Local History Goes National

It's no secret that I love history, especially the 18th century history of Fort Ouiatenon and the early 19th century history of The Battle of Tippecanoe. When historical events like that happened right where you live, how can you not?

So, when a national entity takes an interest in your local history, too, does some research, and then publishes an article about it, you can't help but smile.

That national entity is Archaeology Magazine and its January/February 2026 issue has a nice article in it about Prophetsown.  

I've written a lot about Prophetsown, the Farm at Prophetstown, 

and the heirloom apple orchard that was planted there in memory of my family's orchard. 

It's because of Prophetstown that I ended up with Abby. At the time, Leslie was the director of The Farm at Prophetstown and needed to buy some horses for it. I went with her and met Abby. Fortuitous, for sure! 

Prophetstown is just across a field from the Tippecanoe Battlefield. Which makes sense - the battle was between Tecumseh's confederation of Shawnee nations gathered at Prophetstown who crossed that field to do battle with William Henry Harrison and his forces where they were camped on Burnett's Creek. 

Take a look at the article if you have time. That picture of the Circle of Stones? My favorite place in Prophetstown.

It honors the fourteen known nations that were part of Tecumseh's confederation plus a fifteenth stone that honors those who were there but are unknown by name at this time.

I did not know about the earthen burial mound in the park that's mentioned in the article. I'm going to ask Leslie where it is and go visit it when the weather breaks. 

Here's the link to the article if you are interested.

https://archaeology.org/issues/january-february-2026/off-the-grid/prophetstown-indiana/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPYc9pleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1MERPQ01xOUZlU3ZEQmVFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrsVPQhrb4io0b9D2wt99xwp1--LayWYLailxSVt4VpnQRJ5uFiECJ0dXO78_aem_mAch69UOK1NBgciO7ucW7Q

Of course, I am going to have to wait to go see that burial mound. We got more snow again last night, it's windy and blowing that fresh snow all over, and the temps are plummeting.

Tammo looked at me as though I were crazy when I opened the door for him to go outside this morning. Finally, he scooted around the protected side of the house, and then came running back. Pepper was more stoic but she went fast, too. 

Can't say I blame them. And I sure wish I could provide them with a tiny room like mine! LOL

Stay warm, all!

Morning at the Farm: "This is for You!"

Lukie and I finished our visit to The Farm at Prophetstown by walking through the Gibson Farmhouse.

One of the first things I spied was this circus horse bank.

Lukie's mama, Vanessa, loves sunflowers, so we took a photo of Lukie in the Farmhouse kitchen wearing this sunflower patterned apron.

Wouldn't you love to have Thanksgiving or Sunday dinners in this beautiful room?

This was my Grandma Martin's rocker. My sister Leslie donated it along with our mom's china hutch to the Farm.

The Farmhouse has a gift shop in one of the rooms and Lukie chose this stuffed pony to take home. (Selfies with a three year old while rocking back and forth on a porch swing are hard.)

Lukie took some photos of me in the porch swing holding my souvenir, something he had insisted that I needed. 

The pictures he took were all like this one, so I had him hold my souvenir and took another photo.

A Safari Thoroughbred! When we walked into the gift shop, he spied that little horse, grabbed it and turned to me saying, "Grammy, this is for you!"

Sorry for the crummy photos; they were taken very early in the morning before the sun was up.

Using the flash wasn't much better. (Some day I need to dedicate a corner of my office to a photo stand and set up my light ring and backdrop permanently. Maybe when those riding habits are finished.)

Our Grammy School field trip to the Farm took the entire morning. I'd also planned to go out into the park and see the memorials to the native peoples who had once lived in the area, but that will have to wait for the next field trip.

Morning at the Farm: Meeting JJ!

As Lukie and I were heading back to the farmhouse from the big barn, we spied someone that we had not yet visited.

JJ, the miniature donkey! (Like the horses and minis, JJ also came from Indiana Horse Rescue.)

JJ was friendly and curious, and he came right over to us when he noticed us by his paddock.

Lukie thought JJ's ears were funny because they were so fuzzy and big.

