Luther Burbank's Gold Ridge Experiment Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gold Ridge Farm
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the Caretaker's Cottage in 2012
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Sebastopol, California |
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| NRHP reference No. | 78000803 |
| Added to NRHP | December 14, 1978 |
Luther Burbank's Gold Ridge Experiment Farm is a special place in Sebastopol, California. It's a small farm, about 3 acres (12,000 square meters), that used to belong to a famous plant scientist named Luther Burbank (1849–1926). He bought this land in 1885 to do amazing experiments with plants. People called him "The Plant Wizard" because he created many new kinds of fruits, vegetables, and flowers!
Burbank first bought 10 acres (40,000 square meters) in 1885. He added more land in 1904 and 1906. By 1923, because he wasn't feeling well, he sold some of his land. Burbank passed away in 1926.
After Burbank's death, his wife, Elizabeth Waters Burbank (1888–1977), made sure his work would be remembered. In 1974, she gave the remaining 15 acres (61,000 square meters) of land to a group that built homes for seniors and people with disabilities. But she made sure that 3 acres (12,000 square meters) of the farm would be saved. This special part included the "Caretaker's Cottage," a barn, and over 250 living plants that Burbank had worked on.
This area was set aside as a historical and plant-filled place for everyone to learn from and enjoy. Today, the City of Sebastopol owns the farm. Volunteers from the Western Sonoma County Historical Society take care of it. It's a living museum where you can see hundreds of the plants Burbank developed.
Contents
The Story of Gold Ridge Farm
Why Luther Burbank Chose Gold Ridge
Luther Burbank needed more space for his plant experiments. His home and gardens in Santa Rosa, California weren't big enough for all his ideas. He bought Gold Ridge Farm because it had different types of land and sunlight. This allowed him to experiment with many different kinds of plants.
At its busiest time, Burbank had over 60,000 plant experiments happening at Gold Ridge Farm. A team of 15 to 20 workers helped him tend to all the plants.
What Happened After Burbank's Time
After Burbank passed away in 1926, people from Stark Brothers Nursery in Missouri came to list all the plants he had left. This nursery had been an important client of Burbank's. After that, the farm wasn't used much and fell into disrepair until the mid-1970s.
Saving Gold Ridge Farm Today
The Western Sonoma County Historical Society was started in Sebastopol in the 1970s. Its main goal was to save and take care of Burbank's Gold Ridge Farm. Now, this group also manages the West Sonoma County Museum, the Sebastopol Archives, and a research room for family history.
Today, Luther Burbank's Gold Ridge Experiment Farm is a museum about both plants and history. Visitors can take a guided tour or explore on their own. They can see hundreds of the "living legacies" of the man once called "The Plant Wizard."
Visiting Gold Ridge Farm
Gold Ridge Farm is located at 7777 Bodega Avenue in Sebastopol. It's about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) west of Main Street and is open to the public. The Western Sonoma County Historical Society and the West County Museum are located at 261 South Main Street in Sebastopol.
See also
In Spanish: Granja experimental Gold Ridge de Luther Burbank para niños
