History is an important part of Whiterock Resort. You can
scroll through other history pages, and learn more about the History of Coon Rapids, the History of Whiterock Valley (including
information about coal mining in the valley, the River House Dance Barn and the Log Cabin)
and History of the Resort. However, the
Garst Farm Lodge, the headquarters of the Resort, is our most important historical
site. It was the family home of agricultural
innovator and citizen diplomat Roswell Garst. This
history portrayed with a superb collection of photographs, memorabilia, books and videos
available at the Lodge.
Liz Garst tells funny and true stories about the history of the family
and the Khrushchev visit in a history talk, which is free to overnight guests.
Roswell and his wife, Elizabeth, culminated
distinguished careers by hosting Soviet Premier Nikita
Khrushchev at their Coon Rapids, Iowa farm during the height of the Cold
War, in September 1959. This historic
event during the height of the Cold War, opened the doors to the "trade butter, not
guns" diplomacy between the Soviet Union and the United States that eventually
resulted in the open trade policies of today.
Originally 200 acres, Roswell began farming the
"Apple Farm" in 1916 with his brother Jonathan.
In 1922, Roswell brought his bride
here. Except for a few years in the late 1920's, Roswell and Elizabeth lived here until
their deaths in 1977 and 1996 respectively.
Roswell was known as a agriculture innovator and a
marketing entrepreneur. Roswell always had his order book out, and understood the
fundamental importance of food, as evidenced with his often-stated declaration,
"Hungry people are dangerous people."
The farm was originally a dairy farm in the 1920's, but
was converted to a swine producing farm in the 1940's. Since the 1950's, the "Garst
Farm Lodge" has been the center of a large-scale cow-calf operation.
Over 100 years old, the Farm House was enlarged and
remodeled many times to accommodate the Garst's five children. Except for the bathrooms,
today's floor plan is the same as it was in 1950.
An avid gardener, Elizabeth beautified her yard with
perennials and an annual cutting garden, in addition to growing vegetables to feed her
family. Her flower beds at the Garst Farm Lodge are still lovely.
We're not sure how old the large cottonwood tree by the
drive is, but the maple trees east of the house came on the first train to Coon Rapids in
1885.
The ponds
northwest of the house are just two of many ponds scattered across the
Garst family farms. Built for water and soil conservation, the Garst
Ponds are well stocked with catfish, bullhead, bass, and bluegill.. Most
ponds also feature either floating goose nests or wood duck houses.
You're welcome to
explore the Garst Home Farm.
