwest Missouri. Edmund Hosmer was a pioneer in good farm management. He turned poor Ozarks farmland into one of the richest farms in Southwest Missouri. Mr. Hosmer brought to this part of the state the first cream separator, the first manure spreader, the first gasoline engine and the first silo. The farm's success was evident by the two large barns built around 1900. These impressive barns have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1916, the Hosmer Dairy Farm was the largest butter dairy farm in the state. The HORSE BARN is one of two wood-peg, bank barns built on the farm. This barn housed the work stock (horses and mules) for the farm in the lower level, where horse stalls, a feed room and a tack room have been rebuilt. The striking gambrel roof on the 36' x 80' horse barn provided enormous hay storage in the upper level, which now houses a collection of antiques and provides a unique setting for weddings, receptions and other events. The DAIRY BARN is a fine example of post-and-beam construction utilizing mortise-and-tenon joinery. This massive structure (60' x 114') has stanchion room in the lower level where 100 head of Jersey dairy cows were milked by hand. The upper level provided ample storage for hay and feed. The first silo built in Webster County (1908) stands in front of the dairy barn. Today the dairy barn houses a large collection of horse-drawn farm equipment, wagons, and other antiques. The CARRIAGE SHOP, a converted 1920's tomato cannery, has a collection of carriages and many of the same tools that early day wheelwrights used. The BLACKSMITH SHOP, a converted corn crib, contains a large collection of antique tools and blacksmithing equipment. It also provides space for a harness shop. Walnut Springs Farm is located on the historic Old Wire Road, a major passage for Indians, settlers, and later a stagecoach line which had a stop on the farm. This road was also the northern route of the Trail of Tears and was also used extensively by both Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War. In 1842, the government established Old Wire Road as the main route between St. Louis, Missouri, and Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The Hosmer Dairy Farm was sold in 1948. In 1991, the farm was purchased by the present owners. They have restored the original farm's buildings to host events and display their collection of antiques and horse-drawn equipment, one of the largest private collections in Missouri. The owners have over 70 photos of the farm taken 1908-1910 as well as many period newspaper and magazine articles documenting the farm's history. Property to be shown by private showings by appointment and to qualified buyers only. Michael L. Brown is Owner/Broker.