Birmingham, Mich. : its past, present and future.

BIRMINGHAM, ITS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

est state of cultivation. The buildings consist of a large farm
house and hay, grain and stock barns. A branch of the River
Rouge runs through the farm, supplying water for the stock at all
times. The house is situated on a hill, surrounded by fine shade
trees, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. The
products of the place are of all kinds of farm produce which are
raised in abundance. One of the special features of the farm is a
splendid herd of thoroughbred Red Polled cattle, including a registered Red Polled bull. These cattle are of the hornless variety
and are noted for the quantity and richness of their milk. In addition to this herd, the ordinary farm stock of horses, sheep and hogs
are kept. Mr. Frank Herbison was born in Troy and Mr. Nathan
Herbison in Royal Oak. Both are unmarried and have followed
the occupation of farmers all of their lifetime.
OUTLOOK FARM,
Frank P. German, Owner.
OUTLOOK FARM is situated two miles west of Birmingham, on the Franklin road, and consists of eighty and 8o-ioo
acres of fine farming land of a slightly rolling nature. The soil is
a mixture of clay loam. Mr. German purchased this farm five years

the Parks and Everts farms, of whom Mr. Hunt purchased. The
farm is all improved, drained and tiled. The land has been fertilized
to a high degree. Mr. Hunt has made many improvements on
the place. He has lately built a mammoth new barn, new fences,
and will soon erect a fine new house. There are two flowing wells
on the place, which supply plenty of good water. The buildings
consist of a house and three hay, grain, horse and cattle barns. The
products are the usual farm produce. Besides the regular farm
stock, Mr. Hunt keeps a large herd of cows and runs a first-class
dairy. Mr. Hunt was born in Groveland. Oakland county, and
has always been a farmer. He has been on his present farm sixteen
years, was married twenty-six years ago to Miss Jennie Farrand,
and has one son.
GILBLRT LAKE FARM,
Mrs. Ellen F. Peabody, Owner.
THE PEABODY FARM is one of the best known farms
about Birmingham. It was formerly the old Trowbridge Farm.
and is located three miles northwest of Birmingham, and contains
one hundred and eighty-six and a half acres of flat land, with about
twelve or fifteen acres of the waters of Gilbert Lake. The farm is
BARN SCENE-PEABODY FARM
a particularly fertile one, and is as handsome as it is good. The
house stands on the highlands near the lake, and the view from
it over the cultivated fields down to the sloping lake-side is
a very pretty one. The buildings comprise a good farm house,
hay, grain, horse and cattle barns, tool and ice houses. Every kind
of farm products are raised, and the fruit orchard is particularly
fine. Considerable stock is kept, the fields adjoining the lake being
first-class pasture. Mrs. Peabody does not reside on the farm, but
makes her home in Birmingham. The farm is under the careful
supervision of Mr. William Brooks, who has been very successful
with it.
PARKER FARM,
Asher B. Parker, Owner.

RESICENCE-CUTLCCK FARM.
ago from Mr. Dewey, and has made great improvements on it.
He has erected a fine new house, rebuilt the barns, built new fences
and drained and tiled the place. The house stands on a rising
piece of ground and the splendid view from it gives the farm its
name. The products are general farm products, and the stock is
of the usual farm stock. Mr. German was born at Franklin arnd
has always farmed. He was married in 1876 to Miss Emily Durkee,
and has two daughters and one son.
WALNUT RIDGE FARM,
William H. Hunt, Owner.
WALNUT RIDGE FARM contains one hundred acres of
splendid farming land, and is situated one and a half miles south of
Birmingham, on the Detroit and Pontiac road. Part of the land
I

BARN SCENE-WALNUT RIDGE FARM.
in this farm is very rolling and a part quite level. The soil is a
clay and gravelly loam. This farm was originally two farms
RESIDENCE-PARKER FARM.
THE PARKER FARM is situated two and one-fourth miles
south of Birmingham, on the Detroit and Pontiac road. The farm