History:
Body Family to David & Elizabeth Goldfarb

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Five Springs
The Rhoads-Lorah Homestead
Yellow House, PA

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Indian Settlement & Swedish Settlement

German Settlers (Rhoads Family)

Body Family to David & Elizabeth Goldfarb

Body Family

The property is bought at public sale by Henry A. Body, a poultry specialist who began operating a hatchery there and raising layers. [D.B. Vol. 657, pg. 42; "Living on the Henry A. Body Farm," Prepared by John Body for Boyertown Historical Society tour of homes (June 27. 1982).]

In 1930, Henry Body rebuilds the small red brick "summer kitchen." It is a one bay two story structure and he adds a second bay made from cinder block. It is near the strongest spring on the property and the addition is built over what appears to be an old stone floor and trough springhouse and what may have been the footprint of an original log house. Body also stuccoed the entire structure. He moves into the remodeled building and begins renovations on the large stone farmhouse. He installs running water, central heat and electricity. He installs two powder rooms where a rear stair appears to have existed behind board and batten walls. He creates a "butterfly" staircase giving access from the main house to second floor rear quarters and he cuts the second floor room to add a bathroom. Henry Body marries Dorothy Dougherty on October 18, 1930, and they move into the remodeled house. ["Living on the Henry A. Body Farm," Prepared by John Body for Boyertown Historical Society tour of homes (June 27. 1982).]

In 1945 Body purchases the farm across the road at public auction, once again joining the ownership of the two farms as they had been in the 18th and early 19th Century. He also builds a stone three-car garage behind the main house. In 1953 he divides the large "farm kitchen" into a small kitchen, an office and a hall. In 1963 the rear porch is removed and a larger enclosed porch is added which is used by Mrs. Body for an office. On May 9, 1981, Henry Body dies. Interests in the property are divided among Dorothy Body and the Body children. Joseph Body, who is a surveyor, subdivides the property and portions are sold for development. Dorothy Body continues to live in the main house until her death in 1999, when the farm now consisting of 11.486 acres is sold to Carter and Sarah Reese.

David & Elizabeth Goldfarb

Carter and Sarah Reese hold it as an investment property until October 2002 when it is sold to David and Liz Goldfarb.

Like Henry Body in 1930, the Goldfarb's use the "summer kitchen / guest house" while the main house is restored. In the main house, they turn the enclosed porch into a kitchen so that the "farm kitchen" can be restored. The original doors to the walk-in fireplace are found and put back in place. A second full bathroom is added on the second floor. In 2004 remodeling began on the guesthouse. Not enough is known or remains of this house for a restoration. Also, the bank barn has been stabilized and some restoration work done.

Five Springs was listed on The National Register of Historic Places as the Rhoads-Lorah House and Barn on March 29, 2007.

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This document maintained by David Goldfarb.