Remembering The Two Way Tie For Iowa’s Oldest Farm

Each year at the Iowa State Fair, farm families across the state are recognized for generations of hard work through the century and heritage farm distinctions.

In 2022, over 300 farmers celebrated having farmland in their families for over 100 and 150 years of operation at the Iowa State Fair.  One of which was Harrison Farms in Fayette County which was recognized for 150 years of operation.

In 1996, to celebrate Iowa’s 150^th birthday, the state set out to determine its oldest farm. After 397 farms entered their name for the distinction, there was a tie for the title. Both the Garretsons' farm near Salem and the Shaff farm near Camanche was founded in 1837- nine years before Iowa’s statehood in 1846.

The only difference was the Garretsons' farm was settled rather than purchased.

So, the Garretsons' farm was named the longest continuously settled farm, and the Shaff farm was named the longest continuously owned farm.

The National Register of Historic Places

The Garretsons' farm not only holds the distinction of having the longest continuously settled farm but also is home of the Garretson farmhouse which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to their website, the 19th-century Victorian farmhouse was built by O.A. and Emma Garretson. The house is now on the National Register of Historic Places for its architecture and Garretson's role in preserving Iowa history.

Their website says O.A. had “numerous articles on local Iowa history were published in the Iowa Journal of History & Politics and The Palimpsest.  His well-known article "Travelling on the Underground Railroad" is a top read for UG RR researchers.”