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David Houdeshell as the original settler of this farm. in 1860, his property was worth more than $5,000- a sizable mount for that time. This ground barn was likely built in the 1860s, along with a twin barn that is no longer standing. By 1870, David Houdeshell's property was worth more than $20,000, and included the beautiful farmhouse that still stands on the property today. The farm was passed down to Manuel Houseshell in 1883 after David opened a hardware store in the village of Arlington. The property sold to John Rettig in 1888. It remained in the Retting family for nearly 100 years.The barn is a true English ground barn is design, a common style in the Midwest but fairly uncommon for Hancock County. The barn is primarily hand-hewn, with sawn scantlings (smaller braces). It is not unusual for Civil War era barns in this part of the country to exhibit smaller pieces of sawn lumber, as multiple saw mills were accessible in this township by the 1840s. The gable-roof structure was designed to store hay, with canted queen posts and an early wooden hay track that is still intact.The original barn measured 40'x 60'. The original frame gives the impression of being very heavy and substantial. This large, hewn material speaks to the age of the barn. As the time of its construction, there were still many large hardwood, old-growth trees in the area. As time went on, and trees of large dimensions became harder to find, lumber sizes diminished slightly. In later hewn barns, one might even observe some bark, or "wane" on the larger pieces of lumber, indicating that the craftsmen were using the very last of the larger pieces and every last bit that they could! The trees would have been felled in winter, hewed in the spring, and the barn would have been raised by July, before the harvest.

Considered to be a true English ground barn, the design of this structure is somewhat uncommon for this part of the country. The barn was built in the early 1860s by David Houdeshell. It is mostly hand-hewn with some smaller sawn braces and a wooden hay track. Originally, the barn had a bull pen and dairy stalls with stanchions and wooden head gates. The farm passed from the Houdeshell family to the Retting family in 1888, and remained in the Retting family for nearly 100 years until it was purchased by William and Angela Bateson in 1987. The Bateson's added the livestock shed and have adapted the barn to function for their beef operation. 

Houdeshell-Retting-Bateson barn

The historic barns on the 2017 Barn Tour.

2017 Barn Tour

David Houdeshell as the original settler of this farm. in 1860, his property was worth more than $5,000- a sizable mount for that time. This ground barn was likely built in the 1860s, along with a twin barn that is no longer standing. By 1870, David Houdeshell's property was worth more than $20,000, and included the beautiful farmhouse that still stands on the property today. The farm was passed down to Manuel Houseshell in 1883 after David opened a hardware store in the village of Arlington. The property sold to John Rettig in 1888. It remained in the Retting family for nearly 100 years. The barn is a true English ground barn is design, a common style in the Midwest but fairly uncommon for Hancock County. The barn is primarily hand-hewn, with sawn scantlings (smaller braces). It is not unusual for Civil War era barns in this part of the country to exhibit smaller pieces of sawn lumber, as multiple saw mills were accessible in this township by the 1840s. The gable-roof structure was designed to store hay, with canted queen posts and an early wooden hay track that is still intact. The original barn measured 40'x 60'. The original frame gives the impression of being very heavy and substantial. This large, hewn material speaks to the age of the barn. As the time of its construction, there were still many large hardwood, old-growth trees in the area. As time went on, and trees of large dimensions became harder to find, lumber sizes diminished slightly. In later hewn barns, one might even observe some bark, or "wane" on the larger pieces of lumber, indicating that the craftsmen were using the very last of the larger pieces and every last bit that they could! The trees would have been felled in winter, hewed in the spring, and the barn would have been raised by July, before the harvest.

