Anna and Mikko Pyhala Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Anna and Mikko Pyhala Farm
|
|
The Pyhala Farm's horse barn (left) and cattle/hay barn (right)
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 4745 Salo Road, Embarrass, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Built | c. 1895–1931 |
| Built by | Mikko and Matt Pyhala |
| Architectural style | Log |
| MPS | Rural Finnish Log Buildings of St. Louis County, Minnesota, 1890–1930s MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000521 |
| Added to NRHP | June 12, 2003 |
The Anna and Mikko Pyhala Farm is a special old farm in Embarrass, Minnesota, United States. It's now a place you can visit to learn about history! A family from Finland started this farm in 1909. It still has seven buildings, including some built with old Finnish log styles. There are even ruins of an even older log cabin from around 1895. This farm is important because it shows how Finnish families settled in America and turned wild forests into working farms. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 because of its history, unique buildings, and connection to Finnish heritage.
The farm was used for farming until the 1970s. Today, the Pyhala Farm is cared for by SISU Heritage Inc., a group based in Embarrass. You can visit the farm as part of the Finnish-American Homestead Tours offered in the summer. These tours start at the Embarrass Information Center.
Exploring the Pyhala Farm
The Pyhala Farm is a great example of how early Finnish immigrants built their homes and farms in Minnesota. Many buildings were constructed on the property between the late 1890s and 1945. These buildings show the traditional ways of building with logs, which was common in Finland.
What You'll See at the Farm
When you visit the Pyhala Farm, you can explore several old buildings. Each one tells a part of the farm's story.
Standing Buildings
- Woodshed: This building was built around 1910. It was used to store wood for heating and cooking.
- Cattle and Hay Barn: This large barn was built in 1928 and made even bigger in 1931. It was used to house cows and store hay for them to eat.
- Sauna: Built in 1924, the sauna was a very important building for Finnish families. It was used for bathing and relaxation.
- Horse Barn: This barn, built in 1929, was home to the farm's horses. Horses were essential for working the land before tractors became common.
- Farmhouse: The main house was built later, between 1942 and 1945. Unlike the other buildings, it's made of concrete blocks.
Ruined Buildings
You can also see the remains of two older buildings:
- Log Cabin: This cabin was built around 1895 by Charles Matson. He was an earlier Finnish immigrant who sold the land to the Pyhala family in 1909.
- Calf Shed: This shed, built around 1910, was used to shelter young calves.
All the log buildings and ruins are considered important parts of the historic farm. The old well and the farm fields are also part of this historic site.
