Louis Bromfield
Louis Bromfield was born in Mansfield in 1896, the son of Charles and Mary Bromfield. His father was a farmer, as was his grandfather and great-grandfather. His mother encouraged Louis to be a writer, which he became, but it kept in touch with his farming roots.
Inspired by his love of the land, Bromfield restored the rich fertility of the farmlands and preserved the beauty of the woodlands. He built a 32-room country home, where his family, friends and neighbors could share the pleasure of life on the farm.
One of Mansfield, Ohio's most famous natives, he lived at Malabar Farm near Lucas, Ohio, from 1939 until his death in 1956. Bromfield was also friends with some of the most celebrated personalities of his era and provided the location for Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall's wedding.
The farm, which he named "Malabar Farm" was to become his major work during his last 20 years. Bromfield was an early proponent of organic and self-sustaining gardening, and his farm was one of the first to ban pesticides.
