Interesting History Behind the Barn
Hope Glen Farm has over 130 years of documented history attached to its presence. The farm was originally homesteaded by William F. McIntosh, who built the barn in the late 1800’s. The gable style roof bank barn measures 35’x 60′, and was built with a limestone foundation, tongue and groove system beams, and wooden dowels. Amazingly enough, no nails were used in the original construction of the massive barn. The barn was initially used as a dairy barn, then a horse barn while a modest farm house was built. William F. McIntosh later became the first superintendent of schools in the area, a farmer that valued education.
Late 1800’s Civil Barn Built
In 1910, President Taft signed the bill to establish Glacier National Park as the country’s 10th national park. Mr. Healy was given a plumbing contract for the train depot here in St. Paul, where he met Samuel Bartlett, the architect of many of the railroad depots and Glacier National Park Lodge. Healy then commissioned Bartlett to renovate and enlarge the house.
In 1914, the farm was sold to John Healy, the owner of Healy Plumbing and Heating Company of St. Paul. Mr. Healy’s company became closely tied to the Great Northern Railroad, and as it provided the heating and plumbing for many of the train depots that were being built around the country at that time.
The farm was named Hope Glen Farm, the name of John Healy’s mother’s maiden name of Hope, and the house settles in a Glen, thus Hope Glen.
Machine Gun Kelly Visits Hope Glen Farm
Interesting fact: One morning in 1929, Mrs. Healy served breakfast to a nice gentleman in a suit. After waiting on him, he promptly insisted she take $10, which would be a large sum of money at that time. The next day, Mrs. Healy discovered that the kind man she had served was none other than the famous gangster; Machine Gun Kelly, who had been passing through after his latest bank robbery!
Fast-Forward to Today
Fast-Forward to 2000’s
Hope Glen Farm is a family-owned and operated business, and we live on the farmstead since 2001. Much of our time living here has been spent saving and lovingly restoring all of the original farm buildings. We always felt this property was God’s gift to us for a season and that we are merely the caretakers. We give Him all the Glory and thanks for any success that we may have, as this is His property, as we have dedicated it to Him, to use for His Glory. Hope Glen Farm is a special place, and we are privileged and humbled to be the stewards of it. For the first time, we are delighted to offer this beautiful historic farm for Corporate Events, Weddings, and Receptions. We believe that your event will be most memorable, enjoyable, and uniquely yours here at Historic Hope Glen Farm and Tree House.