Historical Overview

KFFL was originally set aside for an allotment to local Indian tribes (the Choctaw and Chickasaw) and was homesteaded by a Choctaw family in 1904. In 1908 they purchased an additional 32 ha.  In 1929, a windmill-run well was erected.  The depression resulted in the family suffering foreclosure and loss of the land in 1932 which was subsequently sold in 1940.  Shortly after this change in ownership, the East Criner oilfield was developed, part of which underlies the farm. The new family owning the farm built a new water well and a stone barn (still standing and used for storage) for their dairy operation.  Given the remote nature of the farm and the poor conditions of roads at that time, maintaining a dairy proved not economically feasible and the farm was sold in 1945.  These owners raised cotton, grain, peanuts and watermelons on the farm and on adjoining leased land and maintained a small dairy herd until 1968.  They also constructed a number of farm ponds with the aid of the Soil Conservation Service in the 1960s. 

Dr. Kessler purchased the farm in 1973 and leased it until 1976 for cattle grazing.  On bottomland areas of the farm, wheat and sorghum were raised for cattle grazing and cattle grazed native grasslands on the upland areas.  After 1976, approximately 12 ha of formerly tilled land were restored to native grasslands and several erosion control projects were completed.  Additions to and remodeling of the original house took place in 1974.  The original windmill powered well was repaired.  This well together with a well south of the original house and Finn Creek provide water for the house, livestock and irrigation.  The well water has high sulfate, calcium and magnesium content, however.  In 1975, a new equipment shed was constructed and in 1976, a guest cottage was built. In 1984, a small office building (500 ft2) was built.