OLD BARN № 021

This old building is designed like a barn, which makes me think it may have been used as a barn once-upon-a-time. It may have had the traditional double-doors in place of the garage door that is there now, but that is just a guess. There is a lean-to portico on the side which likely served as a storage area for farm implements, hay, or perhaps an animal pen.

The part of this building that charmed me most is what looks like a little "office" space on the left side, as it reminds me of my grandfather. He built a large building like this long ago, before I was born, and used it as his "shop" — a woodworking shop, complete with table saw, jigsaw, band saw, drill press, and sander. He had a large wooden work counter which he built against the wall with plenty of drawers for storing nails, screws, bolts & nuts, wire, and assorted hardware. He hung his tools on the wall above the counter. On the end was a section of large shelves for storing wood, much of it scrap wood which he scrounged from here-and-there. He even had a small restroom in the back with a toilet and sink. And, adjacent to the barn was a small office.

Actually, his office was originally built as a wooden structure which he placed on the back of a truck he owned. He was an agent for Southern Railway, and was often dispatched to other towns for a few days or a week or two at a time. When those times came, he drove the truck to the other town and lived out of the little "office" on the back of the truck. He had his typewriter in there as well as plenty of paper for typing his daily diary/journal, stamps for mailing letters back home, etc. He also had a cot on which he slept, and a place to store his clothing and books. When he finally retired from the railroad, he took the office structure off the back of the truck and placed it on a foundation he prepared adjacent to the shop building.

In the shop, he built many things: rocking chairs, porch swings, step-stools for all the women of the family, kitchen cabinets, storage cabinets for his church, even coffins for people who could not afford an expensive casket when a loved one passed. He never charged anyone for anything, as far as I know. He had a big heart and loved helping people. Perhaps being a quiet, behind-the-scenes, "support person" runs in the family's genes.

So, yeah, this old building reminds me somewhat of my grandfather's shop. I wish I had a photograph of it. Perhaps another family member does; I need to ask around and see if we can locate one!

The following image from Google Maps "Street View" shows the side of the building and what a long length it has. It is interesting to note that the ground was not level and abutments were added to support the span of the barn, rather than grading the land to make it level.