WALNUT SPRINGS FARM

[click on pictures to see a bigger view]

Stroll back in time as you tour five buildings on the old HOSMER DAIRY FARM, the farm that pioneered the dairy industry in Southwest Missouri.

Two large turn-of-the-century barns are listed on the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES and house antique farm machinery, buggies, wagons, sleighs, and other antiques.

Walnut Springs Farm gives you a look back to a simpler time

The Horse Barn is one of two, wood-peg, bank barns built around the turn-of-the-century on the old Hosmer Dairy Farm. This barn housed the work stock (horses and mules) for the farm in the lower level, where horse stalls have been rebuilt to accommodate the draft horses who now reside there.

The striking gambrel roof on the 36'x80' horse barn provided enormous hay storage in the hay loft, which now houses a collection of horse-drawn wagons, buggies, sleighs, and other antiques.

The Dairy Barn is a fine example of post and beam construction utilizing mortise and tenon joinery. This massive structure (60'x114') had stanchion room in the lower level to milk 100 head of Jersey dairy cows. The hay loft provided ample storage for hay and feed.

The first silo built in Webster County in 1908 stands in front of the dairy barn.

Today the dairy barn has a large collection of horse-drawn farm equipment and other antiques on display.

The Carriage Shop is equipped with many of the same tools that early day wheelwrights used.

The Blacksmith Shop has everything the blacksmith needs. It also provides space for a Harness Shop.

There are over 1500 items on display at Walnut Springs Farm.

Where it all began

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. This dairy farm was the beginning of the dairy industry in Southwest Missouri, an industry which has now become a multi-million dollar business in this area.

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 farm is located on the historic Old Wire Road, a major passage for Indians, settlers, and later a stagecoach line. 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 Fort Smith, Arkansas.

The Hosmer Dairy Farm was sold in 1948. In 1991, the farm was purchased by Mike and Cathy Brown who have restored the original farm's buildings. It is the Browns' intent to preserve the history of by-gone days on the farm and to share those memories with others.

TOURS

April through October - Closed Sundays & Holidays
Please call ahead
Adults $5.00
Children, ages 5-12 $2.00, under 5 FREE
(prices include tax and are subject to change without notice)

EVENTS

We host parties, weddings, receptions, and more. Call us for your special event.

(417) 859-7954
Email: walnutspringsfarm@centurytel.net
RVs and Buses Welcome

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