community
october23
2012
Vernonia Family Brings an Old Farm Back to Life continued from front page
camp cabins.
In addition to the home
improvements, the Elys have done some
other major work on the property since
they acquired it. They moved in around
Thanksgiving of 2006; in February of
2007 the old barn collapsed. Allen says
he had previously secured the barn with
two large ¾ inch cables to keep it from
patio furniture.
Allen says he estimates the old
barn was built around 1900 and says he
remembers an older gentleman stopping
by and saying that he helped put the tin
roof on the barn after the war. “I asked
him, ‘Which war?’” laughs Allen. “He
said, ‘WWII.’”
The Star windmill that the Elys
just
installed
was built by
Flint & Walling
and is a ten foot
model number
1937,
built
somewhere
between 1937
and 1953. Jack
Finzel,
who
has an interest
in
antique
steam engines
and other old
In February 2006 the old barn on Ely’s property collapsed. Jeff Ely m a c h i n e r y ,
rebuilt it by salvaging the roofing and exterior barn boards. He also found
the
recently erected an antique windmill. Photo courtesy of Susan Ely. w i n d m i l l
falling out towards the road but knew the (which did not include a tower for it)
structure was tenuous. For the Ely’s, the and purchased it at a swap meet in
barn (and the barn owl that lived inside) Brooks, OR several years ago. He
was a major selling point when they recently found out that the Elys were
decided to buy. “When we came to look looking for one and sold it to them. He
at the place it was a perfect fall weekend then helped them install it. Jeff Ely built
and there were apples on the tree, the the tower and raised it is September with
leaves were all turning, and it just looked the help of Dennis Weller of Weller and
so perfect with the old barn that even had Sons Logging. The windmill is fully
a barn owl looking down on us.” The functional and could operate a pump
Elys were hooked and moved in soon on a well; the Elys just like it because it
afterwards. Then the barn collapsed.
looks good and don’t have any plans to
Jeff Ely and his brother had use it for anything else.
some experience building barns when
Finzel equates it to a type of yard
they were younger, and so Jeff rebuilt art. “There’s a certain ‘cool factor,’” he
this barn himself. Ely used new wood says. ”Every time I drive by here and
for the interior structure but used the I see it spinning it puts a smile on my
original barn boards for the outside and face.”
reused the old tin roof as well. Ely says
The rudder has original
he reoriented the barn on the property printing on both sides and includes the
and also built it wider and not as tall manufacturer, Flint & Walling as well as
as the original. They have also used the retailer, Mitchell, Lewis and Staver,
some of the hand-hewn wood that was which, according to Finzel, was a west
left over in projects around the property, coast hardware distributor. It even
including handrails in the barn and says Portland on it. All of the original
lettering was repainted by hand with
enamel paint to give it a few more years
of visibility.
According to research Finzel
has been able to uncover,
the windmill has a unique
shaped blade. “Apparently this company
had a wind tunnel available and did
some experimenting with blade styles,”
said Finzel. “And they claimed that
this particular blade style is 30% more
efficient than the squared off edged ones
that had previously been built.”
According to Susan Ely the
property is in farm deferral, which
means they actively work to generate
income through farming. The family has
raised lambs and sold plants in addition
to raising meat rabbits and chickens for
eggs. They also have a horse and two
Nubian goats, which are considered
pets and entertainment. They are also
growing strawberries, tomatoes, beans,
peas, cucumbers, potatoes, onions,
peppers, basil, spinach, lettuce and huge
blackberries!
The Elys have re-
created their own version of
a homestead in Vernonia and
are enjoying, and sharing the
fruits of their labors. For
them, it’s a little slice of
history and of heaven.
Columbia River Foursquare Church
555 Commons Drive, St. Helens
(across from the DMV)
• Updates on Services available to Veterans in the County
• Mobile Vet Center (MVC) will be onsite
• Brochures/Information on Veteran’s Benefits
#9 California Roll/ $5.50
19
#19 Cucumber Salad $1.25
#14 Edamame (Soybeans) $1.25