7777 State Road 18-151

Summary

Thomas Stone Barn
7777 State Trunk Highway 18/ US Highway151
Town of Brigham, Iowa County Date of Construction: 1881

Thomas Stone Barn stands apart from the numerous agricultural structures that dot the state's landscape due to its stone construction, large size, and expert workmanship. Built in 1881 of quarried limestone, the barn has changed little. The north façade has two broad, arched entries giving access to the hayloft. The basement level of the barn holds the original stable and an open stone floor. On the exposed south-facing basement, ten evenly spaced doors open to the fields.

Surrounded by 165 acres of crop and pastureland, the barn has remained fundamentally unchanged, though changing agricultural technologies have altered aspects of the structure. Originally built for a livestock-raising business, the Thomas Stone Barn, like many early Wisconsin barns, was converted into a dairy farm in the early twentieth century. The most notable alterations to the structure were conversion of the stables to cow pens in the basement level, the addition of a milk house and a loafing shed. Rather than detracting from the historical significance of the barn, these additions reflect important trends in Wisconsin's agricultural history and suggest the constantly changing mandates of agricultural technology upon Wisconsin farms.

The barn is located on private property. Please respect the privacy of the owners.

Property Details

Resources Within The Property

Designations