William A. Leet And Frederick Hassler Farmstead District
William A. Leet owned this farm from 1915 to 1918. During that time the Bungalow/American Craftsman-style house, matching three-bay garage, and the gambrel-roofed frame barn were built. Both were constructed by local builders Hans Detlefsen and Fritz Thorns. They were meant to invoke the wealth of the owner, which may have been his undoing, as Leet squandered his money and lost his estate and his wife to divorce. He lost the farm to his farm manager Frederick H. Hassler. Hassler owned the farm from 1918 to 1936, when he lost it as a result of the Great Depression. The rest of the historic farm buildings, structures and objects were built during his ownership. The corn crib, built in 1943, is the non-contributing building because it was built after the period of significance.
During the Leet-Hassler ownership, the farm was known for its Poland China hog operation. Known as the "Fashion Herd" by the 1920s, Hassler's hogs were sold to other operations around the country and were the basis for other famous herds. The farm is now a part of the Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park. The farmstead has been restored to the period of its historic significance.
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ Leah D. Rogers. "William A. Leet and Frederick Hassler Farmstead District". National Park Service. Retrieved March 31, 2016. with photo(s)
- ^ "Historic Farmstead". Manning Hausbarn Heritage Park. Retrieved March 31, 2016.