Barn Repairs At the Farm

The east side of the barn was in the worst repair when we purchased the farm a year ago.  There was a large hole in the roof, the east wall had buckled and the eaves had fallen off.  

Dan and his crew tore off a large portion of the roof, replaced beams and joists inside, built a new floor and new plywood decking.  They covered the roof with tar paper until a new roof can be installed.  New windows will be installed with Winter and then a complete paint in the Spring.
Our stretch of gravel road in front of the house that leads to a one room school house and general store.
We found the missing barn door nailed inside for a make shift wall.  We thought we would have to rebuild a door to match the other side, but found the door when the barn repairs began.

It is rumored that the barn was built as a horse barn for the United States government to raise horses for the Army's use.  I haven't gone on a fact finding mission - yet.  But, we know the barn was indeed a horse barn with 15 stalls inside that would have accommodated two horses each.  We know that the barn was built in the late 1800's or early 1900's.
Grapevine stars were added to the porch rails for the Holidays.  I plan to leave them until Spring to add a festive touch during the Winter months.
My neighbor feeding his cattle early in the morning... we really enjoy our neighbor's cattle.  We allow them to graze on 10 acres of our land as they please in exchange for all the fun they bring to our trips.  The other added benefit is that they keep our pastures grazed down so that we don't have to brush hog them as often.  Pasture upkeep the old fashioned way!