Hollywood seems so far from Ohio, but for a pair of movie stars who wanted to escape the limelight of Los Angeles, Mansfield became the perfect location to wed and escape the paparazzi.
I began my visit to Malabar Farm State Park at the home of Louis Bromfield, standing on the front porch of the farmhouse. I looked out onto the open land and could see stately maple trees and endless rolling hills. It was a beautiful sunny day for a tour of the house followed with a wagon ride around the property.
Walking across the threshold, I was surprised to hear the theme of the Mickey Mouse Club playing on the grand piano where a small crowd had gathered.
The grand entrance of the home included beautifully restored wooden floors and elegant wallpaper. Original Audobon prints were displayed on the walls as well as artwork from friends and family.
I imagined Mrs. Bromfeld preparing for her day as she checked her daily planner or making calls on her rotary phone to confirm an appointment. Would she have planned a lunch date with her girlfriends, booked her weekly facial or scheduled a fitting for a gown before a special event? I couldn’t help but allow my mind to wander about the endless possibilities.
While the home was in great condition, there was evidence of wear and tear as displayed in the downstairs’ half bathroom. The floors were stained and the walls could have used a little upgrade.
The artwork was unique in each room with a variety of paintings. One of my most memorable moments was gazing into several beautiful farmland photos by artist Grandma Moses, who took up painting in her late 70s.
In 1896, Louis Bromfield was born in Mansfield, graduating high school in 1914. He attended Cornell University to study agriculture and after one semester, returned home, Helping his grandfather with the farm, Bromfield became injured and put his education on hold. 
A year later, Bromfield returned to college at Columbia University to study journalism. As WWI began, he learned that there was a shortage of ambulance drivers and decided to join the military. It was here that he met, Walt Disney, Ernest Hemingway, Ray Crock and Gertrude falling in love with the French countryside.
Bromfield returned to the United States after the war and lived with his sister, a pianist living in New York City. While here, he became a Broadway critic in his early 20s and wrote for the entertainment section of the New York Times.
Often drinking at the local bar, it was here that Louis met Humphrey Bogart. Ironically, Louis had just recently given Bogart a bad review of his play, suggesting Humphrey give up acting. Despite the negative press, they somehow became great friends.
In 1921, Louis married Mary Appleton Wood, a rich socialite whose father owned Appleton Publishing Company. Honeymooning in Paris, they returned to Mansfield and built their beautiful property. Mary wasn’t thrilled to live at Malabar Farms and made it clear that she stayed because of her love for her husband.
The Bromfields had three children, Anne, Hope and Ellen. Their photos were displayed on the mantle of the fireplace located in the guest room. Hope and Ellen would go on to marry and have lives of their own living in Montana and Brazil, respectively. Anne had never married and lived with her father until his death.
Thirteen of Bromfield’s forty books were best sellers and based on his experiences on the farm. Some of his most recognized works include The Green Bay Tree, Lost Generation and Autumn Wind.
In addition to writing books, Louis was also a screen writer as well as a member of New York’s “Cafe Society.” His income was an impressive $2500 per week.
In 1938, Walt Disney employed Louis to write the screenplay for the story of Ferdinand and to supervise its animation. Based on the popular children’s book from 1936, I was surprised to learn that the production was considered a short film, lasting under eight minutes. Cells of the animated works were presented to Bromfield’s daughters and are on display at Malabar Farm.
Bromfield was known for his love of dogs, especially boxers, where at one time he had eighty of them on the farm.
Louis Bromfield’s novel, “The Rains Came” became a movie in 1938. An aspiring actress from the 1930s and 40s, Myrna Loy, starred in the film which is based on the story of a British aristocrat who moves to India with her husband. She meets a gentleman and befriends him but becomes enamored with a surgeon who doesn’t take much notice of her.
Years later, Louis would receive a call from Humphrey Bogart that would transform the farm into a wedding chapel for two of America’s most beloved stars. It was here, in 1945, where Humphrey wed Lauren Bacall despite their 25-year age difference. The decision to marry at Malabar was to escape the paparazzi and press of Hollywood. They arrived in Mansfield under police escort as they immediately applied for their marriage license at the courthouse. The wedding ceremony took place that day in the presence of their beloved friends and they departed for Hollywood the next day.
The Bromfields decorated their living room similar to their space in Paris. Because they loved to entertain their guests, they temporarily removed furniture to make way for social events. The mirrored wall is covered with 48 stars of the 1939 American flag.
One of my favorite spaces in the house was the large dining room with its elegant chandelier and casual sunroom. On the white table, there were several wedding photos and a copy of their marriage certificate on display.
Exiting the kitchen, we were invited to board a tractor pulled hayride. Ready to explore the rolling hills and the surrounding tall trees, we passed by the family cemetery, a large pond, the Bromfield barn and the Malabar Farm Restaurant.
The hayride dropped us off at the barn and I was excited to see several animals boarded here. The rambunctious baby goats chased each other within the enclosure. I couldn’t help but stay to watch them play for awhile before deciding to have lunch at the nearby Malabar Farm Restaurant.
Bromfield led a colorful life before returning back to his native home of Ohio. Malabar Farms, the 32-room mansion standing in the midst of 600 acres of farmland in Pleasant Valley, was once the home of Pulitzer Prize-winning Louis Bromfield and the setting of a Hollywood wedding.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Malabar Farms State Park? Did you tour the Louis Bromfield home? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Malabar Farms and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Malabar Farms State Park
4050 Bromfield Road
Lucas, OH 44843
Telephone: 419 892 2784
Malabar Farm House – The guided tour of the Bromfield family house lasts 75 to 90 minutes and is not recommended for small children
- Admission Fee: $6 per adult, $5.40 for seniors, $4 for youth and no charge for children 5 and under
- Hours: April: Sat – Sun at 11AM and 2PM most weekends. Call ahead. Memorial Day through Labor Day: Sunday to Thursday: 11AM & 2PM, Friday and Saturday: 11AM, 2PM and 4:30PM; Labor Day through October 31st: Tuesday through Sunday 11AM and 2PM; November and December: 11AM and 2PM; November – December: Saturday through Sunday: 11AM and 2PM most weekends. Call ahead. No tours on December 24th, 25th and 31st; Closed January through March.
- Tips for Your Visit: Call ahead of time for tour dates and times.
Where to Stay:
Landoll’s Mohican Castle
561 Township Road 3352
Loudonville, OH 44842
Telephone: 419 994 3427
Where to Eat:
Malabar Farm Restaurant
3645 Pleasant Valley Road
Lucas, OH 44843
Telephone: 419 938 5205
This restaurant has amazing farm-to-table menu items. Try the Maytag Bleu Filet Mignon.
What to Read:
- Pleasant Valley, by Louis Bromfield
- The Farm, by Louis Bromfield
An Authentic Audubon Print
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