Agriculture has long been a significant part of West Bridgewater’s history. In 1865, there were 145 farms with extensive strawberry cultivation throughout the 1870s. Although the number of farms declined to 95 in 1880, it soon would rise again with the decline of the industrial base at the end of the nineteenth century.
The first Anderson to settle in West Bridgewater was Gustaf Adolf Anderson who had been born in Bjorketorp, Sweden and come to America in his youth. Locally he was known as a teamster and farmer. He purchased only six acres of the Benjamin Howard estate which included Howard’s large barn. Anderson built the Arts and Crafts house at 201 Howard Street in 1911 and there raised his family including son, Howard Anderson, who established the Anderson Dairy Farm in 1941 on the six acres of the Howard Street residence. In 1952, Howard Anderson purchased the adjacent 30-acre farm fronting on River Street overlooking the meandering Town River, including the old house and two barns.
The gambrel section of the dairy barn, which probably was built at about the same time as the ca. 1920s Colonial Revival dwelling, was part of Anderson’s 1952 purchase. He started with three or four cows and eventually, with the help of his two sons, Richard and Howard, Jr. increased to a herd of about 45 cows, mostly Holsteins because of their high productivity. In 1961, Howard Anderson, Sr. and his wife donated the Rev. James Keith House and the land on which it rests to the Old Bridgewater Historical Society. The restoration and furnishing of the dwelling was carried out in the 1970s. Now it houses the very active Old Bridgewater Historical Society.
Anderson improved the property as the dairy business grew. As the farm grew and farming practices changed, the Andersons acquired additional acreage of farm land for hay and corn and also added buildings to the farm complex.
As reported by Gretchen G. Schuler for PAL, Inc. in December 2002.
Photo & Excerpt from MACRIS.net
