Welcome to the historical photo gallery, a collection of photos taken from the archives with many never seen before photos. These vintage photos capture the unique Life, Legend and history of Louis Bromfield’s family, friends and farm life in his rural Ohio farm, Malabar Farm. We hope you enjoy viewing this collection and stop by to see new additions as they are discovered. Click over photos for information about each photo.
Photo Gallery
* Click on any image to learn more, Photo Credits Ohio Department of Natural Resources *
Bromfield, in his book “Pleasant Valley”, recounts a version of the Ceely Rose story. It is real-life murder mystery that took place right here in Richland County, Ohio. In 1896, Ceely Rose poisoned her entire family. Her motive…her parents scolded her for harassing a neighbor’s son, whom Ceely had a crush on.
The Rose family lived in a small farmhouse next to the Berry house along Swtizer’s Creek, which later became Malabar Farm . The Rose family lived and operated the Schrack Mill along Switzer’s Creek. The old farmhouse still exists today and is open during special events and part of haunted history tours offered by the park each year.
Bromfield, in his book “Pleasant Valley”, recounts a version of the Ceely Rose story. It is real-life murder mystery that took place right here in Richland County, Ohio. In 1896, Ceely Rose poisoned her entire family. Her motive…her parents scolded her for harassing a neighbor’s son, whom Ceely had a crush on.
The Rose family lived in a small farmhouse next to the Berry house along Swtizer’s Creek, which later became Malabar Farm . The Rose family lived and operated the Schrack Mill along Switzer’s Creek. The old farmhouse still exists today and is open during special events and part of haunted history tours offered by the park each year.
Louis Bromfield’s good friend and business manager, George Hawkins, was famous for the pranks he would play on visiting guests. Hawkins loved to shock the ladies visiting the farm after their church services on Sunday, sometimes having a bathing suit on and plopping down right in the middle of them to create an uncomfortable and challenging situation for the ladies who had come to hear Bromfield speak. He also livened things up with sudden, unplanned plays and skits.
George was a big New York city boy, and it took Louie several attempts, and some unique steps, to encourage him to move into the sprawling 32-room Big House at the remote Malabar Farm in little Lucas,Ohio.The upstairs bedroom/office was designed after George’s city hotel room at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City, and to make him comfortable in the country, wooden shutters were installed to block out the country view.
Even Bromfield himself painted the New York City skyline, framed it, and hung it on the wall over George’s bed. This way George could dream of his city life back in New York City. On one of the hallway walls leading to George’s bedroom hangs the photos dozens of Hollywood actors and actresses that were friends of George or those for whom he served as their business manager as well.
Louis Bromfield’s good friend and business manager, George Hawkins, was famous for the pranks he would play on visiting guests. Hawkins loved to shock the ladies visiting the farm after their church services on Sunday, sometimes having a bathing suit on and plopping down right in the middle of them to create an uncomfortable and challenging situation for the ladies who had come to hear Bromfield speak. He also livened things up with sudden, unplanned plays and skits.
George was a big New York city boy, and it took Louie several attempts, and some unique steps, to encourage him to move into the sprawling 32-room Big House at the remote Malabar Farm in little Lucas,Ohio.The upstairs bedroom/office was designed after George’s city hotel room at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City, and to make him comfortable in the country, wooden shutters were installed to block out the country view.
Even Bromfield himself painted the New York City skyline, framed it, and hung it on the wall over George’s bed. This way George could dream of his city life back in New York City. On one of the hallway walls leading to George’s bedroom hangs the photos dozens of Hollywood actors and actresses that were friends of George or those for whom he served as their business manager as well.
Jim and Georgia Pugh were good friends of Louis and Mary Bromfield. They held many social parties together, either at the cabin or at the Big House at Malabar Farm. Louis Bromfield mentions Jim Pugh in his book Pleasant Valley.
Jim Pugh built the upper cabin as a year round weekend retreat in 1938. In 1948, their son Bob married Marnie Wadsworth of Mansfield, and their daughter Betty married Duane Berry of Lucas. In that same year Jim added the kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom, basement and enclosed side porch to the original cabin. The side porch included a built-in-bar and a fireplace. It was at this time the cabin became the permanent home of Jim and Georgia Pugh.
The cabin logs were decommissioned pine electric poles. Jim was given these poles from Ohio Public Service and proceeded to shave off the outside weathered wood with the aid of a hand held draw knife. The poles were then coated with varnish to preserve them. Jim, his son Bob Pugh, and friends used ropes, cables,and pulleys strung from trees to set the logs in place.
Jim Pugh died in 1974. In 1977 State of Ohio representatives came to Georgia Pugh and offered to buy the cabins. A deal was reached, and the cabins became part of Malabar Farm State Park in 1977. After the sale of the cabins to the State, Georgia Pugh moved to Mansfield where she lived until her death in 1989. The Pugh cabin was featured in the opening scene of the movie Shawshank Redemption and is used during special events and programs throughout the year.
Bromfield was well known for his pet boxer dogs. Wherever Bromfield went, his boxer dogs were with him. Some of their names were Prince, Baby, Smoky and Folly. Bromfield loved his dogs, and pets were always a part of the daily life at Malabar Farm.
Bromfield gave the newlyweds Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall a boxer puppy as a wedding gift. The main portrait hanging on the living room of the Big House wall features Bromfield with his beloved boxer Prince. When you tour the home you can see many scratches on the doors and wooden floors from the dogs.
