Much has been written about the famous "bonanza farms" of early days. While there were several farms of sufficient size in Barnes County, perhaps the most notable was that known first as the "Kindred Farm" and later as the "Nester Farm."
C. F. Kindred, Land Agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad, took a proprietory interest in the well-being of Valley City and well he might, since he had acquired some 3,200 acres of land located two miles north of the city. According to the 1910 Atlas of Barnes County, the land included 480 acres in Section 1 and 3; 160 acres in Section 4; 554 acres in Section 9; all of -Section 10; 480 acres in Section 11 and 424 acres in Section 15, T 140- R 58.
In 1879 Kindred began constructing buildings in the southwest corner of Section 10 and began plowing and seeding operations. Employing some thirty fulltime employees, work went forward at a rapid pace and by the summer of 1880, the following buildings were constructed while plowing and seeding over 500 acres of land: an office building, 18' x 22', completely furnished; a large twostory warehouse for supplies; a stablebarn for 60 horses; a machinery hall, 40' x 60'; a two-story barracks for the employees; a separate dining hall with complete kitchen facilities and a large, completely furnished, modern (for that time) home. In addition, a 7 acre garden was set aside and planted.
A devotee of horse-racing, Kindred imported a stable of racing horses, building a special stable to house them, and also constructed a race track, complete with bleachers.
On October 10, 1884, the major part of the farm was sold to Samuel Nester for the sum of $84,000. Nester operated the farm through a series of farm managers for over twenty years. Some land was sold shortly after Nester assumed ownership, especially the outlying portions which were difficult to operate due to the distance from the home headquarters.
By October of 1916, all land had been disposed of and the then manager, Neil McFadgen, held an auction sale on October 14th to dispose of the personal property, which included 80 head of Aberdeen Angus cattle, 150 chickens, 50 tons of hay, 50 bushels of potatoes, 7 bedroom sets, 7 stoves and a large amount of horsedrawn farm machinery, as well as the office furniture and equipment. Thus ended Barnes County's bonanza farm.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 324