Historic Arrowhead Farm in West Tisbury Is Sold to the Land Bank for $4.43 Million
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank announced Friday that it had purchased the historic farm on Indian Hill in West Tisbury.
The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank announced Friday that it had purchased the historic Arrowhead Farm on Indian Hill in West Tisbury, with a plan to preserve the iconic property as a working farm in perpetuity.
Farm has been an equestrian center with pony programs for children since the 1980s.
Farm has been an equestrian center with pony programs for children since the 1980s.
The purchase price was $4.43 million. The sellers are Robert Douglas, the well known captain of the Vineyard Haven tall ship Shenandoah, and his wife Charlene Douglas. The Douglases will retain a life estate on the property as part of the terms of sale.
The purchase was first announced by the land bank on its Facebook page Friday.
“The 33-acre property is well-known to Islanders as the scenic farm located at the curve in the road — and also as an equestrian center where many Islanders have taken lessons and learned to ride,” the announcement said.
It also said Mr. and Mrs. Douglas will retain a life estate on the farm, during which time the land bank will maintain a trail head and circumferential trail around the property for the public. The land bank also intends to create a parking area for walkers.
“At the end of the life-estate, the land bank will additionally seek to create a working farm here, via a public competition to lease the house and fields to a farmer with established skills and abilities in agriculture, natural resource management, mechanics and carpentry,” the announcement said.
Nestled at the crook of scenic Indian Hill Road, the farm contains more than 30 acres of grassy, rolling fields and woodlands that have served as an equestrian center since the 1980s. The property also contains a historic farm cottage, and a 60 by 144-foot lighted horse-riding arena, according to its website.
Roadside farm includes a barn and brook that is part of the Mill Brook river system
Roadside farm includes a barn and brook that is part of the Mill Brook river system
Mr. Douglas also owns the tall ship Shenandoah, which he recently donated to FUEL, an educational nonprofit.
Speaking by phone with the Gazette Monday, land bank executive director James Lengyel said the Douglases contacted the land bank through their lawyer in early March about selling the property. Always interested in roadside farms because of both their agricultural potential and scenic value, Mr. Lengyel said the land bank took particular note of Arrowhead.
“The third dimension here that made this property so appealing to the land bank is the prospect that is going to be able to some day lease it out to someone who will turn it into a full-scale land bank farm, with opportunities for crops and livestock and everything that one imagines a full farm to be,” he said.
The land bank paid $2.8 million upon closing the sale last week, and will pay out the remaining approximately $1.7 balance over the next four years, Mr. Lengyel said. Although the Douglases will continue to live on the property and pay taxes for the remainder of their lives, the title has already been transferred to the land bank’s name.
Dating back more than a century, the farm’s modern market-gardening era began around 1946, when Percy Burt sold the property to a Dedham man named Robert Elwell. Initially cultivating corn, lettuce and tomatoes on the fields, Mr. Elwell later expanded to peas, beans, cucumbers, squash and spinach, turning the property into a classic Island truck farm, equipped with a roadside stand, according to a 1948 Gazette article.
Arrowhead Farm changed hands multiple times before its sale to Ronald D. Silva in 1966, intializing its horse-farming era. A story in the Gazette announcing the sale described the farm’s long history.
“Though the name is comparatively recent, the farm is an ancient one, known for its natural beauty and fertility, the latter aided by the brook, a tributary of the Old Mill River, which rises in the Christiantown Hills and supplies water even in dry times,” the story said.
History as a working farm dates back for more than a century.
History as a working farm dates back for more than a century.
The Douglases have owned the property since at least the late 1980s, when Mrs. Douglas, who had a longtime interest in horses, started the equestion center. The facility has since taught thousands of Island children riding lessons, horse maintenance and dressage — a direct result of Mrs. Douglas’s influence.
Mr. Lengyel said the land bank will begin a search for a full-time farmer after the Douglases complete their life estate. The land bank does not intend to continue the equestrian center, instead focusing on the property as a working farm, he said.
The land bank currently has 12 properties that it leases for farming, including Tea Lane farm in Chilmark. Tea Lane was also purchased by the land bank as a life estate with longtime Islander and landowner Bobby Silva, who died in 2010.
