File:Cheadle barn.jpg

English: Cheadle barn is located near the south end of the Refuge at the end of an access road on a hill just west of Muddy Creek. This barn was constructed in 1900 by Earnest Brimmer for Richard S. Irwin. Irwin owned the property until his death in the 1920's when it was transferred to two daughters, Leanna Avery and Bessie Hunsberger. In 1947 the farm was sold to the Cheadle family. The Cheadles are believed to have constructed the additions to the barn in the late 40's and 50's.

Cheadle Barn was originally constructed as a horse barn in an era when horse-drawn farming methods prevailed. The basic interior was designed to facilitate the stabling and care of both the work and saddle horses. This included stalls, feed storage and tack room. The transition to mechanized farm machinery during the 1920's rendered the horse barn obsolete. Still in its original form, the barn continued to house riding horses and milk cows and provided storage for sacked and baled feed. Later it was used as a winter shelter for cattle. In 1947 the barn was used for the care and feeding of sheep.

The barn is currently used for storage of refuge and farming permitted equipment. Cheadle Barn is on the Benton County Register of Historic Places and the National Register of historic Places.

Image title: Cheadle barn

Image from Public domain images website, http://www.public-domain-image.com/full-image/architecture-public-domain-images-pictures/house-public-domain-images-pictures/cheadle-barn.jpg.html