Turner Farm is a typical farm headquarters from the early 1900s. It is in Buena Vista at 829 West Main (County Road 306).
Turner Farm started as the Walker homestead in 1891. The homestead cabin had one room and an attached lean-to for the family of five. In 1911, Mr. Walker finally saved enough to build the two-story farmhouse complete with electricity and indoor plumbing. Unfortunately, he soon became ill and sold the farm to William Turner.
The Turners operated the farm and apple orchard until the 1970s. They also expanded their business to include a blacksmith shop, freight company and sawmill. They sold the farmland for subdivisions with the last parcels auctioned off in the 1990s.
In 1997, Buena Vista Heritage acquired the farm headquarters with the homestead cabin, farmhouse, apple orchard, barns and garage. Once the restorations are complete, the property will be a living history museum focused on the area’s agricultural history. BVH hosts events during the summer.
AppleFest takes place the second Saturday in September. The festival is filled with apple pies, food, old-time music, historic demonstrations, children’s activities and apple-picking.
Turner Farm is also the site of the Buena Vista community garden.