Centennial Farms

History of Centennial Farms Centennial Farms has been in operation for 187 years and has been owned by our family since 1854. The farm was established by Leonard Harold, a settler from Virginia, who purchased over 300 acres of government land along the Missouri River in St. Charles county. President James Monroe signed the document granting him the land. Harold grew tobacco and other crops on his farm, but because there was good access to the Missouri River from his property he realized it would be a good place for a town. He laid out the first streets and lots of the town of Mount Pleasant, later to be renamed Augusta, on part of his farm in 1836. In 1854 the farm was sold to Christian Knoernschild who had recently come from Bavaria. He made several additions to Augusta and continued to raise grain, livestock, and grapes on the remaining farm land. A flood changed the course of the Missouri River in the late 1800's. Although, Augusta no longer had a boat landing, the town now owned several hundred acres of river bottom land. An additional 100 acres was added to the Knoernschild farm. Bob Knoernschild represents the fourth generation to operate the farm. Bob and his wife, Ellen, planted the first orchards and vineyards in 1967, and today, there are over 1000 apple trees, 400 peach trees, vineyards, berry, and vegetable plantings on the 75 acre farm. The farm was designated a Centennial Farm during the American Bicentennial Celebration, in 1976. This program recognized farms which had been operated by the same family for over 100 years. Today, Bob and Ellen's daughter, Christina, and her family also live on what was part of the farm. Three grandsons, Shane, Joseph, and Gabriel, represent the sixth generation to live on the farm.