Grant-Kohrs Ranch Historic Structures Report

The ranch existed as an active entity from 1862 to 1972, during which time numerous utilitarian buildings and support structures of one kind or an other were erected and torn down. To date, the existence of sixteen no longer extant buildings have been detected either as ruins, foundations, or in documents. Labeled "Non-Extant" Structures to differentiate them from Historic Structures, and given letter labels instead of numbers, they are discussed below, and are shown on the historic base map.

A. Non-Extant Structure A (Machine Shed)

This long building appears on the 1907 map skewered lengthwise by the proposed line of the Milwaukee Road. The building was moved to its present location ca. 1907 or 1908 and is referred to as Historic Structure 12.

B. Non-Extant Structure B (Machine Shed)

This shows on the 1907 map as do many of the non-existent structures. It appears at an odd, diagonal angle and intersects another non-extant building, Structure C. Its size appears to have been about fifty by twenty feet. Materials used in its construction and its construction date are not known. Its function, since it was labeled "Machine Shed," probably involved storage of farm machinery. It was removed about 1908.

C. Non-Extant Structure C (Open Cow Shed)

This, too, seems self-explanatory. Presumably this structure resembled the remaining "open cow sheds" such as Historic Structures 24, 25, and 29. Its size appears to have been about twenty by sixty-three feet. It was gone by 1908.

D. Non-Extant Structure D (Cow Stable)

The unusual phrase "Cow Stable" refers to a structure measuring 193 by 20 feet. This is probably the long shed shown in the M. A. Leeson illustration in 1884. Like Non-Extant Structures A and C, it was torn down about 1908 to make way for the Milwaukee Road. It was apparently a board and batten wood frame structure with a peaked roof.

E. Non-Extant Structure E (Cow Barn)

The difference between a cow "barn" and a cow "stable" is not clear, since both phrases are used on the 1907 map on which Non-Extant Structures A through G are shown. But this structure was entitled "Cow Barn," and it apparently stood between today's Historic Structures 7 and 9. It shared a common wall with Historic Structure 7, as appears to be the case on the 1907 map. The structure blew down in 1931. The eastern end of this non-extant structure is now the site of Historic Structure 9.

F. Non-Extant Structure F (Buggy House)

This non-extant structure is somewhat like Non-Extant Structure A. It still exists but has been moved. Apparently it was the easternmost section of the bunkhouse complex, and was cut off and moved down into the lower area next to the west corrals about 1908. It is now known as Historic Structure 17.

G. Non-Extant Structure G (Chicken House)

Now covered by Historic Structure 6, this was the site of a log and frame chicken house shown in Illustration 25. Next to it was a Turkey House, as yet unnumbered. It was torn down early in the Warren years, perhaps in 1933 or 1934.

H. Non-Extant Structure L (Cow Shed)

This was an open-sided shed to the south, with a thatched roof. Measuring about fifty by sixteen feet it had fallen into disrepair by about 1930 and was torn down at that time. It represented a typical approach to such shelters, for it was put together with an eye to immediate need and not years of service, and was removed when it no longer had value.

I. Non-Extant Structures H, I, J, K (Feed Racks)

These four wooden feed racks (feed tables or feed trays), possibly twenty by four feet and standing in pairs, held feed for the cattle in the southernmost portion of the west corrals. One pair stood just behind (north of) Historic Structure 45 and another pair behind (north of) Historic Structure 46, the two feed racks attached to the fence in the area. They were removed in the early 1930s. A fence that is now gone separated the corral so that each of the pairs of feed racks was in a separate area.

J. Non-Extant Structure M (Unknown)

This wooden, boxlike structure has collapsed, is partially rotted, and has been discarded in bushes near the Kohrs-Manning ditch hence its designation as a Non-Extant Structure. It appears to have been part of a box siphon or possibly a device to carry water over or under the Kohrs-Manning ditch.

K. Non-Extant Structure N (Foundations, unknown)

The concrete foundation of this structure appears to relate to veterinary or grooming work on the animals. Whatever structure was there was destroyed about 1930.

L. Non-Extant Structure O (Watering Trough)

This wooden watering trough was connected to a water supply system west of Historic Structure 7.

M. Non-Extant Structure P (Log Retaining Wall)

This L-shaped wall was once about four feet high, and was attached to Historic Structure 7, the draft horse barn. Some footings remain. The date of destruction is not known, but it had rotted away by 1935.

Introduction
Historic Resource Study | Cultural Resources Statement | Historic Structure Report