Case Western Reserve University Archives

Squire Valleevue Farm

Squire Valleevue Farm was left to Flora Stone Mather College of Western Reserve University by Andrew and Eleanor Squire. Andrew was one of the founding partners of the law firm Squire, Sanders, and Dempsey. He was a trustee of Western Reserve University from 1900 until his death in 1934.

Though their residence was on Euclid Avenue, Andrew and Eleanor purchased their first plot of land in Hunting Valley in 1911, adding other parcels at various times. By 1930 the University had access to the farm for picnics, outings, and research, and took full possession in 1937, after both Squires died.

Mather College used the farm for many purposes. It was a working farm for a number of years and provided the campus with food for the dining rooms. The women often helped with farm chores. The Pink Pig was used as a weekend residence for the Mather women. The Pink Pig was originally a pig sty that was converted into a residence (and is still in use). The students enjoyed skiing, ice skating, hiking, putting on theater productions, and other activities.


The May Squire House was used as a laboratory for the Home Economics students.

Several departments conducted research at the farm. Franklin J. Bacon, originally professor of pharmacognosy and later biology, lived at the farm, managing its operations, conducting classes and performing research. Beginning in the Spring of 1929 the School of Pharmacy grew a medicinal herb garden at Squire Valleevue Farm. (The School closed in 1949.) Research has continued through the years with $1.5 million in external grants awarded to the Biology Department from 2018-2023.



The Manor House has been used as a private residence, the university president’s home, and an event venue. Presidents Louis A. Toepfer (1970-1980) and David V. Ragone (1980-1987) called the Manor House home during their tenures.

In 1977 the University received a gift of 104 acres of the adjoining Valley Ridge Farm from the George Garretson Wade family. Ten additional acres were gifted to the university by the Hollisters in 1984 and 1995, and an anonymous gift in 2013 allowed for the purchase of 9 more acres. All 400 acres with facilities are collectively referred to as the University Farm now.

You can view more images of the farm by visiting the University Archives Image Collection in Digital Case.

In 2011 William Claspy, Team Leader for University Archives and Special Collections, interviewed Ana Locci, director of the farm, and Christopher Bond, horticulturalist at the farm, about their book, Case Western Reserve University: Squire Valleevue and Valley Ridge Farms.  Listen to the podcast.

Sources
For more information about Squire Valleevue Farm see the Sources page.


 

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