One of the best parts about taking a road trip in the heart of the Midwest is seeing the beautiful barns along the roadsides. I’m starting a series of barn posts over the next few months. For our first offering, I’ve worked with Gary K., a member of the Iowa Barn Foundation, and his daughter Megan to bring you some barn photos from a part of the state that I haven’t visited in years. Thank you Gary and Megan for all of your work!
Number 1: Newport, Iowa 4 miles North of Mediapolis on Highway 61. Built in 1912, this one-of-a-kind 1,000-bushel corncrib constructed with hollow tile from the Newport Tile Factory
Number 2: Pepsi Barn on Highway 61, two miles north of Burlington. It has a Pepsi-Cola old time sign on it. This barn was built in 1920’s and features a dove loft where they once raised doves for Sunday dinner. It is the only one in the area with a form of advertisement on it.
Number 3: Located mile west of Oakville Iowa on Highway 99. It belongs to the Bob B. family. It’s unique because it is a tall, narrow barn.
Number 4: Belongs to Dale B. located 6 miles south of Mediapolis on Highway 61. It is over 100 years old and features a 44 foot long x 14 inch one piece beam. Dale is the Des Moines County Representative for the Iowa Barn Foundation.
Number 5: Sears Catalog Barn from 1928. Located just outside of Kingston, Iowa- just off highway 99. It belongs to Bill W. and the materials costs $928 in 1928. He has the original receipts kept.
Number 6: Located 3 miles north of Burlington on highway 61. It belongs to Jeff D. and it was built in 1903.
Number 7: This barn located in West Burlington, Iowa belongs to Claire B. It features a milk-house cooling room underneath the ramp that goes up to the second-story.
Gary K. is a barn enthusiast and our guest contributor today. Gary grew up in the rural Mediapolis, Iowa area (Des Moines County) and still resides here today with his wife and two children. Farming was a major part of his life and enjoys the aspects of early farm planting and equipment. He has been interested in old barns and collecting farm equipment and memorabilia for many years. His passion for farming led him to become a member of the Iowa Barn Foundation and founder of the Corn Collector’s Club, specializing in cloth seed corn sacks, metal signs, and hay trolleys.
Thank you for your post, Gary and Megan!
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