Walter Hahn Farms Stilt Barn

This long stilt barn has an earthen and concrete approach to both ends of the central pass-through. Slatted corncribs occupied both sides of the pass-through. It was built around 1917 and used for the storage of ear corn and other crops. The barn, located in the Ohio River bottoms, has a significant elevation, built to remain dry during the annual flooding of the Ohio River. It was last used for ear corn storage in 1965 and is now used to store farming equipment.

Workhorses and mules were housed and fed in the lower level between the barn's stilts, which provided a cool and comfortable environment for them. These animals could be moved out in a hurry as flood waters threatened. The historic river flood of 1937 was 53.7 feet, the highest Ohio River flood in recorded history. It was high enough to flood the barn, wash out the corn and soak a tractor.

One late afternoon in April 2005, I set up my plein air easel and completed this oil painting. The array of red hues, the range of values and the reflections on the barn were a challenge in mixing color. I chose a horizontal canvas of 12 x 24 inches.

All the barn paintings are for sale.  Please contact Gwen to find out if the painting(s) you are interested in are sold or available.