The Secrest 1883

The Secrest Octagonal Barn was built in 1883. It is located south of West Branch near the small town of Downey, Iowa. 

 

This property and its history relate to three critical agricultural periods in our nation, covering the years from 1875 to 1934. Joshua Secrest moved from Ohio to Iowa at 19 years to begin a new life during the Western Expansion of the United States. He first purchased the farmland in 1875, and several surrounding buildings. He stands as an example of the hard-work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, and developed one of the larger and more successful livestock operations in Eastern Iowa. He and his son Guy, continued to develop the farm, which flourished during the "Golden Age of Agriculture." The octagonal barn, attached feeding sheet, and tile silo exemplify that ingenious, inventive, and prosperous period. Together with thousands of other farmers in the 1920s and 30s, the Secrests tragically lost the family farmstead during the Depression. This event was announced in the Iowa City Press Citizen (Anonymous, 1934). Standing on the site, imagining the large, elaborate, productive farmstead being lost is a sobering taste of realty. Today the barn and property are owned by Rich Tyler. For more information, visit the Information page on this website.