August 2018 “Barn of the Month”
Troy E. Coggins – County Extension Director
The
August 2018 “Barn of the Month” was constructed in 1920 by Hermon Myers. Mr. Myers was born in Rowan County
but moved to Davidson County in 1920. His first project on this property was to construct this barn. He and his
young family lived in an existing log house structure on the property until after the barn was completed and a new Farmhouse
was built. Both the barn and the house were built out of timber harvested and sawn on the property.
The barn was essential to the livelihood and wellbeing of the Myers
family, thus the reason for it being first priority. It was designed with two stalls to house draft horses and mules
and 4 stalls for milk cows. The loft was designed and utilized for storing “loose” hay for the livestock.
Loose hay, as opposed to baled, was common farm
practice in that time. To accommodate this, the barn was constructed with, and still has, a lift and trolley system
to get the loose hay up into the loft and move it into position for storage. This was a mechanized way to handle
hay during the era. When you look at the design of this systems, and to take into account they were operated by hand
and draft animals, this was successful agriculture engineering.
Today the barn is utilized primarily for storage, and well maintained by the Myers family. When speaking
with the family, it is evident that this structure and the land will remain intact and cared for generations to come.
To see this barn for yourself, take a drive along Old Hwy 64 in the West Davidson Community. It is located at
6340 West Old Hwy 64. If you have an appreciation for rural America, history, and the importance of agriculture, this
will be time well spent.
