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The Richardson Farm was homesteaded in 1840 by Robert Richardson who emigrated from England. The farm has grown over the years to include 450 acres and 2 farmsteads. In addition to the traditional crops of corn and soy beans, we are growing over 50,000 Christmas trees, and have a large cornfield maze for you to visit during the summer.
Three generations of the Richardson family own and work on the farm. Margaret and Owen have three other children and 11 grandchildren who come on busy weekends to help during the corn maze and Christmas seasons (Back from left to right - George Richardson (owner), Ryan Richardson, Andy Richardson, Robert Richardson (owner); front from left to right – Wendy Kelly Richardson, Margaret Richardson & Owen Richardson (owners), Carol Richardson, Jean Richardson). We hope you enjoy your visit to our farm. Look around and have a good time.
Our first Christmas trees were planted in 1982, and we nearly quit when they quickly got lost among the weeds; but we joined the National Christmas Tree Association and the Illinois Christmas Tree Growers and learned how to control the weeds and care for the trees. We stuck with it, adding about 3000 trees per year, and more recently increasing the figure to 11,000 trees. It takes a lot of work throughout the spring and summer to make a nice tree. We spray for weeds, mow in between the rows, and trim every tree each year. It takes a lot of time, but it’s worth the effort when we greet all those happy folks who come to our farm to get a fresh, homegrown Christmas tree. What a wonderful time of year to create memories to last a lifetime!
In 2001, we decided to put in a corn maze…which ended up being the world’s largest and we still hold that title! Now, we can host more happy people during August, September and October, as well. Solving the maze is a wholesome, country adventure that you’re sure to enjoy. Every year we strive to improve and expand our entertainment offerings at our corn maze while still keeping that country feel. Our free picnic area and campfires continue to be hugely popular. The big top tent by the concession barn is a great place to eat, visit with friends and stay out of the elements. Some folks say the giant 50’ long slide is worth the price of admission alone and this year we’ve added free pedal carts and a free, huge, 50’ tall observation tower so you can see the aerial view of the corm maze and our entire farm. We are one of only a very few mazes in the country that is open late every night for a whole new twist on “corn mazing”. There’s nothing quite like finding your way through the mazes with flashlights or the light of the moon under the starry sky and after, cooking s’mores over a campfire.
See you HERE!
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