Michigan-based photographer John McCormick shares some photos and information about his favorite historic barns in the state.

"Fieldstone Barns of Antrim" Antrim County, East Jordan MichiganPigeons huddle for warmth on the roof of this Century old field-stone Barn in this cold January evening scene. The Fresh powdery snow slides off it's steep sides.



I have seen many old barns in my Michigan travels, but this one amazes me, and is now my favorite. Everywhere I went on the back roads of this area, of East Jordan and Mancelona, I found something old built from field-stone . An old Gothic Czechoslovakian church clad with stone, old homesteads, foundations, and other structures like the dam walls in the photo I uploaded yesterday. The El-Jireh Farm, East Jordan,Michigan.  Pigeons huddle for warmth on the roof of this century old field-stone barn.  I found many old stone structures while roaming the back roads of East Jordan and Mancelona. Some of the structures I found were:  an old Gothic Czechoslovakian church clad with stone, old homesteads, and other building remnants. This winter evening photo was taken right after a fresh foot of snow had fallen. The pretty pastel sky, and fresh white snow really highlighted the beauty of this historic barn. 

BufkaBeautiful Fall colors at one of Michigan's Historic Barn locations.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National lakeshore. Reasonable stock photo Licensing / Personal Downloads The Bufka Farm, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. A picturesque array of historic buildings with colorful autumn leaves as a backdrop. This is one of many historic barns you can discover while cruising the 116 miles of scenic M-22's countryside. When fall colors are peaking you'll want to have your camera with you for this scenic drive. The Bufka farm is located in the northern part of Sleeping Bear Dunes on the west side of M-22

                               DH Day Farm - Sleeping Bear Dunes National LakeshoreBeautiful Autumn evening at the DH Day Farm , Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

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The D.H Day Farm, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This barn is located just south of the Glen Haven Historic Village. Built in the 1880's, this barn is one of the most photographed in Michigan, and for good reason. It is one well cared for majestic structure, and an iconic landmark. Like the Bufka barn, fall colors are fantastic here. Be sure to drive the maple tree-lined Day Farm Road just south of the farm.

Old Barn and the Milky WayMilky Way Galaxy and a sky full of stars in rural Montcalm County, Michigan Old Barn and the Milky Way, Vestaburg, Michigan.  The Miky Way towering above an old weathered barn in Montcalm County Michigan. I don't know the history of many of the barns I've photographed, but if barns could talk?  Maybe they'd tell stories of the families that lived there, harvest times, or the many storms they withstood. This old barn is near a homstead my parents once owned many years ago. My mother used to call this area "The rolling hills of Vestaburg". This barn sits atop one of those little rolling hills.

    "Good Ol'e Day's" Old Abandoned Log Cabin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula"Old barn in Upper Michigan" A Rustic Old Barn in Upper Michigan.  While driving the back-roads of the Ottawa National Forest near Sidnaw, Michigan, we discovered this old barn sinking into the spongy forest floor. I believe it was built by immigrants to the Sidnaw area.  I've read that these settlers built their barns with hand-hewn log cabins attached. This old structure is fun to photograph, and really speaks to the history of this area. I wonder how hard winters were here for folks back in that era.
   

Fresh Winter snow at a Michigan barn and farm ( Old Barns Gallery )Snow covered hay bales and trees at a Michigan barn & farm "A White Christmas"   This snowy winter scene was taken on Christmas Day, 2014. We are fortunate to still have all of the beautiful historic farms and barns in Michigan's countryside. Seeing these farms is a glimpse from the past, a view you would've gotten many many years ago. This historic Michigan farm and barn is just down the road from our home here in Montcalm County.

Autumn barn chassel MichiganAutumn in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. This old barn is near Chassel , Mi. Arched Roof Barn, Chassell, Michigan.(Keweenaw Peninsula).  This barn is nestled in the back of a field along the treeline. It caught our eye because of it's interesting shaped roof. I did a little research and this is called an arched roof barn, or rainbow arch. The Keweenaw Peninsula averages more snowfall than any other location east of the Mississippi River. Many of the homes you see in that area have steep-pitched roofs because of the heavy snows. I'm guessing the barn builders back in those days, Finnish and Swedish immigrants, might've preferred this roof style for that same reason.

"The last days of an old barn" Rural Montcalm County MichiganAn old leaning barn in rural Montcalm County Michigan The Tilted Barn, Riverdale, Michigan.  Driving around the heartland of Michigan you’ll notice that many of the old barns have seen better days. Each year I see them tilting a little more, losing a few more boards, and sadly falling into disrepair. Old barns like these are symbolic to the agricultural heritage of Michigan. My mother asked me to photograph this one, and I'm glad I did as it collapsed the following spring. On a positive note, many of these old barns find new life as reclaimed lumber

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I highly recommend checking out all of my Michigan photo galleries, links are at the top of this page. Prints, canvas wraps and image licensing available. If you have a moment, pleas feel free to share via the social media buttons provided.

Thank you very much!

-John