Reprinted with permission from Smoky Mountain Living Magazine

Classic Barns of the Smoky Mountains
by Michael Meissner

Barns have a special place in Americana. They are the subject of many artists’ canvases; the pastoral settings conjure up romantic notions of the not-to-distant past. Hay lofts and the mooing of cows, horses and crowing roosters in the rafters each add to a sense of what’s inside, but often overlooked is the pure simplicity and functionality of the structures themselves. Since the 1600s barns were designed neither as architectural masterpieces nor for aesthetics. They were of the simplest construction, efficient in material use and were often designed to accommodate exactly what the farmstead needed; no more, no less. If the farm only had a single cow, the barn would have a single stall to accommodate it. Likewise, pigs would have a pen; there would also be a crib for corn, etc. At the turn of the last century, most folks living in the Smokies farmed at least to a minimal extent and most farmed for their own sustenance. Barns of all sizes and shapes were common place in the mountains. As the economy changed and people no longer relied on backyard farming for their food, grocery stores became the standard way in which meat and produce were made available. Sadly, barns have started disappearing as a relic of a bygone era.

Cantilever Barns—Utilitarian and Practical
The pinnacles of functionality are the unusual cantilever barns of Cades Cove. From the novice’s perspective, they resemble Frank Lloyd Wright creations with their large overhanging eaves. Built in the late 1800s by incredible woodworkers, and maintained to this day by the National Park System, these unique designs accommodate multiple stalls and a large loft area for storage. The center hall provided for wagon parking out of the elements, and easy unloading of hay into the loft. The overhangs provided cover so the livestock could feed even in heavy snows. The overhangs also provided maximum ventilation so hay did not mold. Cows can digest molded hay, but horses will get colic if they eat it, so keeping it dry was critical. Others speculate that the small footprints of the barns were a reaction to the taxation based upon ground floor square footage, but understanding the functionality of the unusual design leaves little doubt about why the barns were constructed that way. Despite their efficiency, cantilever barns were not common, and the design was limited to Eastern Tennessee, and a few in the Western North Carolina mountains.

Pole Barns—Form and Function
Another common design in the Smokies is the pole barn. Built around poles in each corner, the posts were often made from yellow locust, which resists rotting when exposed to damp ground. The rest of the framing rests on these corners. Old timers say that after 25 years, the locust turns to concrete. This design allows for greater heights that tobacco barns need in order to hang and dry their contents. The choice siding for most barns up until the early 1900s was American chestnut, which was sought after because of its hardwood density and its resistance to bugs. When people refer to “barn wood” in furniture, flooring, picture frames, etc., they are referring to wormy chestnut which was once the siding on an old barn. It is often dismantled and refinished to revive its beautiful, warm qualities.

Evolving Barn Shapes
Barns shapes change from region to region, reflecting the specific needs of each farm. The typical barn shape in the Smokies uses a “gambled” roof. The multi-pitch roof maximizes loft space while providing a very strong roof without the need for inside supports, which would limit storage space. This is the classic shape that most Americans associate with barns. The shape doesn’t change much as you travel west through the Tennessee countryside. Once you leave the Smokies the gambled shape takes on an overhang from the center peaks, like a bill on a baseball cap. This is seen more as an aesthetic preference, rather then a functional necessity. The overhang provides cover for the large openings at the peaks to keep out rain while still providing excellent ventilation.

Splinters from the Past
Despite the declining number of barns due to age and the lack of a need for them in the American countryside, there are those who restore or build barns the way they once were. At the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center in Townsend, Tennessee, there stands a relocated cantilever barn from Sevier County—a testament to the importance this unique design once held in the Smoky Mountains. The Center is a tribute to the life, struggles and culture of the mountain people dating back 5,000 years with the Native Americans and up until the early 1900s. More information on the Center can be found online at www.gsmheritagecenter.org.

While visiting Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park you can see some of the best examples of restored barns, some of which are just a short stroll from the road. You can inspect the structures, climb into the hay lofts and marvel at the simplicity of the designs up close. Unlike the restored cabins and dwellings that accompany the barns, the barns are essentially fully functional and would be a good choice for a farmer’s needs even in this modern day. If you don’t mind a little dust, the occasional splinter, and the smell of old wood, you’ll enjoy a special first-hand visit.