Frederick A. and Sophia Bagg Bonanza Farm facts for kids
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Frederick A. and Sophia Bagg Bonanza Farm
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 Location in North Dakota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mooreton Township, Richland County, North Dakota, USA |
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| Nearest city | Mooreton, North Dakota |
| Area | 11.6 acres (4.7 ha) |
| Built | 1915 |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002832 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1985 |
| Designated NHLD | April 5, 2005 |
The Frederick A. and Sophia Bagg Bonanza Farm was a huge farm in Richland County, North Dakota, United States. It was also known as the Bagg Bonanza Farm. This farm was special because it was run almost like a factory! It operated from about 1915 to 1935. At its biggest, the farm covered about 7,000 acres, which is like 5,300 football fields! Today, the farm buildings are a museum. It's one of the best examples of a "bonanza farm" left in the country. In 2005, it was named a National Historic Landmark. You can find it about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Mooreton, North Dakota.
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What Was a Bonanza Farm?
A "bonanza farm" was a very large farm. These farms grew huge amounts of crops, usually wheat. They used new machines and business ideas to make farming more efficient. It was like a big company, but for growing food! These farms became popular when railroads made it easier to send crops to market.
The Bagg Farm Story
How the Farm Started
Frederick and Sophia Bagg worked on another big farm nearby. Frederick was a foreman, managing the workers. Sophia was a cook. In the 1890s, they started buying land for their own farm. By 1915, they had enough land to start the Bagg Bonanza Farm.
Running the Farm Like a Factory
Frederick Bagg thought of his farm as a factory. He used business ideas like dividing up tasks among workers. He also focused on managing costs. This helped the farm produce a lot of crops efficiently. The farm mainly grew wheat, corn, and clover.
Life on the Farm
The Bagg Bonanza Farm was a busy place. It had many buildings for people and animals. There were also buildings for storing feed and farm equipment. The main house was once a bunkhouse from another farm. The Baggs changed it to live in and house their workers. The buildings were simple and practical, without much fancy decoration.
The Farm's Size and Legacy
The farm's size changed over time. At its largest, it was about 7,000 acres. Frederick Bagg eventually divided the farm among his five children. He also gave parts to two of his most important workers. Today, the farm is a museum. It helps us understand how these huge farms worked in the past.