Napoleon Martz purchased this property from the State of Ohio in 1834. Martz was one of the earliest settlers in the township, coming to northwest Ohio from Virginia. The property stayed in the Martz family for nearly 100 years, until it was sold to Andy and Emeline Pifer in 1930. it has remained in the Pifer family since that time. Leanne Bateson, grand-daughter of Andy and Emeline Pifer, has owned the farm since 1997. This ground barn was built by the Martz family sometime in the 1870s. It was originally located on the south side of the nearby catalpa grove and was later moved to its current location. Another bent was added to the west side of the barn when it was moved. This addition is mostly sawn lumber, while the original frame is primarily hewn. The barn was built for hay storage, with a steep gable roof and vertical queen posts. However, there is no straining tie holding the bents together, which is unusual for a frame with vertical queen posts. There are several clues that have helped to date this barn. Many of the hewn pieces have bark, or "wane" visible, indicating that the craftsman were using some of the last of the large, old-growth trees and every bit of them! The higher pitched gable roof and vertical queen posts indicate that the craftsman were employing different methods to attempt to create more space for hay storage. However, the barn is likely earlier than the 1880s, when many barns in the country started using slate roofs and the prevailing roofline became the gambrel roof to provide even more hay storage than the high pitched gable. As an example, the barn adjacent to this ground barn likely dates to the early 20th century. It has a gambrel roof and, while the frame still employs traditional timber framing techniques, it is entirely sawn. A rare wooden har track is still visible at the ridge-line from the interior of the barn. The livestock shed was added in the 1990s. Today, the barn is still used to house livestock and store farming equipment. The Bateson family has worked diligently to maintain this historic barn and to keep it functional for their farming needs. Leanne Bateson, who grew up on this farm, is proud to preserve this reminder of her family history.

This farm has been in Leanne Bateson's family since her grandparents, Andy and Emeline Pifer, purchased it in 1930. The land was originally settled by Napoleon Martz in 1834. The barn was build by the Martz family sometime in the early 1870s. It was originally located on the south side of the nearby catalpa grove. When it was moved to its current location, another bent was added to the west side. The addition is mostly sawn while the original frame is primarily hewn. (c. 1870s).

Martz-Pifer-Bateson Barn 

J eff and Pam Pepple are the owners of this state-designated Sesquicentennial Farm, meaning it has been in continuous operation by the same family for at least 150 years. It was originally purchased in 1848 by Pam’s great-great-grandfather, Anthony Glick. The main barn likely dates to the 1850s or 1860s and is primarily hand-hewn with circular- sawn scantlings (small braces). It is particularly well-built, indicated by several examples of double bracing, like the double headers above the doors, and intricate joinery, like the half-lapped scarf joint.  Of particular note is the decorative “brag post” in the center of the barn that was more elaborately carved with chamfered edges. This ground barn was designed with a double-drive bay, so that a team of horses could pull a wagon inside one set of doors and turn around this center post exiting out the other doors without the farmer having to back them up. While this center post served some purpose, it was made decorative simply as a way for the barn builder to “brag” about his talents and for the farmer to show some of his wealth. These decorative posts are fairly uncommon across the state, however several of them have been noted in this specific area of Hancock County, suggesting the same skilled craftsman may have built many of the barns in the region.  This barn was designed primarily for hay storage, with canted queen posts. The metal hay track and original wood shake shingles are still visible from the interior of the barn. The presence of wooden shingles commonly suggests the barn was built prior to the 1880s, when slate shingles became far more prevalent in the state.  At one time (date unknown), another barn frame was moved from across the road and added to the rear. Family legend says that the barn was moved with just one horse! It is interesting to note that the rear addition appears to have been built from much “knottier” wood, evidenced by the many visible broad axe marks. This wood took craftsman more effort and more swings to hew.  The Pepple barn also displays a unique barn tradition on the exterior with its painted arches over the barn doors. This tradition seems to be of German origin and is often seen in primarily German settled parts of the Midwest, including western Ohio. The painted arches are sometimes referred to as “Devil doors”. It is a kind of hex sign that is said to ward off the Devil and evil spirits. The Devil is supposed to believe that the arch is part of the door, which is also outlined in paint. Thinking the door is larger than it really is, he bangs his head on the arch when he tries to enter!  Today, the Pepple family maintains this beautiful historic barn for storage and to house livestock.

