Welcome to the Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm website
Little did the pioneers who carved out a life on Gladstone’s eastern edge realize that nearly 200 years later their homestead would become a national historic site and a preservation project for future generations.
In 2005, with the blessing of the farm’s owner, Lena Johnson, Gladstone purchased the house, some outbuildings and two acres of land for about $100,000. Two years later, the farm was named to the National Register for Historic Places.
In 1824, William and Rachel Allen applied for a land grant for the original 240-acre parcel. Soon after, they sold 130 acres to John and Polly Hightower. No record exists pinpointing an exact date, but between 1824 and the early 1830s, a log cabin was built on the farm.
Jonathan Q. and Mary Atkins purchased the farm from the Hightowers in 1834, and between 1850 and 1860 modified the two-story cabin, building an I-frame house around it. While they owned the farm, the Atkinses raised livestock, planted crops, operated a steam sawmill and owned a blacksmith shop and stable.
The family’s ownership ceased in 1904 when Rudolph Schroeder purchased the farm. Ownership changed again in 1920 when Mary Johnson – widow of John O. Johnson – purchased the property. Between 1932 and 1934, her oldest son, Emmett, bought the farmstead. Various Johnson family members lived and farmed the on property until 1991, making such improvements over the years as adding a kitchen, putting in natural gas and installing an indoor bathroom (though not until the early 1960s). From 1991 until 2004, tenants leased the farm.
Since Gladstone’s purchase of the farm in 2005, a new roof, porch repair and chimney stabilization have spruced up the house, security lighting and fencing have been added and brush and trees have been cleared. Plans for the farm’s makeover (which would make Ty Pennington envious) are being finalized, but highlights include restoring the house’s interior – possibly with portions of the original cabin visible – and adding parking. Officials hope to restore the property to resemble an early 1900s Missouri working farm.
Gladstone Council Member Carol Rudi envisions area school districts using the farm to teach students about the practices of the homestead’s hardy early residents: the value of reducing, reusing and recycling. Sharon Smith, an Atkins descendent and president of the Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm, urges people interested in the farm’s future to join the group. The “Friends,” organized in October 2008, meet the first Thursday of each month at Gladstone City Hall and offer memberships at different support levels. The home is located at 6508 N. Jackson, Gladstone, MO.
Location Map (click here)
History Article
In 2005, with the blessing of the farm’s owner, Lena Johnson, Gladstone purchased the house, some outbuildings and two acres of land for about $100,000. Two years later, the farm was named to the National Register for Historic Places.
In 1824, William and Rachel Allen applied for a land grant for the original 240-acre parcel. Soon after, they sold 130 acres to John and Polly Hightower. No record exists pinpointing an exact date, but between 1824 and the early 1830s, a log cabin was built on the farm.
Jonathan Q. and Mary Atkins purchased the farm from the Hightowers in 1834, and between 1850 and 1860 modified the two-story cabin, building an I-frame house around it. While they owned the farm, the Atkinses raised livestock, planted crops, operated a steam sawmill and owned a blacksmith shop and stable.
The family’s ownership ceased in 1904 when Rudolph Schroeder purchased the farm. Ownership changed again in 1920 when Mary Johnson – widow of John O. Johnson – purchased the property. Between 1932 and 1934, her oldest son, Emmett, bought the farmstead. Various Johnson family members lived and farmed the on property until 1991, making such improvements over the years as adding a kitchen, putting in natural gas and installing an indoor bathroom (though not until the early 1960s). From 1991 until 2004, tenants leased the farm.
Since Gladstone’s purchase of the farm in 2005, a new roof, porch repair and chimney stabilization have spruced up the house, security lighting and fencing have been added and brush and trees have been cleared. Plans for the farm’s makeover (which would make Ty Pennington envious) are being finalized, but highlights include restoring the house’s interior – possibly with portions of the original cabin visible – and adding parking. Officials hope to restore the property to resemble an early 1900s Missouri working farm.
Gladstone Council Member Carol Rudi envisions area school districts using the farm to teach students about the practices of the homestead’s hardy early residents: the value of reducing, reusing and recycling. Sharon Smith, an Atkins descendent and president of the Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm, urges people interested in the farm’s future to join the group. The “Friends,” organized in October 2008, meet the first Thursday of each month at Gladstone City Hall and offer memberships at different support levels. The home is located at 6508 N. Jackson, Gladstone, MO.
Location Map (click here)
History Article