The Schumacher Barn - Losing an Icon?
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- čas přidán 26. 03. 2024
- My first video about the Schumacher Barn was released in 2020. To date, it has received nearly 500,000 views. This unique barn, which was built in the early 1930s, is located near Fairfax, Minnesota. The Louden Machinery Company, from Fairfield, Iowa, designed the barn for Albert and Adolph Schumacher. The barn was built of fired clay block from the Ochs Brick & Tile Company, of Springfield, Minnesota. What makes this structure unique is that double ACO silos were built into the Ochs block barn. I have only seen two other examples of this type of construction, one at Lake Park, Minnesota, and the other at Lino Lakes, Minnesota. Both of those have already been torn down. At the Schumacher barn, the interior hay loft, which ran the length of the barn, has recently been cut out, which makes me believe this barn is in danger of being torn down too. Take a tour of the Schumacher brother’s barn, which I believe is the last of its kind in the State of Minnesota. Its days are likely numbered.
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The fate of the old barn is symbolic of what is happening to the whole country.
The building has changed less than the world around it. What's more, if it stays put a while longer, it just might be needed again.
Absolutely
This majestic building was constructed in an era when quality and pride went into it. Still in pristine condition after all these years. It needs to be saved, not destroyed. Once it's gone, it's lost forever.
Because people are idiots and love destroying things
What a shame to destroy such a piece of history . So well made . Beautiful barn .
I can't believe how pristine this barn looks after almost 100 years, inside AND out!
Thanks.
With very little maintenance, the barn could have functioned for another 100 years.
it sounds like it was maintained by the remaining family into the 1980s, unlike most barns that were abandoned by the 1930s during the dust bowl and great depression
This barn must be saved and restored.
So well-built why would anyone want to tear it down.
Totally agree !!
With the loft floor gone, it's sadly, not well built anymore.
Probably a selfish rich person who doesn't care about anything but money. I wondered why the other family had to remove the trees. It didn't take up much land and I'm sure wildlife lived there. But they just wanted to plant a few more rows of corn or whatever was growing there. People only care about profit it seems. I wonder what will be built there now that it's sold. Or else why tear it down? Our country already has such a short history and we will have nothing old and historic left after awhile it seems. It breaks my heart. MN use to be quiet and secluded. With old farm charm. 💔
@@farmerbill6855The loft floor can be rebuilt!
It's not bright shiny new with all the bells and whistles society has been spoiled by. Structurally it's sound just from looking at this video. The loft being gone isn't affecting the stability to a huge degree right now, brick mortar looks in good shape. They dozed the trees to farm every inch they could. I understand why they do it but personally I don't like it. They pay the taxes and bought the place so that's their choice.
When i seen the Loft cut it made sick,,,,, very sad to say the least....
Do we wish we could go back in time. Everything in the barn tells us a story of it last days on the job. What a shame.
A lasting Testament to the excellent craftsmanship of our former generations who built these magnificent farming 'castles'. It's in such good condition, overall, and should be saved and, if anything, used as an agricultural history attraction!!!👨🌾🤩👨🌾🤩👨🌾
So sad to see beautiful barns disappear from the Midwest landscape. What a shame. I would have loved to see it in it's operating. Hayday.
Such a shame to loose these places.
Can never be replaced.
Beautiful.
The craftsmanship.
None today can compete.
This is my family! Thank you so much for sharing this video. It truly was a one of a kind barn. It was even more beautiful when it was surrounded by trees and a farmyard.
Thank you again!!!
Cool, any chance you have any old photos of it?
Yep. Starting to do some digging to see what I can find. Ernst was my great grandfather. I’ll let you know what I find and will happily share if you’re interested.
Hi, viewer from Germany here. Ernst Schumacher sounds very German- do you have German roots?
Yep! German and Norwegian. I know Ernst and his siblings grew up speaking German and we have a decorative Bible verse from the house that is etched in glass in German.
That sounds great! Could you please tell me which verse it was? Beste Grüsse aus Deutschland :)!
I have an affinity for this old barn and silos that probably defies logic.
Hell, I'd want to create an acreage there just because of that barn.