Approximately 19 of the farm’s 33 acres are currently used as a working horse farm. Another five acres west of the paddocks contain a hayfield — which the land bank in the short term will use as a farm field — while the rest of the property contains the brook, woodlands and rolling hills.
“It’s the classic juxtaposition of farm fields, and woods, and brook,” Mr. Langyel said. “It’s just a very scenic place.”
The purchase marks the second large property transaction for the land bank in two months; in early September it was announced that the land bank and Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation will buy Red Gate Farm in Aquinnah. That sale is expected to close by the end of the year, with the land bank contributing $15 million to the $27 million purchase.
Mr. Lengyel’s enthusiasm for the property’s future was unbridled — horses or not.
“We’re going to be able to say to a professional farmer, what do you envision? What do you think you can create on this remarkable property?” he said. “That is truly exciting.”
Comments
Amazing news - hats of to the
wayne west tisburyAmazing news - hats of to the land bank - and thank you's from future generations to the Douglas's
33 acres. Road frontage.
Concerned Islander Vineyard Haven33 acres. Road frontage. Idyllic setting. Antique farmhouse, barn, Indoor riding ring, paddocks, fields, countless memories...Is there another property on the market to compare? Even with the life estate, the agreement still saddens my heart. Maybe because I will ALWAYS see Arrowhead as their HOME! Charlene, I hope you live to 100 and Bob is STILL snoring by your side! xo
What great news to keep this
VH Villager Vineyard HavenWhat great news to keep this historic WT property safe from development. So happy the Douglas’ are doing the right thing. First order of business for the new operator...get a new barn manager! The current situation is unfortunately corrupt. We need to provide these young equestrians with a more safe and positive environment to grow in their craft. I hope once the Land Bank gets in there they will discover the issues and correct them. This property can become a true asset to the young equestrian community on the island if they can find qualified, positive management. Until then, parents beware before you send your children there.
Just fabulous
Brien Martha’s VineyardJust fabulous
A great year for conservation in Martha’s Vineyard
Thanks for preserving another
Ginny Jones WTThanks for preserving another very special farm for the future -- both for island kids (of all ages) learning to ride and/or work with animals, and as a future location for a farmer who could raise food.
This will also preserve a very special roadside vista and a location which might also be used for a farm stand (the building remains from the days when the Elwell family followed by the Silva family farmed there). There are wetlands which will be conserved and wildlife corridors leading into other Land Bank and conservation properties along the North Road and over towards Middle Road, etc.
Thanks to all concerned, and especially to the Douglas family who are selling the land for islanders to use and enjoy (forever) at a fraction of its real value. In this scenario everyone is a winner.
Bravo to all involved.
John Williams West TisburyBravo to all involved. Another example of how our precious island has been spared from unbridled development that stains much of the east coast. Thank you
Correct me if I’m wrong but
J. Graham MVCorrect me if I’m wrong but does the life estate part of the deal mean that they retain the right to use their property until their death while not paying property taxes?
I believe that, unless there
Daryl Amaral OHI believe that, unless there was a separate agreement, a life estate means that they may enjoy the property as their own as long as they are living and choose to do so. Someone with a life estate would generally still be responsible for their taxes.
A weird reaction -- a multi
T Bone Oak BluffsA weird reaction -- a multi-million dollar gift is given to future generations and you worry about taxes?
The 11th paragraph says they
Stephens Oak BluffsThe 11th paragraph says they will pay taxes throughout their tenancy.
Read the article.
Katherine Scott Tisbury and Lambert's CoveRead the article.
"Although the Douglases will continue to live on the property and pay taxes for the remainder of their lives, the title has already been transferred to the land bank’s name."
@@ Many of the still living---not even ancient!---well remember Arrowhead Farm and its shop.
@@ Very glad to see this farmland and its surround saved. It is a giant step toward preserving the beauty of tucked-away Indian Hill Road.
