History of the Estate

Chrystler’s Farm Estate originated by the name of ‘Chrystal’ which was due to the type of granite rocks seen on the mountains which glowed in the sunlight and this estate was named as ‘Chrystler’s Farm Estate’.

The Tamil name of this estate is known as ‘Palingumalai Thottam’.

Chrystler’s Farm Estate is situated in the western slope of Central Hills facing ‘Duke Nose’ and Holy ‘Sri Pada’ mountains. The estate is located on the Hatton-Talawakelle main road, just for kilometers from Hatton towards Talawakelle.

Chrystler’s Farm Factory was built in 1910 and was destroyed by fire in 1923 and was rebuilt in 1938. The First Manager of this property was Mr R N Steward’s of Scotish Origin and succeeded by Ms Charles Sandwith Cruddaz from the year 1923 to 1937. The Brokers of this estate was Ms Highland Tea Estate Company and owned by Ms Leetchman’s Company Limited.

This estate is boarded by the longest Railway Tunnel in Sri Lanka and the Train passes over the Railway Bridge built in 1990 by the British which is sixty feet height. The first Lorry was brought to this estate in 1941 and the model was a Cheverlet. The First Visiting Agent to this estate was Mr K Morfort.

At present Chrystler’s Farm Estate consist of 100% Vegetatively Propagated (VP) Tea and has recorded the Highest Yield per Hectare of 2,965 Kilos (Made Tea) in the season 1997/1998.