Jeff and Pam Pepple are the owners of this state-designated Sesquicentennial Farm that has been in Pam's family since 1848 when it was purchased by her great-great-grandfather, Anthony Glick. The main barn likely dates to the 1850s or '60s and is primarily hand-hewn with circular-sawn scantlings (small braces). It is particularly well-built, with double bracing and decorative posts. At one time, another barn was moved from across the road (family legend claims with just one horse!) and added to the rear. (c. 1850s-'60s).

Glick-Pepple Barn

This truly unique barn documents the evolution of this family farm. The Neff barn was originally built as a raised, forebay barn (frequently referred to as a bank barn) sometime around the 1860s. The farm was settled by Peter and Catherine Neff and remained in the Neff family as a general dairy farm. Originally, the barn had a cantilevered section out the back (a trademark of the forebay style barn) and a double drive bay design. A farmer could pull a team of horses in one set of doors, circle around a center post, and exit out the other set of doors without having to back up. Other examples of double drive bay barns in this part of the county often have decorative center posts (like the Glick-Pepple Barn on this year’s tour).  Sometime in the early 20th century, this barn underwent a massive transformation! The bank was removed and the raised barn was lowered to the ground, while an addition was built onto the back. Evidence of this change can be seen throughout the barn, particularly over the barn doors, where both the original hewn header and the newer sawn header are both visible. The original barn floor was removed for the alterations and then re-laid, which is why both cut and round nails can be seen in the main floor. Today, you can see where the original floor joists sat in the raised barn. During this transformation, the decorative center post was removed, likely to make room for larger equipment. Iron cabling was used in its place to support the barn structure. The decorative post was cut in half and reused in the addition. The remnants of this intricately chamfered post can be seen today hiding in the basement of the barn!  Both the metal hay track and the original wood shake shingles are visible from the interior of theoriginal barn. The addition is all sawn wood, while the majority of the original barn is hand- hewn. Dennis and Denise Russell purchased the farm from Marvin Neff and his siblings in 1988. They have done a superb job of maintaining and preserving the barn, protecting it from water damage (the #1 enemy of old barns!) with a sound roof and gutter system. Today, the barn is primarily used for storage.

This truly unique barn documents an incredible evolution! The barn was originally built as a raised, forebay barn (c.1860s) and was later lowered to the ground where a large addition was built onto the rear of the structure (sometime after 1900). Evidence of this change can be seen above the doors, with the old header (hewn) and the newer header (sawn). The original decorative center post was cut down when the barn was lowered and can now be seen in the basement holding-up the floor of the addition. Loo to see if you can uncover any more signs of this surprising transformation! (c.1860s)

Neff-Russell Barn

This four-bay, English ground barn was built sometime shortly after 1855, when the farm was settled by Adam Gossman, Jr. It remained in the Gossman family until 1928, when it was purchased by Marion and Ida Bower. They owned the property until 1971, when it was transferred to their son, Carl and his wife, Ruby.  While it is still considered a ground barn, this barn is slightly raised to account for the high water table in this part of the state. It was designed with a double drive bay, so that a farmer could pull a team of horses through one door, circle around a center post, and exit out a second set of doors without having to back up. It is primarily hand-hewn, though some of the scantlings (smaller braces) are sawn. It is not uncommon for pre-Civil War and Civil War era barns in this part of the county to exhibit smaller pieces of sawn lumber, as multiple saw mills were accessible in this township by the 1840s. The addition to the south of the barn was added much later and is entirely sawn.  The Bower family made many improvements to this historic barn, including a new roof that prominently displays the family name. The original wood shake shingles and metal hay track are still visible from the interior of the barn. Stanchions can still be seen in the basement of the barn as well. Miles and Melissa vonStein purchased the property from the Bower family in 2013 and currently use the barn to house steers and for hay and straw storage. As soon as they acquired the property, they quickly set to work making many changes and improvements. They removed some of the smaller outbuildings to make room to build a new barn, while still preserving the original. The larger dimensions of this new barn accommodate the contemporary (and much larger) equipment that Miles uses for farming today. The smaller dimensions of historic barns are often a barrier to preservation for farmers that feel the old barn is no longer functional. Miles and Melissa repainted the old barn, cleaned out the hay mows, and added new feed bunks for cattle. They also preserved another smaller timber-framed barn on the property, This structure is entirely sawn and likely dates to the early 20th century. Originally this barn was used to house hogs and was outfitted with a granary. The vonSteins repainted this barn and re-cemented the floor. Today, this smaller barn is where the horse is stalled.  Miles and Melissa have been dedicated to not only maintaining these historic barns, but to keeping them functional for their modern day farming operation—the key to preserving these impressive structures.

