John Burfiend Barn

History

Built on land purchased by Carsten “Cass” Burfiend, Port Oneida’s original settler, on December 1, 1858, This parcel was later sold to Thomas Kelderhouse for one dollar, with the agreement that Kelderhouse would build a dock to provide access to Lake Michigan near this site. Plat maps from 1891 show John Burfiend, Carsten’s son, as the parcels owner. A structure, most likely the contemporary house was located in the southeastern corner of the site. In the eastern portion of the parcel, the Kelderhouse sawmill (no longer present) was active during Port Oneida’s years of intensive logging.

This farm was managed by John Schmidt, of the Schmidt/Hayms farm during the early 1900s. He eventually purchased the farm; his daughter Betty inherited it following his death. Mrs. Garthe recalls that the house was originally located near Lake Michigan with the other Kelderhouse buildings comprising the original logging town site, and was moved by John Burfiend to this present location.

A large wooded wetland is located across from the farm on the eastern side of Port Oneida Road. Remnant orchards are scattered across the farmyard with contemporary fruit trees planted between the house and barn. At least two vegetable gardens and several flower beds are cultivated near the house. Plant species present on the site are both functional and ornamental, including black locust, raspberries, rhubarb, grapes, asparagus, lilac, viburnum, spirea and daylilies.

The three-bay barn (ca. 1885) potentially reflects the Germanic heritage of Port Oneida. It features a star-shaped gable end cut out spirit symbol and heavy, hand-hewn timber framing. Unlike other Port Oneida barns that have splayed queen posts, it features upright queen post framing. The outbuildings, arranged parallel to Port Oneida Road between the house and barn, include a granary, a WWII-era garage, a privy, a shed, and a chicken coop. Garages and various sheds are present on several of the farms, reflecting the national trend from animal-drawn wagons and plows to equipment run with the aid of combustion engines.