Welcome to the Historic Marbold Farmstead, a place where the echoes of agricultural innovation and immigrant dreams harmonize with the present. Established in 1850 by German immigrant John H. Marbold, this farmstead became a cornerstone of central Illinois agriculture. John Marbold arrived in the United States in 1847, leaving behind his farm in Badbergen, Germany, and eventually settled in Greenview, Illinois. Unlike many immigrants of his time, John came with resources from the sale of his German farm, allowing him to purchase 200 acres which later expanded to over 4,000 acres. This was a rare achievement for a farmer in central Illinois during that era.
The Marbold Farmstead wasn’t just about farming; it was a hub of innovation. By the late 1800s, the farm featured advanced amenities such as a boiler for heat, indoor plumbing, and electricity—luxuries that were largely unheard of at the time. John Marbold’s son, H.H., worked alongside him, integrating livestock such as hogs, sheep, and cattle into their operations. The farmstead even had a windmill within a barn for pumping water, showcasing their forward-thinking approach.
In the 1890s, the Marbold family home underwent a significant transformation. John raised the roofline and added a third floor along with a conservatory and a south porch. These enhancements reflected the family’s growing prosperity and commitment to modernizing their operations. The farmstead’s legacy includes a range of buildings like the icehouse, boiler house, washhouse with a dairy room, and smokehouse, each contributing to the farm’s self-sufficiency.
The Marbold family played a vital role in the local community, contributing to the establishment of the Greenview Marbold Bank. However, the economic challenges of the Great Depression led to the bank’s collapse and the loss of the family home in 1927. For decades, the farmstead stood as a silent witness to history until the Historic Marbold Farmstead Association formed in 2011 to restore this piece of heritage. Their dedication has turned the farmstead into a living history site, hosting events like the Country Primitive Show and educational programs for students.
Today, the Marbold Farmstead not only preserves the past but also serves as a community hub. It brings together locals and visitors alike to celebrate the region’s rich agricultural history and the enduring spirit of those who built it.
