CENTURY FARMS
of Henderson County TN


THE HOUSTON FARM

Located southeast of Lexington, Tennessee, Church Gray Houston established the Houston Farm in 1881. On 110 acres, the farm produced cotton, corn, hogs and cattle. Married to Martha Jane Bartholomew, the couple had eight children. However, three of them died in infancy. In the early 1900s, a small cabin was built on the land.

The next owner of the land was the founder’s son, James Troy Houston. During his ownership, many changes occurred on the farm. In the 1940s, the Flat Creek Canal was straightened and a new channel was dug that improved about 50 acres of bottomland. Also during the 1940s, electricity came to the community and was introduced to the farm. With the introduction of electricity, the farm was transformed and the family was able to use lights, refrigerators and electrical farm machinery.

In 1976, the grandson of the founder, Kenneth Ray Houston (Obituary) acquired the farm. In the 1980s, the community encountered a change with the development of Tennessee Highway 201 that went through the property.

Today, Kenneth still owns the farm and works the land that produces corn, soybeans, milo, hogs and cattle. The log cabin that was built in the 1900s still stands.

Source: Henderson County History and Culture

** The McBride Farm **

From the Lexington Progress July 2008
102 Year Old McBride Farm
Becomes Newest Century Farm

The McBride Farm in Henderson County recently was designated as a Tennessee Century Farm reported Caneta S. Hankins, director of the the Century Farms Program at the Center for Historic Preservation, which is located on the MTSU campus.

According to the farm's history, in 1906, James Franklin McBride bought a small farm of 49 acres south ofLexington. Married to Martha Gower McBride, the couple had five children; Lessie, Allie, Jonas, Paul and Phillip. A diverse farming operation, the family raised corn, cotton, beef cattle, swine and hay.

The second and current owner of the farm is the founder's grandson, Charles McBride. He and wife Joyce Presley McBride are the parents of Mickie Ratliff, Tina Hahn and Marsha Crowell. On acreage added over the years, Charles produces corn, beef cattle and hay.

Charles has been an active member of the farm bureau since 1962, and from 1967 to 2002, he served as its advisory director. Since 2002, he has served as the Henderson County Farm Bureau's director. His wife Joyce serves as the Henderson County Farm Bureau women's director chair.

The McBride Farm is the fifth Century Farm to be certified in Henderson County, Hankins noted. The Century Farm Program recognizes the contributions of Tennessee residents who have continuously owned, and kept in production, family land for at least 100 years. Since 1984, the CHP at MTSU has been a leader in the important work of documentating Tennessee's agricultural heritage and history through the Tennessee Century Farm Program, and continues to administer this program.

To be considered for eligibility a farm must be owned by the same family for at least 100 years; must prouduce $1,000 revenue annually; must have at least 10 acres of the original farm; and one owner must be a resident of Tennessee.



Old Homes of Henderson County Page 1
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