Most folks are surprised to learn there were once Rock City barns in Texas. Rock City had three on their records, but Clark Byers told me there were more, including one near Tyler that belonged to an oil millionaire who was so cheap he wouldn't have indoor plumbing. But that was a long time ago, and Clark didn’t remember the location of any of them.
So, as far as can be known at this time, the last Rock City barn in Texas is on Richard Haynes' little spread on U.S. Highway 80 west of Marshall. Richard and his wife Vallie (who was born on the place) were getting along in years when I came along making pictures for the Rock City Barns book, but he still ran 17 head of registered Black Angus cattle on his 67 acres and kept the big yard mowed -- practically a full-time job in itself.
This is his second barn to carry the “See Rock City” message. The first one was a traditional style which was pulled down in the early ‘60s and replaced with the present “pole” barn. Rock City obligingly applied their sign to the new barn as well, and that’s the way it’s stayed. It’s pretty faded now, as well it should be – it was last repainted around 1967.
 |
| Richard Haynes and his barn. |
Blog Note: I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at alifeinphotography.blogspot.com. I'm trying to build up my readership, so if you're reading this on Facebook and like what I write, would you please consider sharing my posts?
(Photographs copyright David B. Jenkins 2020)
Soli Gloria Deo
To the glory of God alone
No comments:
Post a Comment