HISTORY OF HIMMEL-VALLEY

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

This farm can be traced back to current owner, Dale Himmelberger's great-great-great-great-great grandfather, John Miller, who purchased the land in 1783 for 800 pounds.

That's right! This farm has been passed down through the family for over 236 years!

This family-owned farm traces further back than 236 years. When Bryon and Phyllis Himmelberger (Dale's parents) were awarded the Century Farm plaque in 1990, Barb Grumbine researched the history of the farm for the awards program and found deeds dating all the way back to 1747 to Joseph Buckwalter. Buckwalter purchased the land from William Penn's Sons, Thomas and Richard Penn for 26 pounds, 3 shillings and 9 pence that year.

IT'S A FAMILY THING

In an article written in the Lancaster Farming in December of 1990, the research showed the lineage as follows:

Jon Miller's son, also named John Miller, took over the farm and sold it to his son, Abram Miller.
Abram has twin sons and after he dies the twins, John and Henry, split the farm.
John's daughter, Alice, married John Himmelberger and they purchased the farm. They have 5 children and eldest son, Amos and his wife, Beulah, purchase the farm in 1944.
Amos and Beulah have 3 daughters and a son, Bryon. Bryon and his wife, Phyllis, purchased the farm in 1969 from his mother's estate.
Byron and Phyllis had 3 sons and Dale was next to take over the farm.
Currently, Dale and his wife, Kynel, and their 4 boys run this family-owned dairy operation.

The Future of Himmel-Valley

So what does the future hold for Himmel-Valley? As for now, the Himmelberger family plans to keep running this family-owned business as is and hopes that it will continue to grow and prosper. Although the future is to be determined, we can only hope that this farm can stay in the family and be passed down like many generations before. Dale and Kynel Himmelberger and the Himmelberger boys are working towards a quality herd and working to improve milk production at Himmel-Valley.