THE JONES' FAMILY FARM

By:  Scott Jones, owner/operator Grandpa Jones' Corn Maze & Pumpkins

    The land that Grandpa Jones' Corn Maze & Pumpkins occupies is part of the Jones' farm that dates back to the time before 1832 when the Whites and Indians both worked side by side.  The Cherokee Indians were a peaceful people.  The Jones family acquired this farm after the 1832 land lottery.  This property has been farmed ever since.

       A grist mill was started by Captain J.B. Tanner close to the Jones property in the late 1800's.  He was unloading a millstone from the railroad when it fell on him, crippling him for life.  The Jones family purchased the land and the grist mill.  Bud, Bob, Bill, and Mart Jones rebuilt and refurbished the mill.  Bob and Bill worked for the Tennessee Copper Company where they made from scratch the gears and other workings to get the mill going.  People visiting our farm will still see remnants of this old mill from our hayride.  We hope to one day build a grist mill on our property that reflects that old mill.  A water wheel has already been purchased for that project.

       In 1950 my grandpa Bob Jones was killed on a tractor on the road next to our farm.  I call our business Grandpa Jones' Corn Maze & Pumpkins as a tribute to him.  He farmed this land, and if it had not been for him we would have probably never been able to own the property that we call home today.  We are giving credit where credit is due.  Many ask us where we got the name and if I'm "Grandpa."  No, I'm not "Grandpa", and in fact me and my wife Jewell have no children.

       My dad was Warren "Barney" Jones.  He was on the Board of Directors and President of the Limestone Valley Soil and Water Conservation District.  He oversaw the government funds to construct and maintain flood control dams in several counties including Gilmer, Murray, Whitfield, Pickens, and Cherokee counties.  One of those dams is located on this Jones property.  These dams have prevented floods that would have destroyed most of our small towns and farmland.  Dad was also a vegetable farmer, poultry producer, and farmed cattle, corn, and timber.

       In 1979 my dad died while I was in high school.  I took over the farm work along with my mom, Bluma Lee Jones who helped me to get started in the farming business.  I went to college for two years while commuting and taking care of the farm.  Eventually I came to farm full time just like my ancestors.  I'm currently involved in poultry, hay, vegetables, and timber harvesting.  Our poultry is currently put on hold to allow us time to enjoy the corn maze this season.

       Timber has been a large part of the Jones farm.  Selective cutting methods over the years have proved to conserve resources and the environment.  On our long hayrides people can see giant hemlocks that are becoming endangered in this area.  Most hemlocks in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park are dead from a hemlock beetle.  We hope that our ecosystems are sufficient that we do not get this beetle in our area, it could be devastating.  If the beetles got into our hemlocks it could take more than 150 years to replace them, if then.  During the month of September we will offer a long extended nature hayride that will involve some hiking to show the hemlocks and the flood control dam for groups of 10 or more. 

       I have a sister Carol and brother-in-law Wayne Garland that farm part of the Jones farm today.  There are other cousins that are still holding on to their part of the Jones family property while working other jobs.  Another sister, Pat, and brother in law David Stewart are a huge help during corn maze season.  They are with us every weekend to help us take care of our visitors.  They make their home in Canton, GA. 

       Grandpa Jones' Corn Maze & Pumpkins is operated by our family and friends.  We hope that you'll get out of the house sometime this fall to experience the Jones' Farm.  The maze design changes from year to year, the look of the buildings may change from year to year, the hayride route may change from time to time, and the pumpkins may move to another field, but we hope that the Jones family will always be able to operate this farm and bring to Gilmer and the surrounding area the sense of family and community that will take us from fall to fall never changing.  COME SEE US!