Master Gardener Site

• 1909: Johnson L. Walker built the house as part of a working farm, likely taking advantage of the fertile land and rural setting.
• 1925: Dr. Benjamin Ragel of Beacon Hill acquired the property, transforming it into a summer retreat. While not as grand as some of the estates along the Ipswich River, it served as a peaceful escape from city life, a common practice among affluent Bostonians at the time.
• 1950s: Rudolf Dick, head of Naumkeag Mills in Salem, purchased the property. Recognizing a business opportunity during the construction of Route 95, he established a gravel pit on the site. This dramatically altered the landscape, leaving behind ponds and water culverts.
• 2010 to Present: By 2010, nature had begun to reclaim the land. The old gravel pit roads had disappeared, and a young forest had emerged, with remnants of the past like ponds and culverts still visible. While some mature Norway spruce and arborvitae planted by Rudolf Dick remained, the majority of the property was a mix of oak, hemlock, white pine, and a diverse understory of native species.

It is on this reborn land that Rest-Stop-Ranch took root. The new owners, Mary and Karl, opened it to long-term caregivers and the people they care for. Over the years, they have worked to remove invasive species, create accessible pathways, and cultivate a diverse garden. Today guests using wheelchairs, walkers and canes reach the gardens on accessible trails. Though now reduced to 4 acres, the property boasts a remarkable variety of plant life, including lady slipper orchids, jack-in-the-pulpit, witch hazel, and over 50 varieties of trees and shrubs. The adjacent wetlands of Pie Brook add to the variety of plants and wildlife on the property.