Town of Ira historian Dorothy Southard has compiled a historical look at the barns in her county. This is the third in a series on buildings that have become an iconic sight throughout this rural town.

The original dairy barn of the Jim Lunkenheimer farm burned in the mid-1930s. The first 55 feet of the present dairy barn was built in 1938 when Jim's grandfather owned the farm.

In 1960-61, the second 55-foot section of the barn was constructed by Leo Lunkenheimer, Jim's dad. You cannot tell from the road that the second section of the barn was added on. It is in this section of the barn that Ira Fire Department held barn dances to raise money for the fire department.

Before the pipeline milking system was installed in the spring of 1966, Jim told me that they used to ship 60 cans of milk to the Martville milk station. Jim would deliver the 40-quart cans for his dad, Jim and his wife, Linda, purchased the farm from Leo in 1966-67.

In 1971, they added 60 more feet to the main dairy barn. This addition is a single-story structure. The tool shed east of the house has hay storage in one end for round bales and cattle and Haflinger horses in the rest of the shed. A small building is the shop and another small barn is the former hog house. Jim told me that it is hard to decide whether to repair the old buildings or build new because of the cost for repairs. I hope that he maintains his buildings so future generations of Lunkenheimers can enjoy them.

The barn on the Kazulak's property (Route 370 opposite Cato-Meridian High School) and the barn on the L. Romanelli's property, Bradt Road, were built by the same carpenter who used the same basic plans. These barns look almost identical: red with white trim, hip roof and a silo in front.

The Kazulak family painted their barn during the summer of 2006. This helps preserve it. The other barn on Bradt Road still stands but is not used. One wonders how much longer it will last.

Opposite Cato-Meridian Middle School is a barn on the former Palmer Titus farm. Part of this property is owned by Dean D. Cummins. He has plans for turning the barn into a residence with offices in the basement. You may notice new windows that have been installed above the basement's door. Thanks to Dean for preserving a local barn structure.

On Route 34, about a mile or less north of the village of Cato line is a dairy barn owned by Larry and Bonnie Wallace. Over the years that they have owned the farm, three tractor-trailers and one car have gone into this barn. Numerous other cars and pickups have caused damage to parts of the barn. There is a flat curve north of the barn and if the road is wet, icy, etc. or if you are coming too fast, you will lose control of your vehicle.

Guardrails along the road guide you right into the barn structure.

Along Route 34 North, barns were built right on the edge of the highway. Wallace's is the first one, next is the former Valois Baldwin barn now Melfi's, and then another Wallace barn (now gone).

The barns were built next to the roads because they didn't have any flat land to build them on.

By utilizing the hillside, basements were accessible as walk-in/out and hay storage above went in at ground level (no ramp).

Next week, a look at the seven sets of barns owned by Floyd Southard.

Dorothy Southard is the town of Ira historian.