Some South Reardan Homesteads

Introduction

This is a collection of stories about a few of the homesteads and properties south of Reardan, Washington. Most of these places are tied to a common Mahrt or Plaster heritage. Much of the information comes from family lore, old photographs, the genealogy collection left by Leah Mahrt, public records and the Internet. Most of the description of Fred Mahrt place has been adapted from stories and information in the Leah Mahrt collection. She interviewed her father William in 1978 who was a son of Fred. While I have endeavored to be accurate, some mistakes will be unintentionally included. The blame for any error is mine. I ask for help to fill in missing information, whether it be a missing fact or story about one of the included properties or stories about properties not included. I can be reached at Kirk.Carlson@att.net. It would be nice to fill out the other quarters of land and to move north of town as well.

About the author: Kirk Carlson is a great grandchild of William and Mary (Mahrt) Koeller and also of Albert and Louella Plaster. He grew up on his great great uncle Fred Mahrt’s homestead and attended school with many Mahrt, Koeller, and Robinson cousins as well as Ensor, Wegner, and Wendlandt decendants.

I hope you enjoy reading these stories.

Figure 1 Map of the area showing the owner in 1911. Places that can be expanded can be found by scrolling over selected quarters. These are identified with their original homesteader or non-railroad owner (even if long forgotten)

The quarters that can be expanded are:

• School Section (Section 16)
• Buckman Railroad Quarter (NE ¼ Section 17)
• John Mahrt Homestead Quarter (NE ¼ Section 20)
• Fred Mahrt Homestead Quarter (SW ¼ Section 20)
• Fred Mahrt Railroad Quarter (SE ¼ Section 20)
• Fred Mahrt Timber Culture Quarter (SW ¼ Section 20
• Rice Railroad Quarter (SW ¼ Section 21)
• Rice Homestead Quarter (NW ¼ Section 28)
• Franz Homestead Quarter (SE ¼ Section 28)
• Plaster Homestead Quarter (SW ¼ Section 28)
• Sprague Railroad Section (All of Section 29)
• Prince Homestead Quarter (NE ¼ Section 30)
• Rice Timber Culture Quarter (SE ¼ Section 30)
• The Bowen Railroad Quarter (NE ¼ of Section 33)