Indigo Farms

About Us:

Indigo Farms is a family farm that goes back six generations on this land. Besides being a Century Farm it has some rather interesting history of it's own. The Bellamy family has it's roots in this area since John Bellamy settled in 1766. Dr. Bellamy who built and owned the Bellamy Mansion in Wilmington was a decendant of our family tree. The history of the farm is tied to many happenings only a few miles from the farm. The Boundary House in Calabash was used by Issac Marion ( brother to Francis ) and was a place where the "swamp fox " was no stranger. His men under Captain Greene waited in this area before engaging orders.

The Indigo Branch or Run ( stream ) has a history that also is intriquing. It is one of the shortest routes between the Waccamaw River and the Atlantic Ocean. Native Americans traveled waterways like we travel highways today. The run was a pathway that enabled them to travel many miles down the river and get to this area only a very short distance from the ocean. The run moves water toward the Waccamaw River not into the ocean. With recent discoveries of Native American settlements at the beach it is only logical that the run was a much traveled route. Several times people have entertained digging the run into a waterway that would handle the likes of modern pleasure boats.

The name of the farm comes from the run. It is documented that indigo was one of the crops grown right in this area. After the decline of indigo porduction by the colonies, indigo was commonly grown for personal use. Mr. Ben Thompkins used to grow it in the early 20th century. For more history of indigo we encourage you to come to Farm Heritage Day ( the first Saturday in October) to not only learn more but see the dye being used. We grow the plants here on the farm.