Westport in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Legend of the Turnips

Photographed By Steven Lubar, circa 2006

1. Legend of the Turnips Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The saga of the Macomber Turnip began on Main Road. Aiden and Elihu Macomber returned to Westport from the Philadelphia Exposition of 1876 with a prize in their pockets: exposition turnip seed. Planted in these fertile fields, the crop developed with the years and became famous from Boston to Providence. There had never been a better turnip! Westport farmers still take pride in growing their pure Bristol Whites descended from Swedish and Russian rutabagas with seed passed down from that trip to Philadelphia. The Macomber Turnip is Westport's own, a symbol of pride and a treasure of mildness and sweetness that comes from our soil.

Erected by Town of Westport.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 41° 33.26′ N, 71° 5.673′ W. Marker is in Westport, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. Marker is on Main Road, half a mile south of Allen Way, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Westport MA 02790, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rhode Island Red (approx. 1.7 miles away in Rhode Island); Col. Benjamin Church (approx. 5 miles away in Rhode Island); Holt’s Trail (approx. 7.6 miles away in Rhode Island); Fort Barton (approx. 7.6 miles away in Rhode Island); a different marker also named Fort Barton (approx. 7.7 miles away in Rhode Island); Pvt. David Lewis Gifford Memorial (approx. 8.4 miles away); Col. Lewis L. Millett Memorial (approx. 8.4 miles away); Site of the Battle of Rhode Island (approx. 9.1 miles away in Rhode Island).

Additional keywords. vegetable, farm, garden

Macomber Turnip Farms Map image. Click for full size.

From the collection of the Westport Historical Society.

2. Macomber Turnip Farms Map

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2009. This page has been viewed 3,567 times since then and 281 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 11, 2009. 2. submitted on October 15, 2009. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Confirm location. • Separate HMdb entries for other area markers. • Can you help?