Many thanks to Bob and Charlene for their planning and foresight, making this land available to the public and future generations, for a very reasonable price, it seems to me. @@
Spending some time recently roaming scenic areas of Southeastern Mass has brought home to me once again how crucially important it is for the Island to preserve the viewsheds of its winding roads. Off-Island, in Dartmouth and other towns, so many lovely areas have been compromised by unattractive subdivisions and other building that stick out like sore thumbs and destroy the coherence of old landscapes. @@ These could easily have been shielded from the road and the viewshed at least somewhat preserved, if anyone had bothered to think about it. The unhappy result is the uglification of lovely rural landscapes and old farms. @@ Summary: We are very fortunate here not only to have our "official" conservation areas of beauty but also *not* to have to flee to a conservation area in order to escape the uglified environment and experience the natural beauty and historic charms of the Vineyard.
As the article details,
Megan Weeks BostonAs the article details, "Although the Douglases will continue to live on the property and pay taxes for the remainder of their lives, the title has already been transferred to the land bank’s name."
Another example of the many
Mark EdgartownAnother example of the many benefits of the land bank, preservation is critical to our island.
Please elaborate on what is
Sandy EdgartownPlease elaborate on what is farmed on this property? Will the MVLB look to preserve it as a private equestrian facility or raise enough livestock and crops to be self sustaining? What is the financial feasibility of raising cattle or crops? Is the market there for such a remote farm stand in the future?
Read the article . . .
A readerRead the article . . .
Article was updated after
Sandy EdgartownArticle was updated after comments posted. Thanks for the info, Gazette!
Bravo to the Douglas family.
Brett West TisburyBravo to the Douglas family. A lifetime committed to enriching this island community.
Land bank should always be
Maureen Regan Edgartown and NYCLand bank should always be commended for their wonderful work and foresight but in one of the worst years in history they made two of the most amazing acquisitions. Bravo!
Congratulations on this
Kate Eastern Shore VirginiaCongratulations on this amazing acquisition of farm land. Bravo to the Douglas family & the Land Bank for making it possible that this special farm will be for agricultural use for many generations. A lifetime of commitment to their community and this special island.
Some folks have mentioned
Kristine OBSome folks have mentioned continuing to ride at the farm... I think the article states that this piece of their business may (sadly) be going away. I wonder if this will start immediately? Or, perhaps during their life estate years, Charlene will continue to operate the horse farm and riding.
Here is the paragraph where I got this info:
Mr. Lengyel said the land bank will begin a search for a full-time farmer after the Douglases complete their life estate. The land bank does not intend to continue the equestrian center, instead focusing on the property as a working farm, he said.
There are indeed many very
Michael OBThere are indeed many very special people living in this magical place.
Thank you thank you thank you.
Since we live San Diego, I no
Ann Ferguson Platt Walker La Jolla, CASince we live San Diego, I no longer follow the Gazette regularly, but yesterday I was alerted (by an Indian Hill Road friend from a half century ago) to your Oct 24th article about the sale of Arrowhead Farm to the Land Bank. I am thrilled that the Farm will continue to live on in this way, since it has been a very special place for our family since 1952. That was the year that my grandfather, Clements Ferguson, and his wife, Mildred, purchased Arrowhead from Bob Elwell. They owned and farmed it until 1965, when they sold it to Ron Silva. During these years, the farm’s stand was open throughout the summer months, selling all manner of vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers—not just on site but to select Vineyard restaurants. Each summer Arrowhead employed a number of young Vineyarders and a succession of college-age offspring of summer residents, who worked in its fields or at the stand.
My parents, sister and I spent as much of the summers there as we could, coming from Rochester, NY until 1956, and subsequently from Claremont, CA. As a kid, I spent endless hours building dams and sand castles in the creek or trying to catch sunfish at the pond. Later on, I had chores in the herb garden or greenhouse, which housed the Fergusons’ orchids and some rare plants. There were no livestock at Arrowhead then; my sister and I did our horseback riding at Tashmoo Farm.
Indeed, the property’s history goes back to the Island’s original inhabitants. A few times a year Granddad would bring in an arrowhead that he’d turned up with the plow. And the farm and house itself goes back at least to the Civil War. We learned this when the Fergusons moved in and refurbished the dining room, discovering black paint under several layers of wallpaper. Apparently many families painted one of their common rooms completely black in mourning after Lincoln’s assassination.
During the Ferguson years, Arrowhead frequently welcomed groups of artists, birdwatchers, and photographers. We are delighted that the Douglases will continue to graciously share the Farm with others, too. It is indeed a beautiful, serene and historical place that will now be preserved for all to enjoy and treasure.
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