Grove Farm (Lihue, Hawaii) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grove Farm
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Wilcox residence, Grove Farm, Kauai
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 Location in Kauai
Location in Hawaii
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| Location | On Hawaii Route 58, southeast of Lihue, Hawaii |
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| Area | 81.79 acres (33.10 ha) |
| Built | 1854 |
| Architect | Charles William Dickey |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000722 78003436 |
| Added to NRHP | June 25, 1974 |
Grove Farm is a special historic place on Kauai, one of the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. It started as a big farm where people grew sugarcane. Today, it helps us learn about Hawaii's past.
Contents
The Story of Grove Farm
Grove Farm began in 1854. A man from Germany named Hermann A. Widemann started it. It was one of the first sugar plantations in Hawaii.
Growing Sugar and New Owners
During the American Civil War (a big war in the United States), people needed more sugar. This made sugar from Hawaii very popular. Widemann, the farm's owner, supported the southern states in the war.
In 1864, Widemann leased Grove Farm to its manager, George Norton Wilcox. Wilcox later bought the farm. His family owned Grove Farm for more than 100 years!
Smart Farming Ideas
George Wilcox was very clever. He built a special system to bring water from the wet mountains to the drier farm fields. This helped the sugarcane grow much better. Other farmers in Hawaii later copied his smart idea.
In 1881, Princess Ruth Keʻelikolani sold some land next to Grove Farm. This made the farm much bigger, about ten times its original size!
Building Homes and More
In 1903, the Wilcox family hired an architect named Charles William Dickey. He designed a new house for Ralph Wilcox and his wife. Dickey also helped make the main farm house bigger and more open in 1915.
From 1913 to 1917, small houses were built for the farm workers. These houses were called Kaipu Camp. This name came from a Hawaiian word for a Chinese worker who was a foreman on the farm.
Exploring the Main House
The main house at Grove Farm is quite grand. Downstairs, it has two bedrooms, a writing room, two bathrooms, and a library. A big staircase leads upstairs to more bedrooms.
Behind the main house, there is a cool, six-sided building. It looks like a Japanese teahouse and was built in 1898. There's also a guest cottage from around 1890. Another small house was built in 1877 for George Wilcox. An office building was added in 1884. Many other buildings like sheds and a garage helped the farm run smoothly.
Changes Over Time
George Wilcox passed away in 1933. The farm was then left to his nieces and nephews.
During World War II, Grove Farm started growing different kinds of food. This helped feed the people living in Hawaii, including the many soldiers there.
In 1948, Grove Farm bought another big farm called McBryde plantation. This included the Koloa sugar mill. By 1974, Grove Farm stopped growing sugar itself. Instead, they leased their sugar production to another company. Grove Farm then started focusing on building homes and resorts.
A Historic Landmark
The Wilcox estate became a protected historic site on June 25, 1974. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in Hawaii. This means it's an important place to preserve.
Grove Farm Today
The main house at Grove Farm is now a private museum. It's called the Grove Farm Sugar Plantation Museum. You can visit it by making an appointment. It is located on Hawaii Route 58.
Old trains from the Grove Farm Company are kept nearby in Puhi. These are special narrow gauge trains. Sometimes, you can even ride some of the restored trains about once a month near the Lihue Plantation Sugar Mill.
New Beginnings
In the 1990s, sugarcane farming ended completely in the area. A golf course called Puakea was being built on part of the old farm. Then, Hurricane Iniki hit in 1992. The golf course opened with ten holes in 1997 and later became a full 18-hole course.
In 2000, a businessman named Steve Case bought the Grove Farm Company. He also bought the nearby Lihue plantation in 2001. This made his land total about 40,000 acres. Steve Case's grandfather had actually worked on the plantation a long time ago. Case has plans for new, environmentally friendly buildings on the land.
Images for kids
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Wilcox residence, Grove Farm, Kauai
