Dusty area farm named Century Farm

The Arthur and Amelia Broeckel farm is shown circa 1984 in this fly over photo. The farm last week was officially listed as a Whitman County Century Farm. Photos courtesy of Karen Broeckel.

This barn sits on the Arthur and Amelia Broeckel farm in the Dusty area. Though it is unknown exactly how old the barn is, it was already on the property when Philip Broeckel purchased it in 1914. The barn is on the Washington state historic barn registry.

Arthur and Amelia Broeckel (front) are shown with their four children, from left to right, Patty, Jeanette, Al and Karen in this undated family photo. The Broeckel’s four children inherited the family farm from their parents, and they all divided up the land. Karen Broeckel now resides in the family home on the land.

Arthur & Amelia Broeckel

Gazette Reporter

Another farm has made it into the Whitman County century farm books. The Arthur and Amelia Broeckel farm in Dusty was granted the designation by the county commissioners Dec. 19.

Philip Broeckel purchased a quarter section of land – approximately 600 acres – for his son Bill Broeckel in 1914. Karen Broeckel, a granddaughter of Philip, said Philip purchased quarter sections for his sons.

“Grandpa got them all started in farming,” said Karen.

Born in 1894, Bill Broeckel resided in the house on the land and farmed there until 1927. At that time, Philip brought another quarter section of land, this time for Arthur Broeckel, his second to youngest son. Arthur was born in 1908. Bill and Arthur decided to trade properties.

“Dad traded with Uncle Bill,” said Karen. “He (Bill) was still farming, he just didn't want to live there anymore.”

Since 1914, the farm has stayed in the family, a requirement of the century farm designation. Whitman County farms which have continuously been owned and operated by the same family for 100 years qualify for the century farm designation.

“It's stayed in the family the whole time,” said Karen, who still lives on the farm.

Arthur Broeckel died in 1983, and his wife, Amelia, born in 1910, died in 1991. Arthur and Amelia's four children all divided up the land.

The four siblings are Al Broeckel, a retired teacher who lives in Tacoma; Jeanette Nolan, retired office manager for Dr. Robert Smith, of Colfax; Karen, also a retired teacher, and Patty Wieber, a retired office manager living in Spokane.

Brian Broeckel, grandson of Bill Broeckel, does the farming now. Wheat is the main crop on the land.