Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
John Frederick Beyer and his wife, Anna, were the owners of this property around 1900.
The original farmhouse was built at the corner of Colfax and Center streets, where Ace Hardware is currently located. Over the last century, portions of the property have been passed on to family members; however, today only 20 acres remain with the family. John Henricks, a great-grandson to J.F. Beyer, owns the last tract of ground at the north end of Colfax Street.
Originally, the farm encompassed more than 430 acres on the the southeast side of Pike Lake. The farm is referred to as a "splendid country estate" in the "History of Kosciusko County," circa 1920. Later in his life, J.F. Beyer devoted much of his attention to farming and raising livestock on this site. He was known as one of the most extensive cultivators of crops and general agricultural enterprise in this section of Indiana.
A native of Germany, J.F. Beyer was born in Prussia in 1850. He came to the United States at age 19 to visit relatives in Goshen. Beyer arrived in Warsaw in 1877, after spending seven years learning about his cousin's butter and egg business.
With only $5,000 and two wagons, he began his wholesale packing business, which became the foundation for the Beyer Brothers Co. With his brothers, Christian C. and John Edward, Beyer began a business venture that was a prominent factor in the establishment of the community. The company shipped produce, butter and eggs from local producers to the East Coast with an extensive fleet of wagons, trucks and an independent refrigerator line.
In 1888, Spring Fountain Park was founded on the east side of Winona Lake, with their first enterprise - a creamery - and the Winona Hotel. This historic transaction marked the successful beginning of the Chautauqua movement in Winona Lake.
The Beyer Farm Trail marks the contributions the Beyer farm made to Kosciusko County.
