Building Date:
1897
Transfer of Ownership:
• Fletcher Lee owned the property at the time the barn was built.
• Lee purchased the property from Mrs. Franklin Pember, the daughter of David Wood.
• A series of owners maintained the property after it was sold by Fletcher Lee.
• These owners included the Smith Family, Mr. Heitcamp, and Bill Herman.
• Dr. and Mrs. Carl Cole purchased the house, barn, and five acres in 1987.
Interesting Details:
• According to Ann Honan, this farm has been known as “Indian River Farm.”
• The original Wells barn burned in 1937.
• In 1938, a replacement barn was built on the original stone foundation.
• A capstone noting the building year (1897) sits in the barn’s foundation.
• The standing barn no longer has the traditional laminated trusses.
• After a fire, plank trusses were used to support the new version of the barn.
• Red slate shingles help the date stand out on the barn’s gray slate roof.
• The original Wells barn burned in 1937.
• In 1938, a replacement barn was built on the original stone foundation.
• A capstone noting the building year (1897) sits in the barn’s foundation.
• The standing barn no longer has the traditional laminated trusses.
• After a fire, plank trusses were used to support the new version of the barn.
• Red slate shingles help the date stand out on the barn’s gray slate roof.
Present Owner:
This Wells barn’s last known owner was Geraldine Gilbert.
Reference:
Pratt, B., & Pratt, J. (2004). Wells barns: J.T. Wells & Sons, Scottsville, NY 1886-1942: Barns still standing. Bloomfield, NY: Bob and Judy Pratt.
Image Credits:
© Dick Thomas Photography
Archival Photo with Rainbow Courtesy of Ann Honan
Archival Barn Building Photo Courtesy of Brian Minster