The History behind Village Gardens...

Village Gardens is a traditional neighborhood development planned for a 300-acre parcel extending from 56th and Pine Lake Road to 70th and Yankee Hill Road. The neighborhood is being developed on the Campbell family's land.

The Blanchard Homestead

Blanchard Boulevard, a prominent street within Village Gardens, was named to honor Chandler Blanchard, an original homesteader and land developer. Mr. Blanchard and Rebecca Woods were partners in buying land, including the site of Village Gardens, from the railroads who had originally been given extensive acres by the United States Federal Government.

Mr. Blanchard was born in Caledonia County, Vermont November 2, 1829. At the age of 21 he went to California via the Isthmus of Panama to seek gold. He remained in California for four years. At that point he returned to Vermont, married Hannah J. Stevens February 6, 1856. They had 10 children. Chandler and Hannah then moved to Illinois before coming to Nebraska. Chandler Blanchard and his family arrived in Southeastern Nebraska in late 1882, settling on section 21 Grant Precinct. His property totaled 200 acres. Charles was with the Nebraska State Journal (now the Journal-Star).

Campbell Land

Bob Campbell, son of Campbell Nursery founder Claude Campbell, bought the first 80 acres in 1960 to expand the Campbell’s nursery operation. The family acquired additional adjacent land for additional growing fields over the next 40 years

The land became not only home to Campbell’s Nursery and its production fields, but home to many of the Campbell family members as well. Three third-generation Campbells built homes on the land during the 1970s and many of the fourth generation grew up on the land. Summers of building forts, catching frogs, swimming, and fishing ran into winters of sledding, ice hockey, and cross country skiing—all on the land they collectively call home.

Cherishing those memories, and the love of the land so carefully planted and  nurtured, was the inspiration behind the concept of Village Gardens. By creating a new neighborhood themselves, rather than selling to conventional developers, the Campbells can preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the land and create a neighborhood which their family—and many others—can call home for generations to come.

 

 

Campbell’s Nursery at 56th & Pine Lake was built in 1978. It will be part of the Village Center North commercial area.

“ I fished and played around those ponds as a kid, and it really bothered me to think they might be filled in once the city grew out here. Now I’m confident they will be appreciated for generations to come.” --Doug Campbell  “Our family has always worked together--for ourselves and for Lincoln. This is another project we are pursuing that will leave a legacy for our family and for the city we all love.” --Dick Campbell  “We have always lived on that land like it was our own little village. I think it is great that we are now opening up and expanding our village for other people to enjoy.  I hope living there brings them as much joy and great memories as it did for me growing up.” --Sarah Campbell

Campbell Family
(from left to right)

Justen, Kathy, Carrie, Dick, Doug, Andy, Suzanne, David, Cassie, Lindsay, Sandy, Ann, Cory, Sarah, Mandy, Chrissy, Carol, Mike, Amy, Bob, John, Austin