Marybeth Kostrikin Realtor

07/21/2025

06/11/2025

Where Does the Acre Come From?

Ever wonder where the acre, so familiar in fields and land deeds, actually comes from?

Well the answer lies in the soil of medieval England.

Back in the Middle Ages, land measurement wasn’t about numbers on a map, it was about hard graft.... and rather them than me!

An acre was defined as the amount of land one man could plough in a single day using a team of eight oxen.

Simple, practical, and rooted in the rhythm of the working countryside.

But over time, what began as a rough rule of thumb (more on that phrase another day) became standardised.

One acre came to equal 43,560 square feet, or about 4,047 square metres. Not just a random figure, it was based on a long, narrow strip of land: one furlong (660 feet) long, and one chain (66 feet) wide.....got that?

Why that shape?

Well, picture a man walking behind a heavy plough, turning the soil in long, straight lines. Fewer turns meant less time and less effort.

The term "furlong" itself comes from “furrow long”, the length of a furrow ploughed before needing to turn.

It all made practical sense.... sort of!

Of course, as with most things in medieval life, land measurements weren’t just about farming. They played a role in taxation, too, because if land could be measured, it could be taxed.

Naturally.

So the acre, born from the furrowed earth and sweat of medieval farmers, became not just a measure of toil, but a unit that would shape economies, borders, and history itself.

Now after all of that I'm going for a lay down!

02/23/2025

Would love to show this to a buyer!

01/29/2025

Whether selling or staying put, most homeowners could benefit from a little decluttering. Share our guide with your clients to help them begin their decluttering journey! https://bit.ly/3EbvoZh

12/05/2024

10/07/2024

08/07/2024

Read how a 10-year study by a team of University of Idaho scientists reveals that cattle grazing has little influence on sage grouse nests or their food sources.

06/04/2024

This is one to see if you are looking for a home east of Salem

06/03/2024

Nice for staging

06/03/2024

This feels so calming

Moroccan Elegant Entrance 🤎

04/12/2024

https://youtu.be/SfIvzlfqPqg?feature=shared
Where my puppy has been playing ☺️

The dogs of Pets Love 2 Play Training center having fun!!!