The year was 1912 when homesteaders Arthur and Philip Mellott were approached by operators of Panhandle Lumber, a sawmill four miles north of the Mellott farm in Ione, Washington. The brothers needed to "prove" their federal land claim by showing progress on the ground and what Panhandle offered would go far toward satisfying the requirement.

If Panhandle could get their timber harvests to the Pend Oreille River by crossing Mellott land, the north-flowing current would carry the logs to Panhandle's sawmill. In exchange for access, a barn would be built onsite, free of charge.

Constructed on the pasture floor, with no foundation other than horizontal wood skids, the barn took shape. Inside thick, wide wood planks were fastened atop horizontal logs for a rustic floor. Animal stalls would be on the North, and hay storage would be in the loft and on the South side.

In the early 1980s, a newly minted structural engineer from Sewell & Associates of Newport, Washington came out at the request of then-owners Philip and June Hobbs. They'd purchased the plot known as the Old Douglas Place in the late 60s from Arthur and Wilda Chantry, themselves pioneers since the 1940's.

Recognizing the barn was tipping; seeing decay at the bottom of so many of the support posts, the new owners sought professional help. The young engineer, Eric Eldenburg, suggested steel cables and wood bracing to help extend the barn's life. 

Had it not been for his advice put into action, the barn wouldn't be standing today.

Phil & June Hobbs passed in the 90s and their son Matthew has joined with others, including the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, to give the barn a much-needed rehabilitation. Fellow residents Marc & Shannon Willett, Terry Parmley and generous volunteers have joined Matt & Susan Hobbs in this enormous effort, often subsidized by friends and family. 

We're grateful for everyone. 

Here are photos of the progress that began August of 2018 and was completed June 2021.

Thanks to all who've given their time, skill and equipment to this important effort.

It is to the community's credit that the barn will stand another hundred years.

June 2017 - 105 and in need of a hand to remain upright.

 

Decay from ground contact.

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A century of  freeze & thaw resulted in ground heave, buckling flooring.

Logs unearthed. Spikes holding plank flooring would be pulled.

Uneven ground would be smoothed & compacted.

2" x 12" flooring would be salvaged, sway back header over doorway rehabilitated.

Rotten post bottoms were lopped-off, steel brackets & concrete piers poured by late Nov. '18.

Matt Hobbs (closest) and Marc Willett live and work onsite.

Due to freeze, piers were poured, insulated w/high tech P2000 and heated while the concrete cured.

 

Sealed up for winter 2018-19

Spring 2019

Strip-down and salvage of old siding. 

Procurement of used galvanized roofing for Fall 2019 install.

Four large barn doors were set-aside for rehabilitation, to be stained and re-hung in 2020.

 

An affordable school bus with hydraulic lift helps house the items displaced by construction.

 

Marc with rake at the ready during 2nd (of 3) concrete pours.

The volunteer crew and two young hired hands. An over 60s crew for the most. From L: Jeff Hawley, Deborah Smith Barrett, Susan Swan Hobbs, Matt Hobbs, Dave Jette, Marc and Shannon Willett, Jim Barrett and two local hired hands in case the old folks faltered. Photo credit: Nancy Peterson, volunteer.

 

Volunteer Durga Ishaya is tiny, but mighty having stained every board & batten prior to installation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All structural and siding materials were sourced from the property. Matt Hobbs operates an American Tree Farm System (ATF) certified sustainable-yield forest. During the Winter of 2018-19 through late Fall 2019, trees were harvested and siding was milled on site by Matt.

The last lift is similar to center drive-through section, however carries the weight of the loft above. 

Painted gravel outline reveals the straightening needed in landing posts. 

Under aluminum roofing, original cedar shakes and skip sheeting see the first light of day in 108 years.

A generous lease from Pape Equipment in Spokane allowed safer access. 

                                                Son Frank and Matt fresh off the Pape platform-lift

Tens of thousands of 1912 roofing nails holding cedar shakes had to be removed, one at a time.

Cupola work was done from the interior using scaffolding atop beams spanning the void.   

1912 vertical barn siding too cupped for re-use on the exterior seen here horizontally, with painted-side against the wall. This, in an area that will become a climate controlled wood shop.

After 108 years of loft access by ladder, Marc built stairs using Matt's milled wood from the property. A welcome improvement..

 

 

 

 

 

 

.. and a great perch for a Swan.

The N. side awning, dismantled and numbered for re-assembly, when re-assembled would allow easier access to install new barn siding and battens on the N. gable.

Resident Terry Parmley and Matt Hobbs as last 1x12" siding board goes up. The focus would turn to remaining battens, W. awning and barn doors. 

Battens ON. 

New west awning, attached. 

Awning facade short-wall stained. 

 

While the historically correct barn sash windows would require wood stain, the man-door made by Matt Hobbs and Terry Parmley was amply stained by livestock. This made for an aromatic experience when being planed. Several coats of marine spar varnished sealed the wood on both. 

Terry Parmley used 1912 plank flooring to make two barn doors for what had been livestock doorways. Undercover from the elements, these two doors will remain unfinished. Hardware is hand forged from local blacksmith Rod Dennis.

The original 1912 barn doors received historically correct forged handles and a fresh coat of stain. 

 

 

 

 

                                                                   Completed May 2021