Wildwood
In addition to purchasing the Gregory Farm and Walnut Hall in 1985, Ralph and Ruth purchased the 404 acre Patterson Farm on Curry Pike. The Patterson Farm was an excellent farm, and offered the potential to greatly expand the emerging Angus cattle business. The Patterson Farm was also the site of an 1850’s High Victorian Italianate style house named Wildwood, a local residence with a long and colorful history.
There had only been two prior owners of Wildwood, and Mrs. Patterson, the second owner, still occupied Wildwood at the time of purchase. W.W. Goddard, better known as Uncle Will Goddard of Wildwood, purchased the farm from Frank P. Kincaid in 1857. Uncle Will started the construction of Wildwood circa 1859 and completed the house circa 1861. The design of the house is credited to Uncle Will’s wife, Sarah Eliza. The Goddard family occupied the Wildwood residence until they sold the farm to Tom and Elizabeth Patterson in 1915. Ralph and Ruth thus became the third owners of Wildwood. Mrs. Patterson continued to occupy the house until 1987 until the first Anderson Circle Farm General Manager was hired. Wildwood then became both the General Farm Manager’s residence and the main office.
Wildwood was the second major historical restoration by Ralph and Ruth, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes. Since its construction prior to the Civil War, it had always been occupied, and very little had been done to alter its original character and functionality. The only changes made to the house included a small addition on the rear for bathrooms in the 1950's and the minor alteration of the tower roof due to storm damage in the 1940's. For the most part, it had been well maintained with the exception of the brick mortar joints. When purchased, English Ivy had been left to grow almost uninhibited over a majority of the facade for countless years. This growth had almost destroyed the majority of the mortar joints thus creating one of the most tedious tasks of the restoration effort.
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