Grant's Farm facts for kids

A personal history of Ulysses S. Grant, and sketch of Schuyler Colfax (1868)

Horizontal wood engraving on a vertical page from Every Saturday, November 25, 1871, page 525, showing an old two-story house surrounded by trees.

Horizontal, black and white photograph of three-quarter view of Grant's log cabin and surrounding grounds in 1912

Grant's log cabin in 2015

Beer garden at Grant's Farm, 2010

Grant's Farm is a special place in Grantwood Village, Missouri. It's a historic farm that was once owned by Ulysses S. Grant. He later became a U.S. President. The land was given to him and his wife, Julia, in 1848. Today, it's a popular animal park where you can see many different animals.

Exploring Grant's Farm: Animals and History

Grant's Farm has a rich history. It was first owned by the Dent family, then by Ulysses S. Grant. Now, the Busch family owns it. They used to own the famous Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company.

The farm is a large animal reserve. It is open to everyone for free. There is a small fee for parking your car. This fee helps keep the farm running and the animals cared for.

Amazing Animals You Can See

Grant's Farm is home to many different animals. You can see buffalo, elephants, camels, and kangaroos. There are also donkeys, goats, and beautiful peacocks.

One of the most famous groups of animals here are the Budweiser Clydesdales. These are large, powerful horses. You can often see them in their barn and nearby pastures. Many animals can be seen from a special tram tour. This tour takes you through the deer park area of the farm.

Hardscrabble: Grant's Own Cabin

On the farm, you can find a unique cabin called "Hardscrabble." Ulysses S. Grant built this cabin himself in 1856. It was originally on another part of the property. Later, it was moved to Grant's Farm.

This cabin is very special. It is the only building still standing that was hand-built by a U.S. president before they became president. It shows how Grant lived before his time in office.

White Haven: A President's Home

Next to Grant's Farm is the Busch family mansion. There is also a house called White Haven. This was the family home of Grant's wife, Julia Grant. Ulysses S. Grant lived there between the Mexican and Civil Wars.

Julia's father, Colonel Frederick Dent, gave 80 acres of land to Julia and Ulysses as a wedding gift. Grant built his "Hardscrabble" cabin on this land. White Haven is now a national historic site. It helps people learn about Grant's life before he became president.

Who Owns Grant's Farm Today?

In recent years, there have been discussions about who would own Grant's Farm. In 2015, the St. Louis Zoo wanted to buy it. This would have allowed the zoo to expand and help endangered animals. However, the Busch family members had different ideas about the sale.

One of the Busch heirs, Billy Busch, wanted to keep the farm in the family. He made his own offer to buy it. Because the family couldn't agree, the St. Louis Zoo decided not to buy the farm.

Keeping the Farm Open

In December 2017, five members of the Busch family agreed to buy Grant's Farm together. These family members are Andrew Busch, Peter Busch, Robert Hermann Jr., Trudy Valentine, and Beatrice von Gontard.

Their goal is to keep Grant's Farm free and open to the public. They work with AB InBev, the company that operates the farm. Their hope is that future generations will continue to enjoy this special place.