A Louden Litter Carrier like this one will be on display in one of the barns.

Photos -- January 2008

"Dig" article, Aug 2007

Photos -- July 2007

Photos -- the barns, 2005

Photos -- draft horses at work in 2004

Old photographs taken by the Maasdam family

About the Farmstead, by Keith Shafer

Historic Study prepared for Iowa DOT
(requires Acrobat Reader).
Includes older photos. Large file, will open in a new browser window.

The historic Maasdam Barns at Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm are a significant illustration of an early 20th-century draft-horse breeding business.

The Good Roads Guide to Iowa - 1912 stated:
"Jefferson County is one of the great original horse markets of the country and several thousand head of horses have been sold here annually. Several firms of horse importers make their headquarters here and always have stock for sale."

From 1910 until 1938 award-winning Percheron draft horses were raised and sold by J. G. Maasdam.

The two 1910 barns are characteristic of Louden barn designs of that era. They used modern barn construction methods recommended by the Louden Barn Planning Service, such as poured concrete walls. The interior door hangers, the hay track, and some other parts are Louden barn products.

Apparently the 1906 show barn was built by then-owner Ellsworth Turney. The Joel Turney & Company built well-known farm wagons, becoming a leading Fairfield employer. (More details about the Joel Turney & Company at building # 44 on the Fairfield Heritage Tour).

Learn about Louden stanchions, which may be on display.

Also, an early Louden hay carrier may be on display.

See the World's Largest Horse at Maasdam Barns.

January 18, 2008 -- News item from 1570 KMCD, Your Hometown Station
by Emily Humble, News Director

Work Progresses on the Maasdam Barns

A piece of Jefferson County history returns to its original state. The Maasdam Barns, located on Highway 1 south of Fairfield, received a HRDP grant to repair the roofs to the historic structures. Dick Reed, Supervisor and of the Maasdam Barns Preservation Committee, says they just started the work a couple of weeks ago.

"We're replacing the shingles on the mare's barn, it's the first one down the lane," Reed says. "They are wood, cedar shingles like the originals. The barn also originally had a wooden cupola on it. Since the buildings are for educational purposes we're trying to restore them back to the original."

Dan Reneker has been working to create a replica of the former cupola that was atop the barn, and Reed says things are staring to look really nice at the site.

"Once we're done with this barn, we'll start working on the others," Reed says. "But it takes a while when you're using volunteers. We've really been helped out a lot by grants, as well as donations from area residents for the project."

Plans for the site also include moving a house there to serve as a welcome center to Fairfield and the barns. At this time, Reed says negotiations are still taking place to move a specific house to the location that fits the time period of the barns.