In the early 1900’s Lillian Williamson Gammon, and her husband George, decided to try their fortune on the new frontier. They left Virginia and headed west by wagon. While briefly stopped in Oklahoma they heard about some interesting land opportunities in the young state of Idaho. Thanks to the Homestead Act of 1862, they were able to settle on 80 acre parcels along the sunny slopes of southern Idaho, near the Snake River.
The top photo depicts George Gammon surrounded by sage brush on his newly acquired land. He and Lillian worked very hard to clear the property and built a simple two story house on their homestead. In the lower photo you can see Lilly in front of their home with her horse “Buttercup”. Notice our beloved windmill peaking out from behind the house, the same fan blade pictured here is currently displayed on the front of our tasting room!
n was the first family member to move to Idaho in 1909. Lillian was raised in Abingdon, Virginia and was the 3rd born and only daughter of Nancy & Archilus Williamson. Lilly married George “Eddie” Gammon and together they traveled west via wagon, looking for good farm ground. After stopping briefly in Oklahoma, they settled into the sunny slopes of southern Idaho, near the Snake River. Not only was the land good for growing but it was cheap, thanks to the Homestead Act of 1862. Lilly’s younger brother, Henry Williamson, followed shortly after upon hearing about the “superb growing ground” his sister had homesteaded. This is the oldest picture our family has of both siblings. In this picture you can also note their middle brother, Charles Williamson, who never lived in Idaho but did father Jack Williamson, our grandfather!
The Williamson Family is so proud to be celebrating a 110 years of family farming! Our family homesteaded on the sunny slopes of the Snake River Valley back in 1909. The Williamson family has always striven to be good stewards of the land and to adapt with the climate and the times. Over the next year we will share a few historical “snap shots” of life on the family farm.
