Barns are one of farmlands most endearing sights and the subject of many a photograph. And once a year, they’re the stars of the De Kalb County Barn Tour. The 2018 event will be held on Saturday, August 11, 2018. A good base for those attending would be the Lincoln Way Inn in Franklin Grove, Illinois.
The Barn Tour is a one-day drive through the north central Illinois countryside to view iconic barns and learn about their unique history. It is jointly hosted by the DeKalb Area Agricultural Heritage Association and the JF Glidden Homestead & Historical Center. Participants will receive a map guidebook that has hand-drawn sketches of each barn, as well as a description of its design, use, and a bit of its history.
This year’s tour includes nine barns in three communities—Earlville, Paw Paw, and Leland. In addition to learning about the barn, visitors will have a chance to enjoy a different activity at each site. One must-see is at the Sanford Barn in Earlville: a miniature replica of the “Big Boy” locomotive, the largest steam powered locomotive ever built. The train was handcrafted in wood by Bob Myers and will be raffled off during the Barn Tour. Raffle tickets will be available at each location along the tour.
Rollo Town Hall in Earlville will be open the day of the tour. You can buy tickets here and they will be offering a lunch option from Red Home Farm featuring grass fed beef. Lunch will also be available at Willard-Kern Barn in Paw Paw.
DeKalb County Barn Tour
August 11, 2018
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tour tickets: $25/vehicle
Raffle tickets: $5/1 ticket, $20, 5 tickets.
You’ll find Lincoln Way Inn on the outskirts of Franklin Grove, just 30 minutes south of Paw Paw. The charming Inn features beautiful grounds, nice outdoor spaces to relax, six spacious suites, and a perfect mix of luxury and country living.
Lincoln Way Inn
409 N. State Street, Franklin Grove, IL
815-456-7700
Lincoln Way Inn is a member of the Illinois Bed and Breakfast Association … a unique lodging experience!