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Tucked in a grove, it's difficult to see

POMEROY - Glen Hanson's 1940s-era barn has seen piglets, milk cows and beef steers. Currently it houses much cleaner contents - a vehicle and some shop tools.

However, because it's tucked inside a grove less than 100 yards north of the Pocahontas-Calhoun County line, southbound travelers don't see it.

"It's the only barn quilt in Pocahontas County you can't see from Pocahontas County," said Hanson's wife ReNay Hanson. "We're not sure if that makes it special, but it makes it kind of difficult to find."

The Hansons bought the farm and its barn in 1971. The farm's centerpiece began life in 1945. Since that time it has been adapted for numerous kinds of livestock and remained occupied almost continuously up to its current format.

"There are a lot of barns that get torn down or fall apart," Hanson said. "But I never had any thought of doing that. It wasn't really an attachment; it was just too good of a structure to let deteriorate."

When Hanson took the farm's ownership, the barn was set up for milking, including an outdoor sorting area still marked with the names and milking schedules of individual cows.

The milking equipment was removed in favor of a beef operation, which later became a nursery as part of a hog operation. The nursery operated until about 12 years ago, but Hanson soon found a new use for the building - a garage and shop.

"The proximity to the house just made it a good fit," Hanson said. "I needed a place to put my work vehicle, so about eight years ago we set it up with the overhead door and the extra walk-in and now I have an insulated place to put my vehicle in the winter."

The final touch to the barn's appearance came last year when the Hanson's three grown children and their families bought the barn quilt as a Christmas gift for their parents.

The quilt was ordered through the county Extension service, but it also came with a handful of decisions to make.

"They came with this book that had more than 500 designs, so it was actually kind of a difficult choice," ReNay Hanson said. "You also have to choose the colors and patterns you will use and you try to choose one that is different from other quilts around the area."

The design the Hansons choose is known as the Martha Washington Star. Hanson said while he has never really thought of his barn in historical or heritage terms, the addition has brought a sense of pride, as well as compliments from admirers.

"A lot of people who come by comment on how it looks nice and that it really adds something to the place," Hanson said. "That's pretty good praise for a garage."

Contact Kevin Stillman by e-mail at stillman.kw@gmail.com