Monday, August 6, 2012

Barn Charm

I finally took the time.
The time to
photograph 
a local
historical farm
that is a few miles
down the road.

I'm so glad I did.
I hope you are too.


It's a long post
with a lot of pictures
but I couldn't leave
anything out!


It is not open to the public
for touring.
This is the view as we approached.
Needless to say,
I was salivating 
over these roofs.








From the little bit of information
I could gather on this property,
I believe these are all
potato barns.

Here's the information I found:

The Erickson Farmstead is significant for its associated the are area's potato growing industry and for its associating with a prominent local family.

The farmstead was initially established by Otto Erickson who emigrated from Hälsingland, Sweden in 1868. He was one of the first settlers in the area. He began development of the farm though the current building were constructed by his son Edward during the peak years of potatoes in the area between 1910 and 1920.

Edward's sons left farming and became known for their grocery store and gas station.
















As we reached the back side of the property,
we came upon the horse barn.










This beauty stopped
eating to
say good-bye.


Linking up with
Trica at Barn Charm

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved this post/photos, Jill. Very interesting and unique history. You have fences, gates, barns and John loves that wind mill! Beautiful horse, too. Have a great day.

nanny said...

Interesting piece of history!!
Great post.
Have a good Monday.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I'm fascinated, Jill! I want to come next time ;-)

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I'm fascinated, Jill! I want to come next time ;-)

Anonymous said...

I love those roofs. I also love the shape of that barn with the silo next to it. Are those potato barns under ground or are they just tricking my eye? Great history & photos!

Susan said...

Yes, I think those buildings are just beautiful. Full of history - and being potato barns they'd be all nice and dark for storage. So much is remaining intact and the roof shingles are charming. Such an interesting post Jill :D)

My Mind's Eye said...

Absolutely fantastic I love the style/architecture of the buildings too and of course the classic barn red. Hugs Madi and Mom

Anonymous said...

What an awesome farm! I really like those roofs, too, they just add something more to the structures, don't they! Too bad they don't give tours, cuz I think it would be incredibly interesting to see inside.

Thanks in advance for joining =)

At Home in English Valley said...

Hi Jill, being a Midwest girl, I have never seen a potato barn, so interesting to learn something new. Sometimes the most amazing things are close to home. Thanks for sharing. Love, Penny

andy said...

Love the barns! I think about all the history behind the buildings! Have a great monday!

TexWisGirl said...

really cool place! the shake shingles and swayback roofs look a bit endangered, though. :)

Beth said...

Very interesting Jill! I have never seen one of these barns. Awesome photos and narrative.

Lois Christensen said...

Great photos. The ones with the roofs on the ground are interesting! Great job. Enjoy your Monday! I enjoyed the "Open Confession" and I've never read it before, so thanks for posting it again!

Sonya @ Under the Desert Sky said...

What great photos, Jill! What a great farm! I love that you included some of the history about the place. I always love "the rest of the story," along with photos.

Jackie said...

From one "Barn Lover" to another, I loved all the photo's and history about this homestead. I was also interested because I was an Erickson as well. My Great grandfather came over from Norway and settled in Southern MN.

Chatty Crone said...

That was beautifully amazing. Can you just imagine how it looked in the day? Do a couple of them look like they are sinking? And the roofs? And it is still being used today. Great job Jill.
sandie

Unknown said...

Great photos, and interesting story. Hälsingland is a nice place :) Have a great day!

Scrappy Pink Corner said...

Great photos. That would be so cool if you could have a tour. They look as if they are buried. Is that correct?
TFS. Ana

Unknown said...

Cool pics! Thanks for sharing Jill!

Anonymous said...

Just gorgeous, Jill!!! I'd never heard of a potato barn, and wondered why in the world the roofs were on the ground...?? Thanks for taking the time to share with us.

Ellie said...

Lovely buildings and those roofs are something else.
Great post and very interesting too. :))

Jeanne said...

I want to guess that there were buildings under those roofs. What an interesting peice of photo journalism. I love that the old barn is still standing.

Dawnll said...

What a beautiful property, I love the roofs...no one stopped you while you were walking around?lol
Thanks for sharing

Debbie said...

what a great place, you got some marvelous photograph's....i would have been salivating also!!

i say open it up and let people see it but maybe that would not be safe!!

Rose said...

Oh, how I would have loved to be there....what a nice series of shots.

Kathy said...

I'm a history buff so I'm "guilty" of the same thing - sometimes too many photos (or so I think) or too much information that I think others may not enjoy. Hey, different strokes for different folks. I say go for it - and you did. I loved it!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Nice shots- I love those potato barns- how cool!

Susan said...

How interesting, potato barns. I would never have guessed. Your photos are awesome Jill!

Rohrerbot said...

I learned something new...potato barns...very cool. Love the pics. So reminiscent of my childhood...beautiful area. Thanks for sharing:)

Paula said...

I've seen lots of barns but my first time to see a potato barn. Thanks for sharing, very interesting.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i really enjoy the history of it all, Jill. that is so awesome. what a great area. love all the photos. i'm happy you went & got them all. thanks for sharing. big hugs. (:

Mike said...

Now this is too cool. I'm hankerin' to build another building and I really like the roofs on the ground structures. I don't want to abandon my original barn plans. I might have to build two. ;)

Tanya Breese said...

wow, potato barns! never heard of that, or seen them before! so, is this all privately owned then since it's not open to the public? i hate when private parties own such a great piece of history and keep it all to themselves!

Jenny Woolf said...

I'm intrigued that some of it seems to be underground. Guess this is useful since potatoes need to be kept dark? Or am I missing something here? :D

Cheryl @ TFD said...

What an interesting post! Loved reading and seeing your beautiful photos!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

What a great set of photos of these old barns and buildings. I love the potato barns. Have never heard of them.

Julie Marie said...

Love all your pretty barn photos Jill... thanks for sharing. I do hope all goes well for Becky... xoxo Julie Marie

A Colorful World said...

An amazing farmstead! Wonderful barns! You took some great pictures, and I loved the horse telling you goodbye. Great post!