The OES visited Malabar Farm on September 10, 2005. Located in Lucas, southeast of Mansfield, Malabar Farm has a rich history. In January 1939, Pulitzer prize author Louis Bromfield bought 385 acres of exhausted farmland after he decided to move back to his home county, Richland County, in Ohio after spending some time in France. He named his newly acquired land Malabar Farm, after the Malabar coast of India. The success of The Rains Came made his purchase possible. Bromfield wished to run a working farm and eventually restored the farmland using soil and water conservation techniques that later became widely used. As he continued to restore the farmlands and preserving the surrounding woodland, he built onto his white country home, transforming it into a beautiful 32-room farmhouse.
Louis loved to have family, friends and neighbors over for parties and even hosted the wedding of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall on May 21, 1945. Bromfield served as the best man. Some of the other well-known celebrities to visit the home were Shirley Temple, Erol Flynn, and James Cagney. A “Wall of Stars” filled with photos of all the celebrities who visited hangs in one of the home’s hallways. Bromfield’s manager, editor and personal friend, George Hawkins lived on the second floor of the home. George disliked country life, so his room was built to resemble his favorite Chicago hotel room. But after a long run of fun and parties, deaths and departures forced an end. George’s death was the first blow to the family and Bromfield’s career. In 1952, Bromfield’s wife Mary passed away in her bedroom. Bromfield’s daughters left home to begin lives of their own and in 1956, Louis passed away.
Bromfield willed his entire property to the State of Ohio for use as an educational farm, and in August of 1972, the state accepted the deed. The house was left exactly how Bromfield had left it right down to the papers in his desk drawers. Stepping into the home was like stepping back in time. The Malabar Farm is definitely a great place to check out for anyone, including families. Tours are available as well as campgrounds, horse trails, hiking, fishing, picnicking and many other fun activities. Bromfield’s former home is reportedly haunted. Park employees working in the home late at night have reported lights mysteriously turning on by themselves, the piano playing on its own and uneasy feelings. The Central Ohio Paranormal Society invited the OES to investigate the home on the night of our visit. For a detailed analysis of our investigation, click here. To visit the Malabar Farm’s official website, click here.
Location Information: Public Park
Malabar Farm is located at 4050 Bromfield Road in Lucas; Richland County.
Photographs: Daytime
The Malabar Farm is a working educational farm.
Look closely at the doorway to see the horse in the barn.
The original barn burned to the ground. This one built in 1993 replaced it.
Malabar Farm lettering was on the side of the barn.
This tractor was being used to pull the tour wagon.
The barn's main floor was used as an entertainment area and included a stage.
A maze of hay was in the barn's lower level.
The Malabar Farm Jeep used by Louis Bromfield.
A large work horse was eating some hay on the lower level.
Goats were in an area where children could interact with them.
A pony also resided in the barn.
A closer look at the beautiful horse previously pictured.
A couple of calves rested in the barn, away from the heat.
A pony also resided in the barn.
Pigs practiced their favorite hobby, being lazy!
This sheep's head almost got stuck between the bars.
The chicken coup was just outside of the main barn.
These curious turkeys did not know they would be on dinner plates in a few months.
Another look at the turkeys that gathered, looking for feed.
The other side of the coup contained all of the chickens.
A greenhouse was attached to one of the outbuildings.
The beautiful fields of Malabar Farm.
Future grazing lands for the farm's animals.
The smokehouse was used to preserve and flavor meat.
Known as the Big House, this was Louis Bromfield's country home.
The home's middle section was the original house. Bromfield built the additional wings.
A stone stairway led to the main entrance of the home.
A look at the entire front portion of the Big House.
The former garage of the home was transformed to a gift shop and served as the current entrance to the home.
A sidewalk on the back side of the house.
The large chimney for the fireplace in the entertainment room.
A look at the back of the original house.
A look at the Bromfield's home from across the pond.
A magnificent garden was on the far side of the home.
Another look at the house from the garden.
One last look at the gardens before heading inside.
Most of the Big House's basement was used for storage.
This meeting room area was used as the base for our paranormal investigation.
A look at the basement's fireplace and doorway to the outside.
What seemed to be the furnace that heated the home.
The amazing staircase in the house's main foyer.
A look at the foyer staircase from the top of the stairs.
This grand piano was said to play on its own at times.
The music room's record player piped music throughout the home.
The magnificent dining room table where guests would eat buffet style.
This table was used for the Bogarts' wedding cake.
A small sitting room, just off of the main foyer, frequented by Mrs. Bromfield.
The room had a few chairs, some books and an old television.
The main living room and entertainment area where parties often took place.
These green sofas served as seating for top celebrities in their prime.
Looking toward the dining room, you can see the TV set and an electric piano.
A painting of Louis Bromfield and his favorite dog.
Louis Bromfield's desk inside his room. Bromfield's Pulitzer prise is on the left.
A reproduction of Mr. Bromfield's bed, constructed exactly how it appeared.
This was Mrs. Bromfield's room and was where she passed away in 1952.
The marble fireplace of Mrs. Bromfield's room and a nice sitting area.
The bathroom between Mr. and Mrs. Bromfield's bedrooms.
This was the back hallway where a ghostly cat was felt.
The other side of the back hallway was used for park offices.
This area was used for mostly storage for the park.
Footsteps were also heard in this back hall during the investigation.
This was Anne's bedroom. She was one of Bromfield's daughters.
This chair almost looked as if someone were sitting in it.
The doorway that led from Anne's room to the back hallway.
Many people have felt uneasy in Anne's bedroom. Some people even refuse to enter it.
This yellow bedroom served as the bedroom for another one of Bromfield's daughters.
A creepy-looking mirror was in the corner of the room.
Yet another bedroom for a Bromfield daughter. This one had odd drawings.
All three bedrooms had a mirror, including this one.
This was George Hawkins' room, built to remember his favorite hotel room.
George had a rather large desk to help Bromfield's work.
George's closet had clothing left behind after Bromfield's death.
This was George's bathroom. It used to be carpeted.
This was the room where Bogart and his bride stayed after their wedding.
The bathroom between Bogart's room and the hall. Notice the old hairdryer.
This was the master bedroom. It was to the right after going up the foyer stairs.
This old sofa was in the master bedroom.
This area served as the playroom for Bromfield's three daughters.
The hallway from George's room contained a "Wall of Stars" on the right wall.
This second floor bathroom had stairs that led to the attic.
