I noticed this farm outbuilding several months ago and was stymied. I had many questions about it but the farm owners were not home and I was forty miles from where I lived so I snapped a few photos and went on my way. I have not been back to that area since.My questions about the outbuilding still linger in my mind. What was it called? What was its use? How old was it? Was it still being used by the farm family?
Structurally it was constructed of corrugated steel in an ovoid shape. . It had a metal roof, three metal roof vents, two metal doors from my angle of view, and two metal closings near the roof line. I could not see the sides or back. I find all old farm buildings fascinating as they usually have stories to tell. With time these stories disappear as the structures leave the landscape.
I hope that someone familiar with this structure makes a comment on this post to let me know what exactly it is called. I have researched online and nothing comes up that resembles it. I thought it looked like a precursor to a silo.
My photos were taken from the road.
A barn sat fairly close to this outbuilding but I failed to get a good picture of it. I thought that perhaps since this unknown outbuilding was fairly close to the barn that they were used in tandem -- like maybe a granary storing feed for cattle?
This particular outbuilding is located in the Possey area of Madison County, Kentucky.Perhaps it is a common structure in Central Kentucky??? Or elsewhere???
It certainly is interesting. Wonderful shape. Sorry I can't help with specifics. I
ReplyDeleteI know it's not right but the closest I've come to it is a gin gang. From the flues in the roof some kind of mechanised industry happened in there, maybe threshing?
ReplyDeleteThere's a list HERE. of possible suspects.
Would be good to find out ;)
Barbara!
ReplyDeleteHow very interesting! All the usual possibilities come to mind, but...nothing really comes together to define it, nail it, so to speak. Perhaps finding a search TERM is the most difficult part...maybe Google images in the vein of "granary" or corn crib structures...?
BTW, I didn't read the part in your blog where you mentioned you'd be taking time off with company coming and I got seriously worried about you last week. Repeatedly went to your blog and finally came across your note telling us that you'd be "gone" for a week. Whew. I was relieved!!
I'll be following this metal building saga! If I get a moment, I'll try out some terms when I think of some more!
Elora
Elora, I know you and your husband are farmers and are familiar with probably many types of outbuildings. It is great that you offered to search out a name for this unusual (?) outbuilding. I did search granary and just the general term, farm outbuildings. From the looks of the outbuilding I would say that it was commercially made?
ReplyDeleteYes, I did have my daughter and granddaughter in from Utah. Soon I will have another daughter and grandson visiting in July -- they're from Conn. Then my son from New Mexico will be visiting sometime in July or August -- no date set yet on his visit. None of my family lives near so it is wonderful to have them visit.
I imagine, since you are just over one state, that you're experiencing this on-going heat wave! Stay cool.
-- barbara
Jayne, I was thinking the flues in the roof could indicate the release of fermentation gases if the outbuilding was used to store some type of grain. As I type this I am thinking this might be a commercially made granary? I am hoping that someone will eventually know exactly what it is. Funny how I love to solve what certain farm buildings were used for. Thanks for your input and ideas -- barbara
ReplyDeletewillow -- thanks for the comment. I have a feeling this might be a difficult outbuilding to identify. Yes, the shape is unusual and that is what first caught my eye. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteThe building is fascinating and I haven't a clue but think the suppositions above about a granary make sense. What caught my eye is the round metal thing at the side that looks like a ladder bent into a circle. What could it have been for? And did it have something to do with the outbuilding?
ReplyDeleteMy husband thinks probably a granary -- a fancy corn crib.
ReplyDeleteVicki -- I am leaning toward the granary use. Hopefully if I ever get down that road again, where it was located, the farm folks will be home -- then I might know the true answer plus hopefully a few stories connected with it.
ReplyDeleteJune, You have an analytical eye. I have seen the ladder type equipment around farms before. I believe they are a modern addition to farming. Their use -- ? --barbara
ReplyDeleteI thought it a grainary also but it looks to wide to be that. Very interesting. Is that wire thing June mentioned a for feeding cows hay? I really was a city girl.
ReplyDeleteDiane -- I would guess a granary. It's metal and I don't think the width makes a difference? Let me know if you have a name. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteFunny I saw this on your sight. I think is a corn crib. We use to have one just like it, in Bourbon County, Ky.. It sat right next to the stable, down from our house. I remember it being full of corn, and seeing the farm workers fill it up with "silage" as feed for hogs, cows, and chickens. It was really a neat place to hear the echo of your voice in it when it was empty. A huge tornado took ours down. I miss it too! It was really neat.
ReplyDelete