This aerial view shows the Groninger Farm from the west. The barn is in the lower left of the photo. The Port Royal (later Tuscarora Valley) High School building is visible in the upper right and Town Lane extends diagonally from the right edge of the photo toward the high school.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/8/13 - Image Year: 1913
Two large farms existed inside the town bounderies of Port Royal. One was commonly known as the Moyer Farm. The second was the Groninger Farm. This second farm was located in the western section of the town between Eighth Street and the Tuscarora Creek.
Although eventually annexed by the Port Royal Borough, most of the Groninger Farm was originally situated in Milford Township.
The Groninger Farm gets its name from Jacob Groninger, son of Leonard Groninger and Barbara May. Jacob's son Leonard Groninger was the next owner. Leonard was followed by Robert Elliott Groninger. It was while Robert E. owned the farm that lots were sold off along the extension of Main Street, more commonly known as Town Lane. Eventually subsequent owners developed lots on the Milford Street Extension and Ninth Street.
One of the family's more prominent members, Robert's son General Homer Groninger built a large house on the former farm property when he retired and returned to the town after World War II. (His house was located at the northwest corner of Milford and 8th Streets.)
The former Tuscarora Valley Elementary School building is also located on former farm property. (After the closure of the school, the building and adjoining property was purchased by the Juniata County Agricultural Society as an addition to the Fair Grounds.
For a number of years the farm's large barn (with Gambrel Roof) was a prominent fixture sitting behind the Point Service Station.
During the middle of the twentieth century the farm was operated by Guy and Nellie (Weimer) Gilson. (Unsure whether they owned, or leased, the property.)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/8/13 - Image Year: 1913
The Groninger Farm Barn under construction June 1913. The barn is of Swiss architecture and when completed would be three stories high. It covers a floor space of 55 x 80 feet. The boss carpenters were Albert Sarver and James Stake. The concrete work was in charge of William Dolby. (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 4/19/22 - Image Year: 1913
BARN RAISING - Constructing the large Swiss Style Barn on the Groninger Farm.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/8/13 - Image Year: 1930
SWISS STYLE BARN: The large Groninger Barn is clearly visible on the left behind the Point Service Station. (Photo submitted by Wayne Yaylor
Contributed by ray on 3/8/13 - Image Year: 1950
BARN and FARM HOUSE: A view from across 8th Street. (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/8/13 - Image Year: 1924
TOWN LANE: Robert Elliott Groninger's lot plan for building properties along Town Lane. Someone has written names in some of the lots. The GRONINGER name at the right of the diagram is for R. Elliott's son Stoey Groninger. The LONG name toward the middle is for Mert Long, a town barber. The ROBINSON name across from the LONG name is for Robert A. Robinson and the two KOHLER names on each side of the road are for Warren M. Kohler.
