UPDATE TO THIS ARTICLE 02-05-14
I can’t believe my eyes…wedged in an old dog book I have had packed away from the 1930’s still wrapped in paper and tape…. was this photo. The Far East Kennels
up close and personal!!! The caption reads “1929 Far East Kennels. Mr and Mrs. J.T. Hartwell at Mr. Zifferer’s Famous Far East Kennels at Columbia, PA., during their recent visit to America. Inside the railing is Mrs. Farrington.”
NOTE: More research shows Mr. and Mrs.Farrington were the kennel managers at Far East Kennels…Kang Shi is the Hartwell’s famous kennel in England)
It was faded and torn so I did some restoration work on this beauty
AND YET MORE AMAZING DISCOVERIES- READ THE 7 PAGE ARTICLE FROM 1927
VIEW PDF AT ABOUT 200% FOR BEST READING- ARTICLE DONATED TO THE ARCHIVES BY MARY COUNIHAN
I have inserted all the images from the article below so you can study the details easily
CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE – TEMPLE OF THE CHOWS 1927 ARTICLE PDF
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CLICK ON GALLERY THUMBNAILS TO ENLARGE BIG AND BEAUTIFUL
ADDED 5-15-17
CIRCA 1925 – In my continuing research on the beautiful Chinese themed “Far East” Kennels, I discovered this rare photo of Mrs Zifferer. She is returning from Europe with a new addition to the kennel. There are many ads in the period newspapers for their “rare” white chows.
UPDATE JANUARY 25, 2018
ABOVE DATED FEBRUARY 1930, FAR EAST KENNELS IS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. I HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR A DATE FOR SOME TIME
Hi Sandra, as usual….excellent work on this article. You think that we may find this day a kennel as beautiful as this one some where on earth ? I don’t think so…
Thank you so much Helene!! Wouldn’t that be amazing to see such a Chow kennel in person? I wonder when the structure was taken down and why? A good question for June!!
Wonder information on the Far East Kennels. I remember the fare East kennels when it became an Inn. I have Dinner there menu times. What a beautiful building. I cried when Gernnell removed it for a parking Lot.
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Hello Arlene, It is so nice to hear your recollections of the Kennels and the Inn. I don’t have any record of when it became the Inn. Would you happen to have an approximate date? I know Lothar Zifferer built a separate Inn and restaurant but not on the kennel property.
Although I grew up in Columbia, I never really understood why my parents referred to The Far East Inn as The Kennels. I saw the Inn many times and actually ate there once, but there was no Kennel at that time, just a mysterious restaurant. I wish Columbia could have used this landmark in some way.
Wow Jim , that is very interesting information and I would love to track down when the kennel became the Inn. How cool that your parents referred to it as The Kennels!! It was quite the landmark and I hear from the grandson that they did save some of the architectural pagodas for the family. I hope to get photos some day! Thank you so much for stopping by to comment -Sandra
You might want to check the Columbia Historical
Preservation Society. I did see a few pictures
of the the Far East Kennels in their collection.
Haha!
This pet crate is very sturdy and well made. Our older dog is basically using it as an indoor doghouse right now. She LOVES having her own space and her soft bed inside. We are able to zip it closed when we need her to stay contained, which is rare…but is still a great option. Also, the size chart is a great help and true to size from what I can tell. I went up a size for her just so she could have extra room. I looked at several of these wanting a quality product. I believe I found it!
Best,
Masselvik
Lovely photograph of Joe and Maud Hartwell visiting the Far East kennels. They were my great uncle/aunt, though I only met them a couple of times when I was young. Joe was a leading breeder of Chows in the UK.
Talk about MAKE MY DAY John! Thank you so much for letting me know about your great uncle and aunt. I have stacks of information on them in my archives that I have not posted yet. They were indeed some of the most respected breeders in England and sent to America some of their best as well. THe breed is absolutely indebted to them for some amazing foundation stock. It is so nice to meet you and if you ever find any family photos pertaining to the chows, I would love to see them. Sandra Miller, ChowTales curator
Hi Sandra, I’m glad to have made your day! I don’t have much information on Joe and Maud but I’m going to share this with their grandaughter who is very keen on Hartwell family history.
My cousin, John sent me your article. I’m Joe Hartwell’s granddaughter & I live in Chipping Campden where Joe was born. He started his working life as a house boy at Campden House, second seat of the Earl’s of Gainsborough.
He later travelled to China, Japan & Hong Kong with his employer, General Villiers Hatton where his interest in chows was nurtured. Joe at one time had a gun shop in Curzon Street, Mayfair & is where I believe that he started breeding chows. He later moved to his famous Knolley’s Road Kennels & sold a chow to the Queen Mother’s grandmother.
I am a granddaughter of Joseph Hartwell and cousin of John Hinks. I would be most interested in any information you have on Hartwell chows.
Thank you so much for contacting me Tess. It is wonderful to meet you! I have many articles about the Hartwells in my archives that I need to scan. When I do I will for sure let you know when they are posted. Do you happen to have any family photos of the Hartwell kennels or chows? Thank you for the wonderful background information. ~Sanrda Miller
I have some pictures of Hartwell chows but would need to email them to you. I had tried emailing them to you but obviously not received. Tess