Barns Statewide

Barns Statewide:

Across Oklahoma, barns are a common symbol of the state’s rich agricultural heritage.  The site of a worn and weathered barn on the horizon can be compelling, but also reminds us that, as family farms are abandoned we risk losing valuable resources for understanding the development and history of farming in Oklahoma. 

The Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, in partnership with the Oklahoma State University Georgraphy Department, has employed Professor Dr. Brad Bays to undertake a survey of barns in a 17-county region of southwestern Oklahoma.  The purpose of the survey is to locate, record, and photograph examples of historic barns. This study will help researchers learn about geographical patterns of barn types, functions and architectural styles that may emerge. These barns’ documentations will be housed in the permanent record of the Oklahoma Landmarks Inventory at the State Historic Preservation Office. 

The Gregg Barn (bottom right), near Ponca City, was built in 1900 on land obtained during the Cherokee Outlet Land Run in 1893, from stone that was quarried on-site.   

The Schultz/Neal Barn (below) near Red Rock was originally built in 1941. The second owner of the property added his own name “Neal” to the front of the barn after it had to be partially rebuilt following a fire in 1951. This barn was the centerpiece of a large 13,000 acre ranch, and is significant because of its large size and for the local materials utilized in its construction. It has been determined eligible for inclusion on the NRHP.