The bones of this barn are still very good. The walls are all plumb and straight, no heaving on the concrete floor and the mortar joints look like they were done yesterday. The doors are intact, and the windows are not even broken. Even the roof is salvageable but with the loft gone, it is structurally weakened. Interesting knee wall above the loft floor. I hope they at least sell the Louden materials and some of the tile blocks before razing it to the ground. Sad to see it go.
Your comment reminds me of a book I read as a kid. My school librarian was involved with the kids that visited, and one day she handed me this one to read. It was called Bert Breens Barn by Walter D Edmonds. Great book for kids, loved it so much that it is in my book collection today. Good teachers do make a difference.
Reminds me of my grandpa’s old barn in Chippewa county near Clara City. His was much smaller but the interior images of those ceilings sure bring back memories. I can almost smell it now
Oh to be young enough and have enough money and drive to turn that back into a workng dairy barn. It is a beautiful building.
someone has to love you and give you the drive and then boom!..she leaves:)
With enough Draxxin and Banamine anything is possible I guess.
😢 What a Magnificent barn. While I was watching, I was trying to picture the Shumarker family having such a wonderful life at such a beautiful place. Makes you really think about how one is Here today and then Gone tomorrow. Great Job capturing the barn, but It also made me very sad 😢.
There was the best acreage in Southern Minnesota located a mile south of Wilder. It was the 1929 farm of the year I was told. Had every building specific for every common farm animal at the time, the biggest farmhouse, and hired man's house as well. It was 16 acres of trees and building site with two driveways. The barns were still straight and perfect and had the nice silos. The place sat abandoned for many years as I would drive by and dream of someday owning it and building a perfect home there. Then tragedy struck when corn rose above $5 per bushel and land approached $10K/acre back in the early 2000's. I'm still kicking myself for not taking pictures of the place before the excavator knocked everything down. I forget the name of the farm, but if I heard the name again I would remember.
making way for an every hungrier and poorer country to feed, one day not too long from now if all was left, could be used again and very much loved
Great old barn
Today, we gather to remember the Old Schumacher Barn, a cornerstone of Minnesota's agricultural heritage. Constructed from the sturdy oaks and maples of local forests and crafted by the Schumacher family, this barn was more than just a structure; it was a symbol of resilience and hard work.
For over a century, it stood watch over countless seasons, sheltering livestock, and storing tools. It survived changes in farming, from horse-drawn plows to the roar of modern tractors.
As we say goodbye, we honor not just a barn, but a legacy of community and simplicity. Though the Old Schumacher Barn will no longer stand, its spirit remains embedded in the heart of this land and its people.
Farewell, Old Schumacher Barn. May your memory inspire us to cherish and continue the traditions you housed.
farewell
I can’t imagine what that was like when it went up. Imagine all the people that stopped in or Talked about it. I’m sure it was a Landmark. I watch the other video all the time.😢😢😢
please folks find a way to restore and preserve this magnificent structure!!
Why not put a driveway in and make it a dog park. There is a stone barn like it in NE wisc, and they did that. I'm sure the county has resources to make that happen. 🇺🇲
Makes my heart hurt to see all these grand structures disappearing. I live in Central Wisconsin and the old barns are hard to find anymore.
Totally agree ! And also from central WI.
Built with so much love for details! Inside it looks like a cathedral! Imagine restoring it and build a nice loft for living inside!
It’s like a cathedral, magnificent
That was a FANCY barn ! Hate to see it be gone!!!
Some one has to be mentally challenged to tear it down our barn was built in 1896
Still standing just as big .
That is a amazing barn. Even if the roof needed replacement to keep it sound that should be done and it needs to stand as an example of history.
Beautiful such a shame to see it go.
Shame to see the car and Farmall just sitting.
Does the owner want to see the barn repaired?
I love old barns. Sad to see it go.
Wow absolutely amazing and so sad it might get torn down. Can people re-use the bricks?
Wish i could reclaim those hayloft barn roof vents because im aiming to use my horse drawn hay equipment and want to build a Gothic arch barn on my farm
Structurally it looks perfect! too bad landowner's can't see the potential to preserve it!
I'd just love to have that on my property. Make a great venue or winery.
The masonry is Beautiful
The roof ridge is spot on.
