Elizabeth and Roswell Garst
Elizabeth
Garst died in November 1996 at the Home Farm. She was almost 101 when she
died and alert and active until the end of her life. She had lived at the Home
Farm almost 80 years. It was decided to start the resort while settling her affairs. Garst Farm Resort L.L.C. was formed in April 1997
and construction started almost immediately. A major effort was to remodel the Home Farm
house, which is the headquarters for the Resort. We renovated and added bathrooms,
rewired, painted, carpeted, and reupholstered furniture. The
Grand Opening for the Home Farm Bed and Breakfast was held in October 1997.
Portrait of Elizabeth by
Louise McBroom
In
November 1997 the Hollyhock Cottage (originally the chicken house at the
Home Farm ) was remodeled and in January 1998, the Oak Ridge Farm House
was updated. In the summer and fall of 1997, grading and erosion
control work on the main 8 mile path through the resort land, and guide
signs were installed. In 1999, the 805 River Cabin was renovated,
and more campgrounds were developed. Horses and recreational
equipment have gradually been assembled. Numerous stands for bow
hunters were added in 1999 and 2000. The Woodland
Carriage House was remodelled in 2003, and improvements in our
campground have been continuous.
Contractors contributed enormously to this project:
Sonya Johnson worked as the interior
designer on the entire resort project. Sonya and her husband, a Garst Seed
Co. executive, resided in Coon Rapids several years. She helped capture a taste of
Americana, preserve the Iowa lifestyle and honor the historical significance that the farm
represents. She did a terrific job...all our accommodations are warm, cozy, and
fun...although each is quite different in style.
The Home Farm Bed and Breakfast captures the
spirit of a successful Midwestern farmhouse from the 40's. The color palette was derived
from the original wallpapers. The home is filled with treasured family furnishings and
accessories, while the presentation is inviting and comfortable.
The Hollyhock Cottage has a delightful garden feel. It was once the family
chicken coop, then was converted to a hired-hand's residence, most recently it served as a
useful garden shed. It now embodies decorative details from all of these past lives.
The Oak Ridge Farmhouse is furnished as a simple lodge
retreat with lots of pine, oak and trophies from family hunting expeditions throughout the
area. It is filled with strong color combinations and is bright and surprising.
In late 2004, the Garst Family announced the formation of a new
non-profit, Whiterock Conservancy.
In 2007 the Garst Farm Resort was donated to the Whiterock Conservancy
and is now called the Whiterock Resort.
