Historic Barns of Connecticut

Designations

• State Historic Resource Inventory

Historic Significance

The Johnson Barn is located on the property of the Brooks Smith House which was erected in 1812.  The house was altered from a 5 bay center chimney to a 3 bay facade in the first half of the 20th century.  The property is located in the rural community of Haddam Neck and is surrounded by open hay fields and has been in the Johnson Family for over 100 years.

This well preserved New England style barn is currently home to Johnson Millwork, Inc and located along the east side of Quarry Hill with sweeping views of the Moodus Hills.  The barn in its current form was erected in 1915-16 following a fire which destroyed an older barn.  The following account is given on the fire: ” Tuesday the barn on the property of Washington Smith, so called, owned by Axel William Johnson, burned to the ground.  Fire was discovered by Mike W. Wall, teaman, when he was about a quarter of a mile away.  He yelled and drove so as to alarm neighbors.  The horses were gotten out by George, 16 year old son and Mr. Wall, bags of grain and other moveable property.  Four cows and three young stock were burned.  The four year old son of Johnson had been playing with matches in the barn.  His mother gave instant aid, then Dr.Lawson.  He was burned on the face and hands, arms and legs.  He still carries the scars.  Horses died from burns. - From History of Haddam Neck, by Lillian Brooks.

Ella Johnson Christensen (age 100 in 2007) remembers the fire and the states that her brother was badly burned and they lost 14 cows.  It was the only time she saw her father cry.

The barn was rebuilt and in 1950 Johnson Millwork was started here.  The firm specializes in custom woodwork and additions have been added to accomodate the business.

Field Notes

This well preserved New England style barn is currently home to Johnson Millwork, Inc and located in the rural community of Haddam Neck. The barn in its current form was erected in 1915-16 following a fire which destroyed an older barn. The following account is given on the fire: " Tuesday the barn on the property of Washington Smith, so called, owned by Axel William Johnson, burned to the ground. Fire was discovered by Mike W. Wall, teaman, when he was about a quarter of a mile away. He yelled and drove so as to alarm neighbors. The horses were gotten out by George, 16 year old son and Mr. Wall, bags of grain and other moveable property. Four cows and three young stock were burned. The four year old son of Johnson had been playing with matches in the barn. His mother gave instant aid, then Dr.Lawson. He was burned on the face and hands, arms and legs. He still carries the scars. Horses died from burns. - From History of Haddam Neck, by Lillian Brooks. Ella Johnson Christensen (age 100 in 2007) remembers the fire and the states that her brother was badly burned but they lost 14 cows. It was the only time she saw her father cry. The barn was rebuilt and in 1950 Johnson Millwork was started here. The firm specializes in custom woodwork and additions have been added to accomodate the business.

Use (Historic)

• agriculture

Use (Present)

• workspace

Exterior Visible from Public Road?

Yes

Demolished

n/a

Location Integrity

Original Site

Related features

n/a

Environment features

Relationship to surroundings

n/a

Building Typology

• New England

Materials

• Vertical Siding

Structural System

• Balloon Frame

Roof materials

• Asphalt Shingle

Roof type

• Gable

Approximate Dimensions

27 x 36

Date Compiled

01/25/2008

Compiled By

Elizabeth Malloy

Sources

director@haddamhistory.org