Should be put in a historical society
Just curious - what engendered your love of A.C.O.? It's a wonderful passion, and you do such a great job of passing it along. Thanks for posting regularly - a real treat for us. Excellent example of the changing ag economy. No need for the barn, silos, and equipment manned by two brothers with cooking and housekeeping supplied by their older sister. Interesting that the family is buried at Fort Ridgely, will have to investigate that connection a bit further.
Even the stanchions are graceful 😢 Gorgeous old gal ❤
I made a delivery to New Ulm today. On the way back either on Mn 15 or Mn 5 I saw a silo with ACO on it. Because of your channel I knew it was Ochs bricks!
This is something I wish the government would waste its money on versus most of what it’s choosing to waste it on. Making sure our old iconic structures stand the test of time and are protected from destruction from either the elements or the hands of humans.
Nice video!! I always enjoyed silos!!!
Straight strong and truly marvelous BARN AND SILOS...
NEGLECTED IT WILL BECOME WORSE & WORSE...
said, i love old barns😢😢😢
Did tearing out the hayloft weaken the wall structure? Could it be declared a historical landmark by the state?
I watched a neighbors barn slowly decay and fall in on itself finally this winter, a sad sight seeing the history disappear.
Very impressive that it has held up so well over time despite many years of neglect.
It's sucks to see such a great old barn like that to be destroyed
It could have been renovated to become a magnificent home.......
Thank you for documenting this treasure. It's story and it's eventual fate are a perfect, tragic, condemning metaphor.
Beautiful barn!
Very nice barn, good video.
Have you ever seen the Dayton barn in Shorewood, MN. ? It's on Boulder Bridge road.
Think of all of the happy moments as a family worked together in this barn.
I see so much potential 😮
Just watched your video on the Shumacher Barn. Our barn is of similar construction. Don't know if it is the same manufacturer or not. Ours was built in 1929. Located just out from White Bear Lake Minnesota. The Shumacher barn is a great barn. Sorry to see that it will likely be gone.
The song, "Big Yellow Taxi" comes to mind.
I hope that early 50's Chevy doesn't go away with the barn as well! 🥺
farming is the back bone of this country! So sad not many small farms have cows
This would make a great barndo or a wedding venue. I hope it gets fully restored.
They weren't kidding about this being one of the finest barns. I have scarcely seen homes more attractive than this barn is. To be honest I could take or leave the silos, but they do match that barn well so if you are keeping a silo around that is at least one of the best solutions to pair with that barn.
what a sad crime
Beautiful old barn would make a nice home. 😊
That barn is bigger than my whole building lot. Such is progress, sad to see it go😢
you should contact the owner
There has to be a way to keep that beautiful barn and silos its rare history
Historical landmark
Believe it or not, there is a near-identical ACO silo x clay block barn about 20 miles to the southeast near Sleepy Eye, MN. The only difference is that there is one ACO silo instead of the two paired with the barn and feed room. That barn & silo are in much better shape than the Schumacher Barn. I'm curious how that has not ended up on your radar yet.
Any chance you could give me directions so I could check it out?
@@MNBricksit is on Highway 4, north of Sleepy Eye, in the former settlement of Golden Gate.
Magnificent
This barn would make a killer Venue to host events in like weddings and such if it was properly renovated. Until now I'm sure most people didn't even know this barn existed but hopefully someone buys it and properly restores it. I bet you there are cool historic buildings like this all over the world just rotting away, its a shame to see.
Are you sure they are goong to tear it down?? Seem like removing the hayloft makes it usable for parking equipment by putting a large door in the end ..
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤bellisimo ojala y lo restauren 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤
Would be awesome if you could get up into that loft part to show that tall room part between the silos
In Alberta Canada 🇨🇦, they have a barn farm museum. They have transported barn from far for this museum. Different styles, awsome place to visit.
That Barn is in pristine Condition considering how long it has stood there largely abandoned. The barn has stood strong and given some TLC it will be there for another hundred years. These old buildings were a product of there era. Made to last and outlast there owners. It seems that these barns have withstood so much and sad to see the state of farming across the world. The small time farmer dying off and large farms taking. These old barns are apart of our history that should be preserved lest it be forgotten forever. They out-served there purpose and time.
