Welcome to the Cottage at Unity farm. This is an extraordinary place, filled with wildlife, restored prairie, surrounded by National forest, and private access to the Saint Croix River. There are abundant walking / skiing trails that wind through the woods. This a delightful 3 bedroom, two bathroom cottage with a wood stove warming you in the winter, or dining al fresco in the summers after a hike down to the river. Welcome to Unity Farm, where you will be staying either at the ROOST, the COOP or the COTTAGE. The coop is where chickens and pheasants were raised, with the cottage being the old granary, before it current restoration. Until 1965 the town of Franconia was the last paddleboat stop on the St. Croix River, and the Franconia train platform and Taylor Falls Airport were located at the junction of Unity avenue and Highway 8. This was an active Farm for the last 85 years for two families and several generations. The landscape has been restored to prairie, which provides a natural animal sanctuary harkening back to the days before America was colonized. Unity farm is an extraordinary place, filled with wildlife, native flowers, and abundance of trees and forest, and private access to the St. Croix River. It is a place that offers peace and serenity, and surrounded by national forest property. There is a pond in the yard with occasional great blue herons, ducks and many turtles. On the property there are tennis courts, children’s swings and climbing bars, walking paths that lead through the woods and down to the river. (There is a small beach on the river at the end of the trail, but be advised that it drops off quickly, and the current is strong!) There is even a baseball field….you know, “build it and they will come!” The landscape is glorious any time of the year, whether it is cross country skiing around the big field in the winter or hiking to the river for a swim in the summer. We have restored 80 acres of land into natural prairie, which offers a variety of wild flowers throughout the spring and summer, and ends in the fall with tall blue stem grasses. We have three cottages that we offer for rent. One is called “ the cottage”, and it is a two/three bedroom farmhouse with two bathrooms and a small kitchen. The downstairs has a small living room, with an adjoining bedroom with a queen size bed. The bathroom has a shower etc. The upstairs floor has four single beds, with a partial room divider between the rooms. The bathroom has an old fashioned tub etc. For cold nights in the winter, there is a wood stove downstairs, and for the rest of the year, there is a small front porch, and a few steps away is a large deck with a dining table and chairs. The other cottage is called “ the coop”, and this farmhouse has a full kitchen, a downstairs bathroom with a shower, and a larger living room with a large TV if so desired. Upstairs there is a queen size bed. This cottage has an outdoor deck that overlooks the big field, and backs into the woods. The third is "the Roost", it is a luxurious one bedroom rental with 1/2 bath surrounded by the woods and prairie. The walking trails are marked clearly, whether you are on snowshoes or skis, or going for a walk through the woods or to the river. Please respect the private property signs and the DNR signs, there is rare flora and fauna in areas, and we want to preserve our natural resources. You will find the woods magical, you might want to pack a picnic lunch and sit on the bridge that goes over Lawrence Creek – there are two for you to choose from! Our neighbors live and work here throughout the year, please be courteous and pay attention to the areas that are designated for your use. We are less than an hour outside of the cities, we invite you to come and experience this incredible environment. Enjoy your stay, sign the guestbook if you please, and leave only footprints and memories. Private access code provided for the gate at this property. Guests will access the cottage by a lockbox code at the door. Designated guest Parking at the Cottage. Visit nearby Taylors falls for spectacular views, hiking, canoeing and Kayaking. Franconia sculpture park is right around the corner. Many wonderful coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, wineries, and breweries to explore. Local bike trails, hiking trails and cross country skiing. Full kitchen available in basement if needed. Kitchenette in the cottage. Aveda shampoo, conditioner, and cream rinse provided. Coffee and tea provided. Firewood is provided for the wood stove. Many sculptures are scattered throughout the property. Tennis courts and baseball diamond. Pottery studio available for by appointment shopping.