I liked his primitive markings.

JJ hung out with us for some time, 

just enjoying our company (and some good scritches.)

And when he was done socializing, he turned and meandered back out into the pasture.

Lukie and I had one last place to visit on the Farm before we headed home.

A walk through the Gibson farmhouse - where we found more horsey things.

Stay 'tooned!

A Morning at the Farm

Cowpoke Lukie comes to our house on Friday mornings for Grammy School (i.e. a lot of play time with Craig and me with some preschool skills slipped in), and like all good schools, sometimes we take field trips. This week we went out to The Farm at Prophetstown.

The Gibson Farmhouse - the starting point when you visit the Farm.

Lukie was hesitant about all the animals at first, but he soon warmed up to them and began venturing into the hen houses, coops, and barns.

Trying out the vis-a-vis sleigh in the vehicle barn.

Lukie told me on the ride home that the horses we saw were his favorite.

I'm not sure if he meant them all, or just Bojangle and Hope, the minis, but the horses were my favorites, too!

All the equines on the farm are from Indiana Horse Rescue, and it was because the Farm was looking for a new horse that I ended up with Abby. 

I always get a little sad when I see a vintage tractor. My dad loved them and had eight stored in our barn when he passed away.

Sadly, they all were lost when our barn at the orchard caught fire and burned.

I always enjoy going into the big barn on the property. 

It was built by the Amish and they come out and maintain it so that it remains in good working order.

Slip stalls that are used when there are events on the grounds that include horses brought in for demonstrations. 

A look up into the hay mow.

Ryder and Daisy, both off the track Standardbreds who came from Indiana Horse Rescue, had come into one of the box stalls to get out of the sun.

After Lukie and I finished in the big barn, we began walking back to the farmhouse. It was then we spied another animal that we just HAD to go see.

Any guesses?? Stay 'tooned!

Pony Pals at Prophetstown

Craig and I took Ian, Mila, and Lukas out to The Farm at Prophetstown this week. It's a working 1920s farm located in Prophetstown State Park which is just a few miles from our home. There are all kinds of livestock at the farm, including things that make Pony Pals (and their Grammy) very happy.

It was no surprise that Pony Pal Mila gravitated right away to the miniature horses. This mare is named Hope.

And this is Bojangles. All the equines on the farm are from Indiana Horse Rescue (which is where Abby is from, too.)

My sister, Leslie, is the director of the farm, and she loves to have Ian, Mila, and Lukie come out. They believe that the farm is her home; I cannot convince them otherwise!

The Gibson Farmhouse, a Sears & Roebuck home, where we go visit "Aunt Leslie's house to see the animals" according to Ian and Mila.

Might I have another budding Pony Pal in Lukas? He had no hesitations in reaching through the bars of the gate to pet Hope.

 Both Hope and Bojangles are excellent animal ambassadors for The Farm.

There are also two Standardbreds.

 Daisy and Ryder, both off the track trotters who have found a new purpose in life.

Like the kids, I was hanging around the gate, too, and watching the horses.

After touring all the animals (chickens, ducks, turkeys, sheep, hogs, and cattle), we cooled off by going into "Aunt Leslie's house." It is decorated with items from the 1920s and you are allowed to touch things, sit on the couches,

and even try out the kids' rocking horse. Lukie loved it!

The kids hope we can go visit Aunt Leslie again soon. So do I.

Thanks, Aunt Leslie!

Like-Minded Sisters

In many ways, my sister and I are very different. She's tall, thin, and blonde, and I am short, heavy, and a brunette (with very white legs.) 

 Our interests do not mesh until it comes to horses. Then, we are very much on the same page!

 Me, Ryder, and Leslie in the big barn at The Farm at Prophetstown.

She is helping me introduce Ian and Mila to the delights of being a barn rat and spending time with the farm animals, especially the horses.

Ian, me, and Mila.

"Ouch! This straw is prickly" cried Ian as we sat for the picture. (Our work is cut out for us.)

But perhaps with two like-minded sisters, we will help Ian and Mila find the joy of spending time in a barn and with horses.