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Ever wonder how our subdivision got the name “Old Farm Lakes”? Was the
subdivision built on property where a farm once stood? Why the streets are laid
out as they are and why do the streets have the names that they do? Have you
ever wonder where the windmill came from? Was it already on the property?
Well I asked these questions of Vern Prenzler, who developed the Old Farm Lakes
subdivision. The land was purchased by Vern and his partners in 1986. The
property was part of some farm land but there was no old farm house, barns, or
windmills on the land. The land had a lot of low spots in it and some pretty
creative planning and engineering was necessary to turn it into the lovely
subdivision we have today. If you look at old aerial views of the property
before the land was developed, one can see that a small creek ran through the
middle of the property and that managing the water flow from the higher airport
property was a major consideration; therefore, the concept of lakes were
designed to do the job.
While working with some architects, Vern came across another subdivision near
Chicago named “Old Farm”. He liked this name and wanted to incorporate it in the
new rural subdivision he was developing. Vern wanted a lot of curved streets and
cul-de-sacs. He also wanted a very nice and unique main entrance into the
subdivision. Vern wanted something that really represented McLean County. He
consulted with some people at the ISU art department. The concept of using a
windmill came out of this interaction.
So the search for a windmill was undertaken. Vern came across a very large and
sturdy windmill on the old Davis farm property just east of Pipeline Road and
north of Interstate 55. The windmill was fifty feet tall! It was taken down in
one piece and cut down to a forty foot height. It was placed on dollies and at
2:00 AM started its trip down Veterans Parkway to its present site on Oakland
Avenue. The windmill was complemented by a rustic sign with the Old Farm logo
that we have replicated on the new sign erected last year.
The names of many of the streets follow the farm theme with names like Old Farm
Road, Hayloft, Harvest, Windmill, and Weathervane. The two lakes were named
Fountain and Swan Lake. The center piece of Fountain Lake is, of course, the
lighted fountain. For many years we kept two swans on big lake and therefore the
name Swan Lake. So the streets names Fountain Lake, Swan Lake, Shoreline Court,
and Blue Lake Court relate to the lakes. Streets with names like Drake, Teal,
Mallard, and Cygnet Crossing bridge the concept of farm and lakes.
So where did streets like Eddy, Joslin, Lexis, Minks, Stark, and Prenzler come
from? The Old Farm Lakes subdivision was developed over many years in sixteen
stages. Dean Eddy did a lot of the infrastructure and street construction in the
early years of the development. Dave Stark did all the infrastructure work in
the later years of the development. Roger Joslin was a major financial backer
during some tough times. Minks is Vern’s wife’s maiden name. Vern’s oldest grand
daughter’s name is Alexis but there was already a Bloomington street with that
name. Still wanting to honor his grand daughter, Vern dropped the “A” and we
have Lexis. Rachel which ties into Joslin Court was named after a second
granddaughter. The street named Prenzler is obvious. What about Cumbria? Vern
had no choice. Cumbria was an extension of an existing street in the Oakridge
subdivision.
So over a roughly ten year period the Old Farm Lakes subdivision took shape.
Vern did an outstanding job, working with many partners, architects, and
engineers to build the wonderful subdivision we all enjoy. Vern and his wife,
Doris, live in the subdivision. Vern promised Doris a new home when they were
married. She fell in love with a house being developed on Fountain Lake and that
is where Vern and Doris have lived for many years. I think it is a true
testimonial to the quality of a subdivision when the developer lives there for
as long as Vern has.
Thanks, Vern, for a job well done. We appreciate your vision and perseverance in
developing a unique and outstanding subdivision.
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