Little by little, Swain County's history vanishes every year, both in terms of the loss of the people who once called it home, but also in the buildings that are torn down for various reasons. Lately I've been taking long drives through the county in search of old places to photograph before they, too, disappear forever. Today in lieu of a lengthy piece, I thought I'd share some photos of some of the old barns in the county - both past and present. Most of these are from the western end of the county.
If any of you, my wonderful readers,have particular memories of these barns or the folks who owned them, please do share in the comments or via email (oldeswain@gmail.com). Additionally, if you know of any old barns that you'd like to see photographed, please reach out to me and I'll be happy to do that so long as they are easily accessed (I'd love to do another photo series on them).
Enjoy!
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Upper Brush Creek
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Bryson Branch (note the antique car under it)
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Cowan Wikle's barn in Lauada (just off NC 28)
Information provided by Bill Burnette |
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| Old Deep Creek Road |
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| Silvermine Creek |
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| Wesser Creek |
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| Lower Brush Creek |
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Sources:
All photos taken by Wendy Meyers
Bill Burnette (ownership of barn in Lauada)
All photos taken by Wendy Meyers
Bill Burnette (ownership of barn in Lauada)
That is awesome, Ed - I love to hear the memories associated with the barns and this one's a great one (cracked me up). Can you remind me of where Mose Wikle's place was? If on Wiggins Creek, was it to the right or the left at the split?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful barns, important work, and precious legacy's.... of know-how, of the strong rugged and wise men who built them
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reading and enjoying! You are so right about the legacies they have left for posterity.
DeleteThat is so sad about Mose!
ReplyDeleteI have a picture of Jeff and Tiny Wikle that was taken of them sitting in chairs in front of a very expansive field (as far as the eye could see). It's definitely not that way anymore - very wooded.
Ed, I sent you a message regarding this. I no longer can access it but would dearly love to see it again.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ed - I will go out there in the next couple of weeks and take a look - and of course grab a picture for you. (Especially after your great story)
ReplyDelete