The Curtiss carriage barn burns. The structure, built in the 1860s, was removed to make way for Salem's Community Park./Photo by VALENTINE
Submitted by Linda Valetnine
Secretary, Western Kenosha Countuy Historical Society, and Salem town chairman
Many could see the smoke fill the sky over Thursday and today but couldnt take the time to make a visit. Not to worry, here are a few shots of the source of the smoke.
The passive area of the Community Park on 256th between Highways SA and AH in Salem was in need of some building removal and town highway personnel have been at it for the last days. A large horse barn and arena took several days to disassemble and the small structures, all relatively recent creations — a corn crib, garage, smoke house and sheep shed — all saw their end.
The barn before the burning started./Photo by VALENTINE
Of import to many who remember that we were a farming community and have been since the late 1830s will be the note that the Curtiss carriage barn has seen its last noon hour. By 2:30 p.m. Friday, it was reduced to a large field stone foundation, large sill plate timbers and main support beams hand hewn many years ago.
The barn had a long life. Built approximately 1860, it suffered through a tornado in early 1930s, when most of the roof was cast to the wind. Horses, cows and carriages all called it home over the years. Today, only a passel of barn swallows zoomed in and out of all the open doors and windows and hay loft openings.
There will be those who will cry for the loss and truly, it is sad to see the last bit of proof that a family did settle this land very early in our Salem history, cleared it, farmed it, enjoyed the life in this very place. Efforts had been made to salvage portions of the old barn but time, inattention and the urgency to complete a project as defined by a grant made the action of these last days necessary.
Over time, the Western Kenosha County Historical Society will have an overview of the family who settled here — the Curtiss Family and their children and their children’s children. They were important arrivals here from New York, third and fourth generation Americans themselves.They engaged in business in Liberty and later in Salem and
were active in government locally and at the county level. They enjoyed the benefits of their creek, which we too, will enjoy in the near future. They enjoyed the benefits of the railroad as it tranversed through Trevor and enjoyed the monetary benefits of thousands of sheep requiring a place to overnight and grow fat on the sweet grasses of
the fields that surrounded this carriage barn, lovely creek and lakeside.
For now, a few pictures of before, after and during the demise of a small barn that just got caught up in progress. In short order, look for announcements from the town about the opening of the passive park area for the enjoyment of all of the townsmen and the chance to experience an open, beautiful natural area.
After the burning, the stone foundation was about all that was left. /Photo by VALENTINE
