In this column, I am continuing to “remember” the Allentown State Hospital farm in Weaversville with Mr. John McDevitt, the former assistant manager.

In 1981, I placed my United States history book in the corner and worked with my former students Gary Krill and Bernie Cesanek on the farm, planting and harvesting during the spring and summer seasons.

Residents know John as a longtime, dedicated East Allen Township firemen.

John shared this history of the farm with me for my readers.

“A lot has changed at the Allentown State Hospital over the years. Many citizens do not recall when the ASH operated a huge farm.

“When the hospital opened in 1912, it didn’t take long for Dr. Henry Klopp, the first superintendent, to realize that the limited agricultural land around the hospital would not adequately support the anticipated food requirements of the growing patient population. At the time, the facility was very self-sufficient. Not only did the hospital produce much of its food, it generated its own DC electricity, manufactured such things as shoes and mattresses and provided housing for the staff.

“The farm buildings located to the east of the hospital provided housing for livestock such as dairy cattle, pigs and draft horses, but the facilities were inadequate. Sometime around 1919, the hospital began to acquire land around Weaversville, which is seven miles north of the hospital.

“The first farm known as the Horner Farm or Farm Colony #1 was located on Route 329. This parcel included an old stagecoach stop that was converted to house patients. Soon, several pieces of contiguous land were purchased and were known as the Deshler Farm Colony #2 and the Brown Farm - named for General Robert Brown, Revolutionary War hero who is buried in the Jane Horner cemetery off Route 329 to the rear of God’s Missionary Church.

“Soon the Dech Homestead was obtained. This is where the large, red brick dormitory and main farm complex were built around 1940. This was called Dechheim (German for Dech home) or Farm Colony #3. At present, this building is the Weaversville Intensive Treatment Unit.”

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More farm history in my next column.