Farms

Developers eyed the extensive farmland in West Andover after World War II. Once Routes 495 and 93 were built, the area became a prime target for industry. One by one farmers sold their land and businesses moved in and residential dwellings were constructed.

In 1920 the population of Andover was 8,268. There were 206 farms. 
In 1950 the population of Andover was 12,437. There were 92 farms.
In 2005 the population of Andover was 31,247. There were 5 farms.

See

• "Andover's Last Farms" by Rita Savard, Andover Townsman, August 4, 2005, pages 4 and 5. (In the Andover File under "Farms")

Bailey Farm

The Bailey Farm on Laurel Lane was bought by Roger Lewis in 1939. In 1968 it was sold to Arkright-Boston, who leased the property to Hewlitt Packard. The farm specialized in strawberries.

See

• Andover a Century of Change:1896 - 1996 by Eleanor Motley Richardson, (974.45 Ric), page 66, page 67 and page 229.

Lewis Farm

Roger Lewis, owner of the Lewis Farm on Lowell Street, helped to pass legislation stop development of farmland. The Agricultural Restriction Law provided funds for farmers to enable them to continue farming their land and resist the high sums offered by developers. Mr. Lewis did sell some of his land to developers and then bought a land in South Deerfield.

See

• Andover a Century of Change:1896 - 1996 by Eleanor Motley Richardson, (974.45 Ric), page 66 to page 67.

Loosigian Farm

The Loosigian Farm, located on Lowell Street, has been a working farm since 1910.

See

• "Loosigian: 81 Years and Counting," Andover Townsman, April 4, 2002, page 1
• "Farm Bounty Recovering for Wet Spring," Andover Townsman, July 20, 2006
• Andover Vertical File - Farms

Maddox Farm

The Maddox Farm, located on the Merrimack River, once encompased a huge tract of land, but as of October 1999, the Maddox family had sold all but two small parcels. In the early 1950's they sold to the Loosigians, who operated the farm as Pleasantview farms until 1976, when it was sold for industrial development.

See

• "Family Farm was where HP, Pictel and Cabletron are Today", Breaktime, October 1999. (This article is in the Andover Vertical File under Farms.)

Nabydoski Farm

The Nabydoski Farm, encompassing 40 acres, closed in 2005. The town maintained that because the garbage on the farm attracted seagulls. it was responsible for the high coliform count in the Pinnacle Brook and thus posed a health risk.

After a long battle with the town, Mr Nabydoski sold to developer William Johnson in October of 2004, but held the actual sale for more than a year with negotiations for Mr. Nabydoski was continue living on the property after the sale was completed.

See

• Neighbors Say His Farm Really Stinks," Andover Townsman, May 8, 2003, page 7
• "Farmer agrees to Move the Rest of His Livestock," Boston Sunday Globe, January 9, 2005
• "Farmer wonders what he'll do" Eagle Tribune January 20, 2005, pages 1 and 8
• "Nabydoski's Fines Continue to Soar," Eagle Tribune, September, 22, 2005
• Andover Vertical File - Farms

Rennie Farm

The Rennie Farm was located at 61 Argilla Road. One of their major crops were strawberries.

See

• Andover a Century of Change:1896 - 1996 by Eleanor Motley Richardson, (974.45 Ric), page 66.

Richardson Farm

The seventy acre Richardson Farm, located on Elm Street, was sold for the establishment of Merrimack College in 1947.

See

• Andover a Century of Change:1896 - 1996 by Eleanor Motley Richardson, (974.45 Ric), page 175.

Rose Glen Farm

The Rose Glen Farm, owned by Sid White, was located on Lowell Street. In 1960 Mr. White moved his herd to Argilla Road in 1960 and built a dairy bar on Andover Street. The Dairy Bar was sold and Village Deli and other businesses occupy the structure.

See

• Richardson Andover Century of Change

Andover a Century of Change:1896 - 1996 by Eleanor Motley Richardson, (974.45 Ric), page 26.

Shattuck Farm

The Shattuck Farm is registeded as an Offical Massachusetts Historical Site. Believed to have been populated in 6,000 B.C., in the 1970's the state allowed archaeological studies of the site to protect it from industrial development.

See

• "The Ghosts and Voices of Shattuck Farm, Today, June 18, 1975, page 10
• "8,000 Years of Man's Past Sought at Shattuck Farms", Andover Townsman, November 11, 1977.
• Andover Vertical File - Farms

Sylvan Hollow Farm

The Sylvan Hollow farm, a poultry farm, was located on Boutwell Road. See

• Andover a Century of Change:1896 - 1996 by Eleanor Motley Richardson, (974.45 Ric), page 66.

--Eleanor 16:02, September 6, 2006 (EDT)

back to Main Page