In the early 1960’s, the City of Maplewood began putting
street, water and sewer improvements along Beam Avenue. Herbert needed
money to pay the assessments. He sold land along the north side of Beam
for a housing development. When William Bruentrup left the farm in
1964, Herbert sold the dairy cows but continued to farm. In 1965,
Herbert sold another 100 acres on the west side of White Bear Avenue.
This land was eventually purchased by Homart Corporation and became the
site of Maplewood Mall in 1974.
William Bruentrup offered to
sell his home site to the City of Maplewood, but the purchase would have
required a bond issue at a time when other competing interests took
precedence. Instead, a developer bought the land but not the buildings.
The Maplewood Area Historical Society expressed interest in the
buildings and the City offered 2.5 acres of the Prairie Farm Preserve on
County Road D for relocation. In 1999, a committee was formed to
attain funds for the $350,000 in moving expenses.
For 108
years, the farm on White Bear Avenue was the center of activity for the
Bruentrup family. It continues this tradition as a community site – The
Bruentrup Heritage Farm – and is now home to the Maplewood Area
Historic Society.