Yankee Street Farm and Garden
In 1806, white settlers from Connecticut came to Galena to build a sawmill, a gristmill, and a still along the bank of Big Walnut Creek. In 1812 Marcus Curtis, Yankee Street Farm & Garden’s southern neighbor opened the Curtis Inn. The original building was a log structure, but by 1822 a brick inn had been constructed. Our farm’s history is less clear, but an old granary on the property had 1808, and the initials W.P. carved into the siding. The detailing of the house dates it to around 1835-1845.
Peter's parents, John and Mary Jean, purchased the property in 1964 as a weekend getaway. They were quick to fall in love with country living. Their interests in antiques prompted a desire to restore the house. Six years later they moved the family in time for Thanksgiving. The White’s gardened, biked, cooked, baked, boated, skied their way through the seasons. Cider and Maple Syrup parties introduced family and friends to their beloved lifestyle.
From left to right: 1) Yankee Street Farm and Garden, circa 1967, showing the granary between the house and barn with 1808 WP carving. 2) The front of the house, as it looks today, faces Hoover Reservoir. Old Sunbury Road or Yankee Street was rerouted in 1955 to accommodate the lake.
Renovations & New Life
Peter moved in 2014 and now the farm is being updated and restored once again. An improved well water and water harvesting system provides irrigation for the garden. Barn and outbuilding improvements provide well-lighted, dry storage for tools and supplies. New, larger garden space is now available to help scale up our vegetable production. And finally, a new apiary and bee-friendly cover crops support honey production.
2020 begins a new chapter of Yankee Street Farm and Garden’s history. We are building on our origins as a working farm to provide fresh, local, seasonal and organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.
Grow with us.
