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Kansas Barn Alliance was formed with these questions in mind:
--To discover and memorialize the history and architecture of Kansas farms, especially barns. --To discover and preserve writings, blueprints, maps, and journals on the history and architecture of Kansas farms, especially barns. --To establish and maintain historic buildings, especially barns owned by the corporation. --To hold meetings and other activities for the instruction and information of supporters and the public. --To conduct tours of historic barns. --To publish periodicals on historic barns. --To sponsor academic research and studies. --To accept donations of money, real property, or other property for the above purposes. |
One mile west of Cimarron, Kan., a large wooden barn is visible from Highway 50. To some, who pass by, it is just a building. To others though, like Dennis Sangster and other members of the Kansas Barn Alliance, the barn means much more.
The barn is located on the old Warner Ranch. Rich in history, the barn reminds passerby's of times when life was much slower and buildings like these were a way of life.
Sangster became part owner of the barn on Feb. 19, 2003. He was already a member of the KBA so he knew how special old barns were and what he needed to do to keep it alive in history. The KBA is a young, not-for-profit group. Created in Jan. 2006, the KBA is an organization designed to preserve barns statewide.
Sangster got involved in the KBA by taking pictures of old barns after he retired. Bob Marsh, president of the KBA heard of his hobby and asked Sangster to get involved. They needed people--especially in western Kansas--to take pictures of and record old barns in Kansas.
In 2003, after Sangster bought the Warner Ranch with his son-in-law Jake Payne and Payne's brother, Don, he also set out to discover the history of the old wooden barn. Little did he know that he would be unlocking the past clear back to the beginning of Dodge City.
It all started when Frederick C. Zimmermann migrated to Kansas in 1872. He was one of the first to build in Dodge City. He began his business of gunsmithing and running a hardware store. In 1875 he also entered the business of lumber. It was his lumber that was used to build, the what was at first, a dairy barn.
Sangster isn't quite sure who built the barn, but he has a theory. He believes that Zimmermann's son-in-law, John Churchill, built the barn after Zimmermann had passed away in 1888.
"I'm thinking the barn was built somewhere around 1903. But that's just an educated guess," said Sangster.
He said it just seems to make sense since Churchill died in 1904.
In 1910 the barn was sold to William Moncrief. Moncrief was active in the horse racing business, so the barn then became a horse barn.
After that, the barn became known as Sunset Market. It was from here that meat and groceries were sold. Unfortunately, on May 10, 1942, a tornado struck the Dodge City area and destroyed the front of the barn. After that the grocery store had to go out of business.
Sangster said that the barn was soon repaired though, because in 1945 the barn was sold to Forrest Luther and moved to Cimarron. Moving a barn this large was a challenge, but since the war had ended, it proved possible with the help of old air base vehicles. In 1945 Everett Kemper moved the barn from the spot where the Silverspur Restaurant in Dodge City is now, to its location one mile west of Cimarron. He accomplished this great feat by sawing the barn in half.
In 1956 Leigh Warner bought the ranch and used it as a horse barn. Sangster said he remembers hearing stories of the hay loft being filled to the top with hay.
The barn remained with the Warner family until Sangster and his partners bought it at an auction in 2003. Ever since then, the barn has continued to be used as a horse barn and for extra storage. It's also the home to three large owls that continuously swoop from one end to the other.
Unfortunately, the barn is in need of repair. The roof needs to be replaced, the floor of the hay loft is unsafe in areas, and many other minor jobs need to be done. Sangster and the KBA are in the process of locating funds to help keep the barn in a safe condition.
Despite the condition that the barn is in now, Sangster has hope that the barn will make it onto the National and Kansas Historic Registry list. He is in the beginning stages of getting the barn on the list. He feels that the barn is in an ideal location since it is visible and easily accessible from Highway 50 and is on the Santa Fe Trail.
The Kansas Barn Alliance
Sangster and members of the KBA share the same desire to keep Kansas barns part of history. Members continuously look for ways to spread the word on the preservation of barns. The KBA is a young group and are looking for help anywhere they can find it. They are always searching for people who are interested in helping with a barn and farmstead survey in their area; barn owners, people to help with fundraising for repair and restoration; and people who would like to give regional tours and workshops.
Bob Marsh, president of KBA said, "What we are now encouraging is a statewide survey of barns. Anything that would motivate people to do that in their area would be helpful."
Sally Hatcher, vice president of KBA encourages people to also get involved. "We need to recruit more representation from the western part of the state. That isn't just regular members, but also board members," she said.
KBA members are constantly searching for new and interesting ways to get people excited about barn preservation. Marsh is the author and photographer of "Barns of Kansas, A Pictorial History," a book dedicated to the history of Kansas barns. Marsh and his wife drove 11,000 miles to record the history of Kansas barns. The book contains 160 pages featuring 300 photos of barns across Kansas.
Hatcher is in the process of nominating the Kansas Preservation Alliance for consideration of Barns of Kansas placement on their Most Endangered 2007 list.
"We need to make certain barns that are repaired and improved receive some sort of abatement of property taxes. It may be that not all county assessors appraise these structures the same. We need to look for grant money and, more importantly, champion some other financial incentives for barns which are not necessarily listed on the State or National Registers," said Hatcher.
"Education of barn owners regarding modifications to make barns more useful is important. Of course, there are barns having new lives as B&Bs, restaurants, antique and gift shops, churches, high-tech centers, and more," she said.
The KBA is hosting an event they call "Barn-Fest 2007" and the date is rapidly approaching. It will be held on Sept. 28-30 in Manhattan, Kan. There is a registration fee of $60 to attend on Friday and Saturday. For Friday only, it is $30 and for Saturday only, it is $40. KBA members may deduct $10 from their total fee. On Sept. 30 the KBA will hold a board meeting in which all conference participants are invited. The deadline for registration is Sept. 21.
If interested in becoming involved in the KBA, contact Marsh at P.O. Box 129, Ottawa, KS 66067. His phone number is 785-242-9561 or e-mail him at bmarsh2@sbcglobal.net. You may also contact Hatcher at 912 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS 66048. Her phone number is 913-682-8790 or by e-mail at sdhatcher@kc.rr.com. For more information about the KBA, visit their website at www.kansasbarnalliance.org.
PRESERVING BARNS—The Kansas Barn Alliance ia a not-for-profit group designed to preserve barns across Kansas like this one owned by Duane Sangster, Jake Payne and Don Payne The group will hold a Barn-Fest 2007 in Manhattan, Kan., on Sept 28 to 30. (Journal photos by Andrea Stegman.)
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