Month: October 2023

Grain bins everywhere are being transformed into homes. In Allamakee County, this one has been converted as the Kelly’s weekend getaway.

They restored a barn nearby, built in 1906, and this grain bin is their latest project. It has a spacious kitchen and sitting area (See photo below.), two bedrooms, bathroom, novel storage areas, washer and dryer, deck, and an attached grain bin garage. It also has a new roof installed over the original roof, with a layer of insulation between the two. (2023 photos)

This red clay tile barn in southeast Iowa’s Van Buren County was the home of dairy cows when it was built in 1918. The stalls were situated around the perimeter and hay was stored in the loft. Brothers Warren and Clarence Brown built identical barns three miles apart near Stockport, Clarence’s was built in 1921. Note the abundance of windows on the south side that provided natural light for the cows.

After it was not used as a dairy barn, boxes for laying hens were constructed on the north side. Hens had the barn for themselves when they were not in a box laying eggs. The barn is not in use today.