I believe the barn listed at the end as being in Lino Lakes was actually in Blaine. The Finn Farm located on the southeast corner of 125th and Lexington ave. It was torn down in 2014. There is now a ball field concession building that is shaped like a barn in the general area where the barn once stood.
Just restore the farm
Was the Lino Lakes location the Finn Farm? It was beautiful!
Would make a great home !
Drove past an ACO silo in diworth MN today on my way to Fargo ND
Sad to say but without the hayloft floor joists holding the walls in, the roof will probably sag, pushing the clay block walls outward.
I would guess the joists were very valuable as salvage lumber. And also the floor boards.
The top might still be moveable. We moved one similar and are still using it as a nice quonset 45 years later. Big job but still much cheaper than some other building options. Needs paint and shingles on regular basis although much more pleasing to look at and enjoy. Maybe the silos could be left standing for posterity. I always dislike when a farmstead is completely erased, why not leave a few trees or small mark of the lives that were there before us?
We need to go back.
The money to tear it down won't be made back on taxes and $ 3.50 corn to easy or quickly. But maintenence and liability weight in also. Sad but probably inevitable . Thanks for filming, it's kind like the barn is telling us it's tired and ready for what's next
Whomever took the loft out sealed it's fate. The cost of replacing that negates any possibility of repairing the barn. Unless you just have money to burn.
This should be a historic landmark of an example of these products of such fine craftsmanship. Alternatively it could be disassembled and relocated.
Farming has changed so much since then; these barns are no longer needed. It's sad, but the cost of upkeep most people will burn or tear them down. I have seen a few in my area be converted over to rental places for parties, weddings etc. But many I remember as a kid are gone. That is one majestic looking building, I hate to see it go down. I'd bet the wood from the loft was resold. Wood from old barns is being used in houses for decor a lot. I have seen that done a lot in kitchens, instead of closing the roof, its left open with top floor joists exposed, or made to look like wider beams and drywall installed in between them. Thats a lot of maybe virgin wood to just destroy, I hope it's used again....
I hate to see old barns getting destroyed. Oddly enough though, when I see a barn fading away, falling down on "it's own terms" after years of neglect, it is a bit easier to take. It is sad to see them crumble away, but also kind of neat to see. But when a barn goes out because of development, fire, or tornado or other disaster it is tougher to take.
Irgendwo im nirgendwo, schöne Architektur.
It would make an awesome house.
Such a shame that a beautiful well built building like this serves very little purpose by today’s standards and its only fault is that 3 modular homes in a subdivision can sit in its foot print. Thankfully you were able to get video of this before it’s gone so people can see what craftsmanship and pride was like.
That is a beautiful old barn can't even imagine how much money it would take to make that building if nothing else I think that building would make a Great restaurant id clean up that old car and up it in the parking lot
Please say that doesn’t get taken down?! That would be absolutely terrible!!
Would make a beautiful club house to and impending housing development. One way to save it. But hold out hope because every other structure was raised on the property except this one.
I agree with all the comments, some how keep this barn in tact
What a majestic, beautiful old girl. The vertical roof supports are amazing. How did they make those..???
Unfortunately it doesn't appear to have been useful for quite some time. It costs a lot to maintain a roof like that. If it's not producing income it's not worth maintaining by an individual. Sad but true.
A lot of cows miles there! How many stanchions? State of the art when built
Any specifics on the old tractor or old car in the barn?
Barndominum would be awesome with this
With them cutting the hayloft seems indicative that they are not gonna cut it down but rather use is to store heavy machinery in it. Hopefully this barn doesn't get wrecked.
If only walls could talk. Both happy times and sad times.
I was built to serve you well. I did serve you well. I’m sorry that I have no further use of me.
Like an animal that I severed you well and had to be put down now please it is time for me to be put down with respect. Please do it soon so I will not have a slow decline. I deserve more respect than that.
I served my families well and now in tired so please don’t let me suffer a long slow decline.
My memories are wonderful for lots of people. Now I’m ready to be great memories not sad memories anymore. 😢😢😢
I’d love to have it and make it it to my house
If I had all the money in the world I would go around to all these abandoned farms and restore them back to what They might have looked like back in their days
Dreams
Dreams