This is Ethel and Harold Harding's 56 acre farm. My grandfather bought the farm in the 1940's. The farm was hilly as it was the end of the Kankakee Moraine. The farm was sand, gravel, and blue clay in the low areas. My grandfather planted thousands of pine and hardwood trees to help heal the erosion from previous farmers. Our hay fields were on either side of the pines along a very long lane. This photo captures just half of the lane. Just over the hills were was the large pond, perhaps 5 or 6 acres. My grandfather put in an earthen dam to build the pond between the two ridge lines. A creek and natural springs fed the pond. I helped plant the little pines in the top right corner. The buildings are gone, the beavers have reconstructed the ponds. It is now part of Potato Creek State Park. We lost it to the park in 1976. It was a magical farm and I am many happy memories of our years there. Thank you for this treasure.

Miss that place. I can only return there in my dreams!