LOVELAND, Ohio — From a passing motorist’s perspective, the farmhouse owned by Karl and Libby Walker doesn’t seem like one of Ohio’s Century Farms. But a closer inspection will show that wood purchased in 1930 was used to encase the older log cabin that actually rests on this property.

The Walker farm, on Zoar Road in Warren County, was one of 52 farms in Ohio recognized in 2011 as a Century Farm. Century Farm status is awarded to families who have owned the same farm for at least 100 consecutive years. There are 889 farms that have received the Century Farm status, a program that began in 1993.

“We were among the first farms honored as a Century Farm that first year,” Karl said. “It all started in 1798. My parents took it over in 1927 and six years later, I was born in this same house.”

The foundation of this 1803 home is still intact and in great condition. Logs beneath the old tile floor cannot be seen but do exist and rest on flat rock, with no crawlspaces.

“In the wintertime the floor cracks and gives and you can tell where the logs are located,” Karl said. “My parents moved here in 1926 and when they decided to use insulation, they used brick. It’s a very old structure and can get pretty cold inside.”

Opposite the front door and just 30 feet away is the back door. In between the two was a fireplace.

“They built the front door and back door opposite each other because our ancestors used to hitch up their horses and drag firewood in one door, drop off the firewood and take the horses out the back door,” Libby said. “The house was designed for convenience.”

Thick, 16-inch walls are a reminder that a log cabin still exists inside. The two-story structure is free from any damage from weather or even insects, but that was not always the case.

“At one time my grandparents had an aboveground cellar filled with sawdust in order to keep root crops cool, but they did away with that once the termites found a home,” Karl said.

Karl and Libby Walker used old tax documents to record the history of this farm. William and Elizabeth Lytle came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and laid claim to 50 acres in 1798. The Lytles sold the 50 acres to Richard Cunningham in 1803 for $400 and the house was erected. The Cunninghams then sold the same lot to William Coburn in 1805 for $135.

The property grew in size when David and Catherine Ertel sold adjacent land to Hugh Farquer in 1805 for $100, and in 1808 Farquer sold his property to Coburn for $152. Coburn then sold the estate to Henry Ford – not the auto tycoon – in 1873 for $5,300.

Henry and his wife, Dorcas, sold the land to brothers Ephrain and Jonathan Forman in 1874 for $4,187; the land was then at 83.74 acres. Ephrain (Karl’s great-grandfather) bought Jonathan’s share for $2,093.50 in 1877.

Collins and Anne Walker (Karl’s grandparents) resided on the homestead in 1900. Earl (their son) and Gertrude Walker resided on the farm before selling it to Karl and Libby in 1963.

“I love this farm, but it’s a lot of work,” says Karl, now 79. “Some day I’ll pass it on to my son and grandson.”

To commemorate this impressive milestone, each family received a special certificate signed by Gov. John Kasich and the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture to keep with their historic documents and pass down to future generations.

“The Century Farm Program began in 1993 as a way to pay respect or to honor these families and their homesteads,” said Cindy Shy, Century Farm Program coordinator. “It’s important for us to recognize these farms because of the major contributions they made to Ohio – economically, socially and historically.”

There are 889 farms in 85 counties registered as Century Farms. Athens, Noble and Pike are the only counties that do not yet have any. “These farms are the foundation of Ohio,” Shy said. “One thing I’ve notice over the years is the pride of ownership these people have.”

Anyone who can verify a currently-owned farm has remained in their family for at least 100 years may register. For more information, visit www.agri .ohio.gov and click on “Promotional Programs” and then “Century Farm Recognition,” or contact Shy in the Office of Communication at 614-752-9817 or cindy.shy@agri.ohio.gov