Historic Barns of Connecticut

Designations

n/a

Historic Significance

Architectural description:

Barn I:

This is a good example of a pole barn with the framing uprights (dimensional millwork posts) are mounted directly into the ground. The stable is one of a pair of horse barns located off a driveway leading northwest off Battle Swamp Road. The drive passes to the northeast of the barns and continues north to a log house on an elevated site overlooking barns and paddock. Features include: 50 x 20; low, rectangular peak-roofed barn standing with its gable ends to east and west, northward sloping roof line; exterior-mount rolling doors, east gable end; three divided stall doors at southwest corner; pre-fabricated trusses; center-aisle layout with flanking horse stalls; dirt floor; grey stain.

Barn II:

As in the previous example, the framing uprights of this pole barn are mounted directly into the ground.  One of a pair of horse barns, located off a driveway leading northwest off Battle Swamp Road. The drive passes to the northeast of the barns and continues north to a log house on an elevated site overlooking barns and paddock. Features include: 50 x 20; low, rectangular peak-roofed barn standing with its gable ends to north and south; two pair exterior-mount rolling doors on primary, east facade; pre-fabricated trusses; center-aisle layout with flanking horse stalls; dirt floor; wood frame; grey stain.

Historical significance:

Most ground-level stable barns and free-stall dairy barns built since the 1970s have no hayloft. Instead, the roofs are supported by prefabricated wooden trusses covered with metal roofing. While most single-story truss-roofed barns in New England are constructed with concrete foundations and stud-framed walls, pole barns with open sides are becoming popular, especially for sheltering large herds of dairy cows, heifers, and beef cattle. Many of these large truss-roofed structures are free-stall barns, introduced in the late 1940s.

Field Notes

Information from a survey of Roxbury by Rachel Carley. The barn was built by the previous owners, who started a riding school known as the North Forty Farm Riding Stable. The current owners offer riding lessons and boarding services.

Use (Historic)

• equestrian

Use (Present)

• equestrian

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Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Demolished

n/a

Location Integrity

Unknown

Related features

• Barn

Environment features

• Open Land
• Residential
• Woodland

Relationship to surroundings

n/a

Building Typology

• Pole

Materials

• Vertical Siding

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Structural System

• Pole Barn

Roof materials

---

Roof type

• Gable

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Approximate Dimensions

Barn I: 50 x 20, Barn II: 50 x 20.

Date Compiled

06/30/2011

Compiled By

Rachel D. Carley - CH

Sources

Carley, Rachel D., Barn Stories from Roxbury Connecticut, Roxbury Historic District Commission/Town of Roxbury/CT Commission on Culture & Tourism, 2010.

Cunningham, Jan, Roxbury, A Historic and Architectural Survey, Roxbury Historic District Commission, 1996-97.

Sexton, James, PhD; Survey Narrative of the Connecticut Barn, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, Hamden, CT, 2005, http://www.connecticutbarns.org/history.

Visser, Thomas D.,Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings, University Press of New England, 1997, 213 pages.