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Sunday, March 27, 2022

Ken Caryl Ranch's Historic Barn


The suburban community I live in, which is located in the foothills of Colorado west of Denver, was once a cattle ranch with its first owner, John C. Schaffer, purchasing the land in 1914.  In 1921 he hired Littleton builder William F. Sorensen to build a barn to house his purebred, award-winning, Hereford cattle.  The barn survives and was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Information from the History Colorado website:
"The barn is an excellent example of the gambrel-roof variant of the Transverse Frame Barn type as executed in the western United States. Character-defining features include the barn’s rectangular plan; gambrel roof with cupola ridge ventilators; second-story hayloft; hay hood and hayloft doors at the gable end; symmetrical interior organization with two interior aisles flanked by stalls running the length of the barn; and large sliding barn doors on the front and rear walls at the ends of the aisles. The unusual choice to use structural clay tile as a wall material adds to the barn’s significance."



You can read more about the barn by clicking on the photo above to enlarge the photo.

You can also see an interesting YouTube video about John C. Shaffer and his beautiful ranch on this link.




Our community's historic society had an open house this past fall to allow visitors to tour the barn and learn its history.  It now houses horses and is part of the Ken Caryl Ranch Equestrian and Training Center, which also contains two fully groomed outdoor arenas and a large indoor arena.





The enormous hayloft construction in the barn was amazing to view!



It has strong construction that has withstood much weather and time.



Our community has over 4,800 acres of native Colorado open space and many miles of trails that Ken-Caryl Ranch resident hikers, bicycle riders, and horse riders can access.  



It really is a wonderful place to live! 

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34 comments:

  1. LindaMarch 28, 2022 at 12:04 AM

    That is an amazing barn! You do live in such a beautiful place!

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  2. eileeninmdMarch 28, 2022 at 6:28 AM

    Hello,

    The barn is amazing, I am glad it was added to the Register of Historic places. The last landscape and view is beautiful, you do live in a gorgeous place. Take care, have a happy new week!

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  3. Carol @Comfort Spring StationMarch 28, 2022 at 7:58 AM

    that barn is beautiful!

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  4. TomMarch 28, 2022 at 9:25 AM

    ...that's quite a barn! It's interesting to see the clay tiles on the lower area in the front. Years ago they were used to build silos here.

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  5. Dixie @ Arranged WordsMarch 28, 2022 at 10:41 AM

    The gambrel roof looks amazing.
    What an intricate mass of beams.
    Always wonderful to see the beauty there.
    Enjoy the week.

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  6. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsMarch 28, 2022 at 11:01 AM

    I love barns and that one is amazing! You live in a wonderful place!

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  7. Sallie (FullTime-Life)March 28, 2022 at 11:20 AM

    That IS one gorgeous well-made barn! And such interesting history of it and of your town (as so many communities in Colorado seem to have). A lovely place to live indeed and those miles of trails are a definite bonus!

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  8. Barbara RogersMarch 28, 2022 at 11:39 AM

    A beautiful building, designed for its purpose, and well made! You do live in a gorgeous area of the country!

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  9. NCSueMarch 28, 2022 at 11:57 AM

    Fascinating to see the barn's construction.
    Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-new-venture-for-me.html

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  10. Hena TayebMarch 28, 2022 at 12:34 PM

    Beautiful, looks like a lovely place. Would love to go horse back riding there.

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  11. stevebethereMarch 28, 2022 at 3:16 PM

    Love that barn thanks for the tour :-)

    Have a barnytastic week 👍

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  12. ~Lavender Dreamer~March 28, 2022 at 3:27 PM

    You have so many beautiful places to drive and walk! It's amazing! Hope the week is nice and you can enjoy some time outside! Hugs, Diane

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  13. JaniceMarch 28, 2022 at 3:57 PM

    Well-maintained old barns are a joy to find.

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  14. Lydia C. LeeMarch 28, 2022 at 4:03 PM

    They knew how to build them back then! #BlueMonday

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  15. Glenda CatesMarch 28, 2022 at 4:43 PM

    Thank you for sharing this post which I can share with my son for our Homeschool History Class.

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  16. William KendallMarch 28, 2022 at 7:37 PM

    That barn is a treasure.

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  17. AmilaMarch 29, 2022 at 1:14 AM

    This barn is great. I like to visit such a place. Beautiful pictures with horses as well.

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  18. AngieMarch 29, 2022 at 1:14 AM

    Pat - what a unique style of barn! I am delighted that it was conserved, remains in good condition and has been put to good use! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

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  19. Laura | Everyday EditsMarch 29, 2022 at 1:11 PM

    HI Pat,
    Love your Colorado posts! I know that area well! Our boys were tennis players and drilled over there on the weekends!

    xo laura in Colorado

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  20. ellen b.March 29, 2022 at 4:02 PM

    I've always loved a gambrel roof. That's great looking barn. You have a wonderful community!

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  21. JeanieMarch 30, 2022 at 11:07 AM

    What a stunning barn. You don't see them like that anymore. That hayloft is really fantastic -- beautiful in every way!

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  22. BillMarch 31, 2022 at 11:59 AM

    A beautiful and impressive barn.

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  23. IreneMarch 31, 2022 at 5:20 PM

    What a beautiful place, and very interesting structures.

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  24. Spare Parts and PicsMarch 31, 2022 at 5:39 PM

    A beautiful location indeed. I love the heavy, solid construction on the barn. It will be around for a long time!

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  25. Yogi♪♪♪March 31, 2022 at 6:39 PM

    That barn is something special and sure is stout. I love that it is still being used. That's how barns survive, through use.
    Your area sure looks like a great place to live even if they don't allow drones.

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  26. JimApril 1, 2022 at 5:29 AM

    Beautiful.

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  27. Joanne April 1, 2022 at 6:03 AM

    That is a beautiful barn! I love playing local tourist in our area too; it seems like there is always something new to discover.

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  28. Lowcarb team memberApril 1, 2022 at 5:04 PM

    You live in a beautiful area.
    That hayloft construction in the barn is enormous isn't it.

    All the best Jan

    PS Happy April Wishes

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  29. Lydia C. LeeApril 1, 2022 at 6:46 PM

    And back for #Skywat

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  30. carol l mckennaApril 1, 2022 at 7:28 PM

    That is an awesome barn and wonderful series of photos ~ Xo

    Wishing you love and laughter in your days,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  31. diane bApril 1, 2022 at 10:46 PM

    An amazing barn and history. You sure did pick a good spot to live.

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  32. betty-NZApril 2, 2022 at 6:08 AM

    What a fun bit of history in your own back yard!

    Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!

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  33. NatureFootstepApril 3, 2022 at 3:53 PM

    lol, that is one beautiful barn :)

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  34. Rambling WoodsApril 4, 2022 at 3:14 PM

    That is a beautiful barn as others have said....Michelle

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