Lew Knapp recalls Lobell’s Farm

In December 18, 1994 recorded his memories of William Irving Lobdell's farm.  Lew began working on Lobdell's farm at age 5 as Lew tried to help his widowed mother with household expenses.  Lobdell's farm house was located at 317 Huntington Road and is still standing today.  Lobdell's farm was located between Huntington Road and Freeman Avenue.  Mr. Lobdell was born in 1855 and died in 1954.  In the 1920's and 1930's the farm was one of many "truck" farms in Stratford which began disappearing during World War II.  The farm was 15 acres in size.  

Lew recalls the products grown and marketed from Lobdell's farm, the layout and operation of the farm, and the seasonal activities performed on the farm.  He relates some charming memories of Mr. Wilcoxson, of Wilcoxson's farm, and of Mr. Spamer and his cigars.  Lew tells how Mr. Lobdell would drive to the circus grounds in Bridgeport to pickup elephant manure to fertilize his fields.  All-in-all, this is an historical tale of a largely forgotten Stratford.