Goodell Gardens & Homestead

Layton Goodell settled in Edinboro in 1832. He was a farmer, blacksmith, property owner and town burgess. He had six children with his wife, Mary.

One of those children was George Goodell, who was born in 1842. George bought his brother’s dry-goods store and converted it to a grocery store, which he operated until approximately 1912. In 1875, he purchased the farm that became known as the Goodell Farm. He and his wife, Nancy, had three children: Ned, Todd and Maude.
Todd was born in 1875, graduated from Edinboro Normal School and was a teacher for 12 years. He was also known for his horsemanship.

In 1907, Todd married Ella Parsons, and together they had five children. Carrie was born in 1908, Margaret in 1910, and they also had three sons that died soon after birth.

Todd farmed the property that is today known as Goodell Gardens & Homestead until 1954.

He and Ella began planting flowers and shrubs adjacent to the main house, which is now used as the welcome center, in the 1920s, and instilled their appreciation for horticulture in their daughters.
For more information about Carrie and Margaret, click here.