Ferguson Barn in Minnesota
Oct 9, 2019 11:03:48 #
On our recent trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin, we were given a tour by Gary, the owner. And to think Thomas Ferguson laid each stone by hand. Very impressive to see.
“There are round barns, long barns, short barns, but there's one near Chatfield, MN that has to be one of the Seven Wonders of Barns.
It's on the Gary and Deb Anderson farm, seven miles west of Chatfield and just off Fillmore County Road 2. To reach their home, you have to drive through the stone barn built in the 1880s by Thomas Ferguson, a Scotsman who came to America with his wife Jane in 1869.
Looking at the massive structure and the meticulous stone work, you'll wonder how they did it back then. Today, owners Gary and Deb prize both the barn and the house in which they live, now all modernized.
Ferguson, his wife Jane and his brother-in-law first settled at Pittsburgh after coming to the States, then moved to Chester, east of Rochester. They purchased the farm west of Chatfield in 1871. Thomas' skills as a stone mason took him to building other houses in the area. In fact, it took the family 22 years to complete their own house and barn because he could only work at it in between other projects. He was 71 when he set the last stone over the west archway of the barn in 1912.
Stone for the barn came from nearby limestone quarries to the east.” Source: Minnesota Post Bulletin.
“There are round barns, long barns, short barns, but there's one near Chatfield, MN that has to be one of the Seven Wonders of Barns.
It's on the Gary and Deb Anderson farm, seven miles west of Chatfield and just off Fillmore County Road 2. To reach their home, you have to drive through the stone barn built in the 1880s by Thomas Ferguson, a Scotsman who came to America with his wife Jane in 1869.
Looking at the massive structure and the meticulous stone work, you'll wonder how they did it back then. Today, owners Gary and Deb prize both the barn and the house in which they live, now all modernized.
Ferguson, his wife Jane and his brother-in-law first settled at Pittsburgh after coming to the States, then moved to Chester, east of Rochester. They purchased the farm west of Chatfield in 1871. Thomas' skills as a stone mason took him to building other houses in the area. In fact, it took the family 22 years to complete their own house and barn because he could only work at it in between other projects. He was 71 when he set the last stone over the west archway of the barn in 1912.
Stone for the barn came from nearby limestone quarries to the east.” Source: Minnesota Post Bulletin.
Oct 9, 2019 11:06:08 #
MT native wrote:
On our recent trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin, we ... (show quote)
Excellent set Dennis.
Oct 9, 2019 11:31:14 #
Oct 9, 2019 11:37:09 #
The amount of work in that barn boggles my mind. Just the climbing up and down a ladder with a pile of rocks. Great pictures.
Oct 9, 2019 19:14:02 #
Oct 10, 2019 06:01:06 #
jcave
Loc: Cecilia, Kentucky
Impressed with Thomas Ferguson,s skill and tenacity as a builder/stone mason, but also thankful to Gary and Deb Anderson for preserving and presenting this treasure when too many others crumble into ruin. Thank you, Dennis, for the tour.
Oct 10, 2019 06:15:59 #
Oct 10, 2019 06:39:49 #
MT native wrote:
On our recent trip to Minnesota and Wisconsin, we ... (show quote)
Dennis, having lived in MN for three winters in Rochester, MN I agree. Not only is this barn beyond being a special structure there are so many more in the area. Your set of photos are great.
Greg
Oct 10, 2019 07:42:03 #
That is an amazing barn ... & captured very well ... outstanding series. Can't fathom working on a barn that long ... to age 71 ... would think it wouldn't leave much time to use it. Obviously built to last. Thanks for sharing.
Oct 10, 2019 08:13:54 #
Excellent series. Amazing that it is still standing, a credit to Thomas. WOW, I'd love to see it. Thanks for sharing this beautifully crafted barn.
Oct 10, 2019 08:17:08 #
Oct 10, 2019 08:19:47 #
That’s some barn! Nice work with the photographing; thanks for posting.
Curious--what’s going on with the tarp-covered floors?
Curious--what’s going on with the tarp-covered floors?
Oct 10, 2019 09:02:25 #
Oct 10, 2019 09:26:53 #
Oct 10, 2019 09:31:10 #
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