HARDIN COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
Jim Beres	Gene Newgaard
Bernie Boekholder	Diann Shaner
Khris Hinrichs
P.O. Box 35 Iowa Falls, Iowa  50126 515-648-4570
For Immediate Release
February 14, 2001 Well they’re finally getting ’round to it. The “Emergency Stabilization” phase of work on the old Slayton Farms round barn has begun. This local landmark is the only surviving major structure of the turn of the century agricultural operation. It stands alone atop a hill surrounded by private homes. The barn is located just south and west of Iowa Falls, in Hardin County, at the corner of Georgetown road and 135th. St. The barn was rescued from demolition in a tax sale in 1997. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 and designated one of Iowa’s 11 most endangered National Register properties in 2000. Out of the more than 100,000 barns believed to have been built in Iowa, less than half survive today. Of all the barns in Iowa, only 180 were multi-sided or round and less than half of those survive today. This barn is one of 16 built by the Johnston Brothers Tile Works of Fort Dodge. Its walls are made of the same clay tiles that helped drain the “prairie pothole” region of Iowa and provide the nation with the most fertile soil in the world. The State REAP/HRDP has funded an “Emergency Stabilization” grant and local contractor K-Van construction has been very busy the last 4 weeks. First they had to lift the laminated ring at the roofline change area 5 inches do to a sag that had developed from missing/damaged rafters. The rafters were then replaced around a portion of the lower section of roof. The roof overhang was replaced and the repaired area was resheeted. This phase, emergency stabilization, will be complete when the roof is wrapped with house wrap donated by UBC lumberyard of Iowa Falls. The re-shingling and renovation of the roof ventilators will commence upon receipt of more grant dollars. The barn was last used in active operation in the late 60’s and many a local resident has commented, “When is somebody going to do something to save that barn”? The Hardin County Historic Preservation Commission now owns the barn and plans to rehabilitate it. Rod Scott, project manager for the county says, “By preserving this magnificent structure, we will provide our children and visitors a glimpse into the great heritage that the barn represents.” The newly renovated barn will provide interpretive educational programming and a museum for all ages. This museum will cross promote other agricultural related attractions in the area. Guided tours by appointment only are available by calling Rod Scott at 641.648.4570. Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to Hardin County Historic Preservation Commission, P.O. Box 35, Iowa Falls, IA 50126.