John Baird McDevitt Barn

Address:

691 Upper Brush Creek Road, Marshall, NC 8753

Year Built: 1935 to 1940

Historic Owners: John Baird McDevitt, Johnnie McDevitt

Description:

Seen across the broad bottomland of Upper Brush Creek, the John Baird McDevitt barn is the largest, and one of the earliest barns in Madison County built for air-curing burley tobacco as its primary use. Prior to the 1930s, burley tobacco was cured in the lofts of livestock barns or in tall log barns that were adapted from flue-cured tobacco barn types. John Baird McDevitt, known as “Beard” to his friends, along with his brother Roy McDevitt, accumulated much of the land in the Upper Brush Creek valley during their lives, and grew or leased many acres of tobacco. The barn is a full 80 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 37 feet high, with a large equipment shed addition. The height allows for at least seven tier pole levels, higher than other burley barns in the county. An unusual characteristic is the lack of ventilation for air flow, necessary for effective air curing of the tobacco, perhaps indicating that the need for air flow was not yet fully understood for this new type of barn. Another feature of this barn is the well-constructed concrete foundation.

Historic Use: Burley tobacco, storage, livestock

Type of Construction: Post and Beam, Sawn lumber, and Stud Frame

Siding Materials: Milled Boards

Roof Shape: Gable

Roofing Materials: 5-V metal

Roof Framing: Milled rafters

Foundation: Concrete

Species of Wood: Chestnut and Various Other

Hinges: Commercial Metal

Fasteners: Wire nails

Additional Features:

Outbuildings: utility building across the driveway, gable roof

NOTE: The information above is an abridged list. For the full unabridged list (complete details), please download the PDF of the Data Form above.