By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

When a farmstead that the late Joyce Carlson grew up on came up for sale in May, grandson Lucas Carlson jumped at the chance to buy it.

The farmstead, two miles north of his own homestead on 300th Rd., northeast of Lincolnville, included a quarter-section of land, a house, and a barn.

Lucas sold the house and 25 acres to his cousin, Brent Carlson.

“The barn was in good shape, and I thought I could put it to good use at my place,” Lucas said.

The barn had been there in 1917, when his great-grandfather bought the farm. Lucas still is trying to find out when it was built. Dan Peterson of Burdick put tin siding on it several years ago to preserve it.

Unruh Moving of Galva made the move, which had been planned for six months, about two weeks ago.

The barn was too wide to go down the road. It was moved across Janis Peterson’s pasture, several harvested fields, and a country road. At one point, a fence owned by Royden Albrecht had to be cut to permit passage.

Lucas said he appreciated accommodations his neighbors provided.

The barn now is sitting on concrete blocks awaiting the pouring of a concrete foundation.

“We weren’t sure how square the barn was, so we had to have it up in the air to get an accurate measurement before we poured the foundation,” Lucas said.

After some renovation, he plans to store equipment and possibly some animals in the barn.

Lucas’s father, Ronnie Carlson, was happy the old farmstead and barn were family-owned again.

“We’re glad Lucas could buy the place and get it back in the family,” he said.

Lucas also is pleased to have the barn.

“I like the barn,” he said. “If I put a foundation under it, it should last for quite a while.”