Old Barns.

[Larryjk]

Jack, As farming changed and the barn is not used much unless you have "hobby" horses or some other specialized use, the barns were let go to the dogs. They were not painted and the roof was let go. Then they sag and eventually crumble. Many people don't realize the value of a well cared for barn. It is a definite asset to a farmstead. So many people but farmsteads for the house as a place to live in the country, and can't see the economic benefit of taking care of the other buildings. I am a hobby man and would have my barn busy as heck with all of the things I would have going on if I had a building that big.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

My great Aunt's farm (where I use to do most of my deer hunting) was a "centenial farm" (owned by the same family for 100 years or more). The original house burned down in the 30's or 40's, and my Uncle rebuilt about a half mile up the road.....but the original barn stood until it burned down in the late 80s. It was used for storing extra straw/hay and farm implements (wagons, hay rakes, ect). The new barn was used for dairy operations and hay storage.
As kids we used to play in that newer barn.....my Uncle put a rope 'swing' from the main beam over the door. I also helped them at milking time by putting grain and hay in the mangers and removing what became of it from the trough behind them... As a 'city' kid, I didn't realize I was doing 'work'; I found it to be 'fun'.

While the new barn had some nail construction, the larger beams were put together with either tenon and groove or peg construction. A lot of older barns were dismantled in the area (Northern Michigan) back in the late 70's/early 80's......the farmers were being paid top dollar for the wood, which was used as decoration in bars, basement rec rooms, ect. The larger beams were used in the construction of cottages, summer homes, ect for their "charm".

The only 'modern' building my Uncle had on his place were two steel grain storage units.....even the hen house and corn cribs were made of aged wood, which gave the farm a 'touch of class'.

Thanks for the memories, Adam.....good luck with your farm. Does anyone in your area have a 'round' barn? I've seen pictures, but never had the pleasure of being inside one to look around.