Agriculture AT CONNER PRAIRIE

William Conner moves to Noblesville.

Did You Know the "prairie" where Conner Prairie is located is not a prairie? It was a floodplain which would flood each year. This prevented things like large trees from growing. This made it valuable land for growing crops because it did not have to be cleared at a time when most of the state was covered in thick forests.

The Conner Prairie property was first given to William Conner's son, William H. Conner, after his death. 

The land is sold to John D. Evans, ending the Conner family's ownership of the land.

There are four subsequent land owners who largely turn the farmland over to tenant farmers. One of these families is the Atkins family, who built what would later become Shen Ho Shi. 

Recognizing the historical value and educational potential of the land, as well as it's value as farmland, Eli Lilly II purchases the land. He settled and began operation as a show farm, featuring award-winning, purebred livestock.

Did You Know? A show farm is a livestock farm for purebred animals that compete in agricultural shows, like the ones that still happen today at county and state fairs. They are animals that are the best representatives of their breed in terms of body shape and other features.

Lilly purchases the Owens Farm across the White River. Upon purchase, this dairy farm became part of Conner Prairie Farms. Landing holdings after that purchase included 800 acres.

1941-1942 was a turning point, with a shift from show farm to an attempt at profits. During the war, people on the homefront were encouraged to be frugal have a mindset focused on productivity and conservation of resources. Many families planted victory gardens and began to grow their own food. This led Lilly to begin to feel that his show farm was, in his words, "unpatriotic" because it was using up resources for something frivolous. 

During WW2, with farm manager Tillman Bubenzer taking the lead, Lilly shifted his focus to farming cross-bred cattle and hogs. By cross-breeding animals, you get animals that are hardier (more resistant to disease and heat or cold) and more productive (produce more milk or meat in less time and with less feed). 

In addition, if the farm continued to cost money rather than turn a profit or break even, it would fall into the "hobby farm" category and be taxed at a much higher rate.

A greater emphasis on growing crops for animal feed also occurred during this time.

Lilly makes a "sudden" (according to Bubenzer) decision to get out of the farming business.

Conner Prairie Farms, including the Conner House and associated buildings acquired by Lilly is turned over to Earlham. Conner Prairie Farms continues to operate as a working farm with Bubenzer at the helm at this time.

Conner Prairie Pioneer Village opens to the public. At the opening, there were six buildings. Dr. Campbell's Home opened in the following year.

A village named "Prairietown" opens featuring The Golden Eagle Inn.