To our visitors,
Below is a brief summary of my family’s history in the Lowell area, as well as how Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch began. It is truly my pleasure to be able to share with you my family’s proud past. I would like to thank each and everyone of my guests for visiting and giving me an opportunity to share my family’s farming history with you.
In the 1850’s, about the time of the founding of the Town of Lowell, Thomas and Lucinda Craft moved from Ohio to the Orchard Gove area (which is the name of the area east of Lowell but west of Interstate 65.) They settled on a large plot of land just south of the old Orchard Grove School on what is now Grant Street near the Spring Run Creek. Thomas and his family raised cattle to be sold at market in Chicago, in addition to spirited horses for local farmers. On the 80 acres to the southeast of their home the family would cut 200 tons of Timothy hay each season, and also grow wheat to supplement the family’s income.
James Craft, one of twelve children of Thomas and Lucinda Craft, married Florence Sisson. James and Florence purchased their own homestead in Orchard Grove in the mid 1800’s because Thomas could not support all 12 of his children’s families from a single farm. The land was also located on what is now Grant Street just north of Indiana Route 2 and is the current location of Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch. The family’s two children, Walter and Mable, were born on this land. Mable married Murray Turner in 1909. Murray helped James maintain the farm and work the land as James progressed in age. Upon James’ passing, Murray continued farming the land until the 1940’s when his health forced him to retire.
Murray and Mable Turner had two children, Mildred (my grandmother) and Marjorie. The land continued to be farmed by Majorie’s husband until 1958. It was at this time that other interests pushed family members to pursue jobs in other occupations. It was not until 2007 when I became interested in growing pumpkins on a large scale that the family was once again farming the land. Currently, I am growing approximately five acres of pumpkins each year. While it has been a long journey learning the skills of my forefathers it also has brought me hours of enjoyment.
I am happy to announce that in July 2009 I married Melissa (Volkman) Sickinger. Melissa has been very supportive of the pumpkin patch from the beginning and has always lent a helping hand whenever it is needed. Look for her this fall while painting your newly picked pumpkin.
I am proud of my family’s rich farming history and look forward to carrying it on in the future. It is a true honor for me to be able to open up the family farm to all our visitors each fall. I look forward to meeting all our future guests and helping their families begin a fall tradition at Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch.
Sincerely,
Josh Sickinger
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