This four-bay, English ground barn was built sometime shortly after 1855, when the farm was settled to Adam Gossman Jr. It remained in the Gossman family until 1928, when it was purchased by Marion and Ida Bower. The Bower family made many improvements to the old barn, including a new roof that prominently displays the family name. The original wood shake shingles are still visible underneath. Miles and Melissa vonStein purchased the property from the Bower family in 2013 and use the barn to house steers and for hay/straw storage. (c.1850s-1860s) 

Gossman-Bower-vonStein Barn

Peter Heldman settled this land in 1834. It was passed down to his children and acquired by his daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Louis Luneack, in 1886. Louis Luneack was a Blacksmith in Van Buren Township for 12 years before joining Peter Heldman as a business partner in a planing and saw mill. Luneack became the sole proprietor of business in 1881 and was a prominent citizen of the county. He served 14 years as township trustee before resigning to take on the position of county commissioner, to which he was elected by an overwhelming majority.  Louis and Elizabeth Luneack had six children. This farm was deeded to their daughter, Lindy, and her husband, John Schaller, in 1919. It remained in the Schaller family until 1958, when it was purchased by Marion and Ida Bower. The Bower family used this barn to milk cows until the Bower children sold the farm in 1994.  This raised German forebay barn was likely built in the 1880s by Louis Luneack. It includes both hand-hewn and sawn lumber, including 8” x 12” sawn beams. The larger dimensions of this sawn lumber indicate that this barn was built slightly later then some of the others on this year’s tour, as the local saw mills developed the ability to process larger pieces. Like many of the barns in this area, it was designed with a double drive bay, however, the barn builder was able to avoid using a center post by creating a truss system to support the center drive bay.  Both the original wood shake shingles and the metal hay track are still visible from the interior. The wood shingles almost certainly came directly from Louis Luneack’s planing and saw mill, which was a leading producer of shingles in the area. Hay would have been stacked from floor to ceiling in this barn. The substantial stone foundation and basement walls are also of note.  After the farm changed hands several times, the barn fell into disrepair. The property was offered at sheriff’s sale in 2007. Caleb and Carlie vonStein purchased the farm in May 2017 and have quickly begun efforts to stabilize and preserve the barn. In a short few months of ownership, the vonStein’s have stabilized the north gable end, replaced siding, and painted the exterior. Their plans are to replace the flooring in the basement of the barn and stabilize the west support beams. In the future, Carlie and Caleb intend to use the barn for storage and livestock.

Peter Heldman settled this land in 1834 for his daughter and son-in-law, Louis Luneack. This German forebay bank barn was built in the 1870s or ‘80s. It remained in the same family until it was purchased by Marion and Ida Bower in 1958. The large barn is built with a combination of hand-hewn and sawn lumber. The metal hay track and original wood shake shingles are visible on the interior. The substantial stone foundation and basement walls are of note. Caleb and Carlie vonStein purchased the farm this spring, and have quickly begun efforts to stabilize and preserve the barn.  (c. 1870s-'80s)


2017 Barn Tour

Houdeshell-Retting-Bateson barn

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources