Evesham Lost Neighborhood #3 - Tarnsfield Farms at Country Farms



Shortly after moving to Country Farms, it became apparent to me that there were more models of homes in the neighborhood than is typical.  I later learned that Country Farms was built by at least 3 different builders over the period of about 15 years.  What I didn't learn until last year was that one section of homes had its own name.  I debated whether this should be considered a "Lost Neighborhood" or just an unknown one, but after posting in a Country Farms Facebook group and realizing that most people were unaware, I decided to go with "Lost".

First ad for Tarnsfield Farms in January 1985

Tarnsfield Farms was first announced in January of 1985.  Scarborough, who owned much of the land in Country Farms, sold some of their plots to Tarnsfield Associates.  The new neighborhood was to be 70 single family homes on 1/4 acre lots.  There were 4 styles to choose from:
  • The Brantley, a 1,340 square foot home with New England style was priced the cheapest at $79,990.
  • The Stockton, a 1,520 square foot home all on one floor, sold for $82,990
  • The Danforth, at 1,600 square feet, sold for $87,990.
  • The Hampton, the largest of the four at 1,975 square feet, sold for $95,990.
Early ads for the community referred to the neighborhood merely as 'Tarnsfield Farms'.



Later ads called it 'Tarnsfield Farms In Evesham At Country Farms."



All models came with the option of adding a living room fireplace for $3,000, expanding the garage to a 2 car garage for $2,500 and adding a second upstairs bathroom for $2,500.

The Danforth in 1985

By October, plans were announced to expand Tarnsfield Farms to 400 homes.  In addition to the 4 styles above, 3 new styles were added:
    • A contemporary version of the Stockton for $89,990
    • The Contempto for $92,990
    • The Contemporary for $99,990

By early 1986, 17 homes were in various stages of construction and the first phase of the development was 25% sold.  "Central air, garage, brick front, sodded yards" said the sales manager, "You don't see values like this often."  

By May of 1986, however, the plan was scaled back to the original 70 homes, with 10 homes occupied and only 12 lots unsold.   Housing prices had risen dramatically in the neighborhood - in 1985, the range of prices for the 4 styles was $79,990 to $95,990.  Now the range was $91,990 to $117,500.

Ad from May 1986


By April of 1987, only three homes remained unsold and prices again had jumped!

Ad from February 1987

After this last houses were sold, the name "Tarnsfield Farms" virtually disappears from existence.  The only place you can still see it is in the Zone list from Evesham Township Public Schools.





So where is Tarnsfield Farms?  The 70 homes of Tarnsfield Farms are on Greenbrook between Country Farms Road (the 2nd one) to Fox Hill Drive (the second one), plus Fox Hill Drive, Smallwood Court and Woodthrush Court.



UPDATE: It looks like only 2/3 or so of Fox Hill Drive are Tarnsfield homes.  The 2/3 of the street closest to Elmwood Road are Tarnsfield.  The 1/3 closest to Country Farms Road are another builder. 

Continuing on Greenbrook through Tarnsfield Farms, you'll then pass Reynard's Run on your left and Hyde Park on your right.  I've always thought of  'Country Farms' as everything on and off of Greenbrook between Evesboro-Medford Road and Elmwood Road.  However, perhaps it should only be thought of as everything on and off of Greenbrook from Evesboro-Medford Road to Country Farms Road (the 2nd one).

There are a few other houses that you can be possibly considered part of Tarnsfield Farms.  When entering Country Farms from Evesboro-Medford Road, the first 4 houses on Greenbrook are the original models of Tarnsfield homes, one of each style, built in early 1985.  In addition, there are 5 homes on Maureen Court that were built by Tarnsfield in 1987.  The sales office for Country Farms was at 108 Maureen Court. The rest of the homes on Maureen Court were built in the late 70s.  Its possible there are some additional Tarnsfield homes sprinkled throughout the neighborhood, but I couldn't find any.