About 25 years ago, Jack and Beverly Kramer moved from their native Pennsylvania to this stunning land overlooking the Holston River.

In this case, the beauty and stories go beyond the land itself. Central to the Kramer’s property is the historic Isaac McBee home that dates to 1858, and the land around it was occupied during the Civil War by both the North and South. Renovations were complete in 2007. During the repairs, the Kramers incorporated old paving bricks into the thresholds of one of their fireplaces that Jack received from his father, who saved them around 1946 when the City of Philadelphia was switching its brick city streets to asphalt. Today, they do a new job in a historic home in East Tennessee.

Old barns, the landscape, and sweeping views of the river reflect an era of time that simply isn’t experienced often anymore. A short walk along a gravel road leads to a rocky slope. During the early spring, native wildflowers appear, signaling that warmer days are on the way. Dutchman’s breeches, yellow trout lilies, trilliums, wild blue phlox, and twinleaf are a beautiful treat – and a pocket of biodiversity this property also boasts.

This historic farm utilizes modern conservation techniques to ensure good land and water stewardship. Two underground water gravity systems provide water for the Kramers herd of black angus cattle and other livestock and supply them with plenty of water to drink. Buffers around the streams and creeks keep them from getting too close to the creek.

“I believe that most farmers believe we are here to help preserve and be caretakers of the land,” Jack explains. “We only have so much good farmland, and I would rather see it be used to grow food than grow houses. We also have a lot of historic buildings on the farm and wanted to make sure that considerations for their long-term stewardship were also included in our planning. This is a beautiful place to live. This land is unique, and too special not to protect forever.”  The conservation easement the Kramers worked with FLC to place on their property ensures that it will be here for future generations to farm.