The Legacy of Salmon’s View

One of our strongest pillars at Eastbrook Homes is respect. We have respect for our customers, our partners and vendors, our community, and of course the land where we choose to build. This value becomes even more of a focus when we purchase land from a family who’s poured generations of labor and love into it. This is undoubtedly the case with Salmon’s View, and the wonderful Salmon family who has tended this land since 1851. 

When choosing where to build next, of course we look for desirable locations that offer West Michigan homeowners the right balance of convenience, comfort, and that unmistakable feeling of home. But more than that, we look for land that has character, charm and that extra special “something,” which is exactly what we saw at Salmon’s View.

The People Behind the Land

For farmers, the terms “home” and “farm” are inseparable. This land bore crops and raised beef, but it also bore witness to and raised more than 11 children and multiple generations. The Salmon family’s childhood memories capture the sweet simplicity, yet sobering realities that come with growing up on a farm. 

Saturday mornings meant waking up to the alluring smell of fresh bread or hamburger buns. They knew that night they would enjoy the beef they had raised, all 11 kids around a long table biting into fresh hamburgers. They learned young that you reap what you sow. 

“We had a 2 acre garden,” the Salmon family told Eastbrook. “The kids did all of the garden weeding. All 11 of us sat at one table and had our own spot. None of the chairs matched.”

There was no going to the park; instead they made a baseball field in the lawn. They had to use a push mower for years. They shoveled the driveway by hand. Things kids today probably couldn’t imagine, the Salmon family remembers fondly. Whether they enjoyed it at the time or not, they can’t help but feel a sense of pride recalling the memories today. A life without shortcuts taught them to be resourceful, use everything they had, and that hard work is rewarded. This strong work ethic shaped who they became well into adulthood. 

“Dad talked about the barn being on the other side of the street. They had to move it board by board to the farm. They hand painted each board. There are handprints on the boards. The barn used to stand where the Grandville Elementary School now is.”

Over the years, the farmhouse became much more than a building. It became the heart of the family and the setting for generations of cherished memories. Six families would gather there to celebrate Christmas, and Uncle Frank even got married in the farmhouse.

Whether the literal handprints on the barn boards, the golden memories of holidays and weddings spent together, or the blood, sweat and tears they poured into the soil, the Salmon family left their mark on this land. The decision to sell something as cherished as this is never easy. 

The Decision to Sell

The decision to sell wasn’t easy, but over the years the farm had changed. They were no longer allowed to raise animals, and the deer eventually prevented them from growing cash crops. The Salmon family knew that maintaining the property may eventually become a financial burden for future generations, and it was the best time to sell. 

“They are farmers to their core, so it was expected but hard naturally,” the family admitted. 

When it’s time to part with something that’s such a meaningful part of who you are and where you came from, you want to know you’re leaving it in the right hands. The Salmon family approached several developers before choosing Eastbrook. But when they met with Michael and Mick at the farm, they felt reassured that their family legacy and values would live on.

“The other developers cared about the logistics, price, and wanted rentals,” they said. “Eastbrook cared enough to do things like use the repurposed barn wood in the community signage design. They wanted quality homes built. Wanted single-family homes built.”

The Salmon family feel the older generations would appreciate the neighborhood and the families living there. Ultimately, they feel at ease knowing this decision will benefit all of the grandkids and the future generations, and that would make their dad proud. 

What’s Next for Salmon’s View

We’re proud to announce this new Eastbrook Homes community will be available to prospective homebuyers in the coming months. We’ve put a lot of care into how we’ve developed these cherished grounds, honoring the families who have called it home. Sign up for the VIP list and be one of the first to tour a beautiful community defined by ample green spaces and rustic appeal. 

As promised, we’ll be offering single family homes and low-maintenance townhomes. Choose a home plan from our Hometown, Americana, or Designer Series, and then personalize your build to suit your lifestyle and bring your home dreams to life. To learn more about the historical Salmon’s View community, explore our community page.