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Photos of Nebraska Barns There's something magical about old barns. Like many folks, I can't go by one without pausing to wonder about the stories it could tell, not to mention study its ingeniously simple architecture, marvel at its craftsmanship or admire its grace and durability.  There probably are many reasons why barns tug at our emotional sleeve and urge us to take a closer look. To begin with, they're more than just a collection of beams, siding and shingles; they're bridges to the past. Barns nostalgically remind us of a simpler time. They speak of security and warmth, of a harvest home for the winter and of beloved farm animals snug and safe from the elements.   -- Ken Wysocky, Editor of "This Old Barn," Country Books 1996

This unusual round, brick barn is near Minden in Kearney County.

In some cases, cities have grown up around barns. This one in Lincoln is on South Street between 56th and 70th streets.   Photos by Peter G. Beeson Associate Director Nebraska Humanities Council

An abandoned barn sits in a field of corn stubble east of Douglas in Otoe County.

This barn is near the Valentine Wildlife Refuge in Cherry County.

Modern barns, like this one northwest of Lincoln in Lancaster County, differ from their forebears in design and construction.

Christmas lights adorn this barn off of Denton Road southwest of Lincoln in Lancaster County.

A barn near Elwood in Gosper County proclaims a patriotic spirit.

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The Engebretsens put hay into the haymow for storage, with the help of a team of Percheron draft horses that Nels Engebretsen had raised.

These photographs and background description were submitted by Virginia Engebretsen of Morrill, Nebraska: These are pictures of the barn on my grandfather's ranch east of Harrison, Nebraska. Nels Engebretsen built this barn from lumber taken from his land on the Pine Ridge of Nebraska. I think the barn was built in 1913. It was 40 feet high at the gable ends, 40 feet wide and 100 feet long. Nels raised horses and mules for sale to Fort Robinson and to area farmers and ranchers. He also raised short horn cattle. Several times he shipped mules and horses, by rail, to Tennessee and Kentucky to replace animals lost to sleeping sickness. This barn can still be seen about eight miles east of Harrison on Highway 20, looking about one mile to the north of the highway. The ranch is no longer in the Engebretsen family, but it had been in the Engebretsen family for more that 100 years. These photographs were taken in the late teens or early 1920s by a family member.

Taken about the same time as the one above, but in the winter, as they were preparing to feed the cattle and horses.

This photo was taken a few years later than the others, after other outbuildings had been erected.

For more information, contact the Nebraska Humanities Council. Phone 402-474-2131 or e-mail nhc@nebraskahumanities.org

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