Bethany Farm

Waltus Lockett Watkins was born near Versailles, Kentucky on October 30, 1806. When he turned 18, he was sent to live with his uncle, a successful textile mill owner, and was trained as a weaver and machinist. In 1830, Waltus relocated to Liberty, Mo. in order to be near the bustling western frontier. There, he purchased wool carding machines and his business began to prosper.

While visiting his mother in 1834, Waltus married fellow Kentuckian Mary Ann Holloway. Upon returning to Liberty, they began their family with the birth of a son, John. John was soon followed by George Spencer and Alfred. At this time, Waltus sold his mill and relocated his family to an 80-acre farm 16 miles north of Liberty, which he named Bethany.

With the deaths of both John and Alfred, the first year at the farm was difficult. However, Mary Ann soon gave birth to a daughter a son, John Handy, and then to a daughter, Kate, who was followed by six other siblings. By 1850, Bethany had grown to nearly 1,300 acres. With the success of its livestock, crops and orchards, Waltus constructed a brick kiln, a gristmill, a saw mill, a new family home and a woolen mill. During this time, Waltus assisted in the establishment of a community school, the Franklin Academy, and in In 1871 the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist church. Watkins continued to increase his landholding over the years and by 1880 he owned 3,660 acres in Clay and Ray counties. In 1884, Waltus died and the property was divided among his sons, who continued with its daily operations for many years.

The property exchanged hands until 1964, when it became a state historic site and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966. In 1981, Missouri voters approved a bond that provided funding for the improvement of state buildings that included the restoration of Watkins Mill and its neighboring structures. A Visitor's Center and Museum was added in 1991.