The Red Barn – constructed in 1872

Now commonly called “the old red barn”, this is the oldest original structure at Pioneer Bluffs*. This summer, strong winds blew off a section of the barn’s roof, making it vulnerable to a quickening deterioration.   The building seems to have had many reprieves from destruction over the years.  It’s been rebuilt and restyled a few times and even moved from its original location to make space for a larger barn. We’re fortunate that it still exists. It has a special character that sets it apart, as one of the few remaining timber-framed barns built before the 1900s in Kansas. Wooden barns are disappearing across the prairie, giving way to more modern structures.  Demolition and replacement the most cost-effective and practical solution for farms and ranches.  It is, though, the mission of Pioneer Bluffs to preserve its historic structures.  In this case the cost of doing so (estimated at over $300,000) may be prohibitive.

* The log cabin is older, but was moved in from another family site to commemorate the first Rogler cabin which no longer exists.

Some information from Christy Davis:

1. There are only 32 timber-framed barns in the state’s historic inventory of 70,000 properties.
2. Nine of these have been demolished.
3. Only nine of the 32 were in “good” condition when last surveyed.
4. Only 19 of the 32 were built before 1900.
5. Most of the timber-framed barns are in NE Kansas.