Once English colonists settled this land, it was home to only four families: Boade, Symonds, Clark, and Lord. Here is an abbreviated list of key historical events leading up to the dedication of the Wells Reserve&

1641: Henry Boade family moves to the site.

1653: King's Highway is established past Boades house to the mouth of the Little River.

1655: Boade sells the property to the Symonds brothers. William Symonds becomes sole owner by the end of 1657.

1677: King Philip's War. Symonds family flees to nearby garrison. Indians burn the farmhouse to the ground.

1717: Nathaniel Clark family builds a new farmhouse and occupies the farm for several generations.

1881: George C. Lord, president of Boston & Maine Railroad, purchases the farm.

1888: Lord builds the "Elms" Railroad Station (currently a book store on U.S. Route 1).

1892: George's son, Robert, purchases purebred Guernseys and establishes the farm's herd.

1893: George C. Lord dies; Robert assumes proprietorship of the farm.

1902: Horse and cow barns destroyed by fire. Rebuilt by 1904.

1908: Robert Lord dies; brother Charles replaces him and adds poultry to the farm.

1914: George C. Lord II, son of Charles, begins managing farm.

1929: "Laudholm Manor Farms & Cottages" begins taking in summer boarders.

1952: Guernsey herd is auctioned off.

1953: Laudholm Farm hosts the Wells 300th Birthday celebration.

1968: George C. Lord II sells 199 acres to the State of Maine for a state park.

1977: George C. Lord II dies.

1978: Effort to save the farm begins.

1982: Laudholm Farm Trust is established.

1986: Wells Reserve is dedicated.