Last updated: September 29, 2026
Place
John Messer Barn
NPS / Erin Gilliland
Quick Facts
Location:
Greenbrier
Significance:
Historic Structure
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Overview
Set along the quiet slopes of Greenbrier, the John Messer Barn is one of the finest examples of a historic cantilever barn in the Smokies. Built sometime in 1869, the structure stretches roughly 54 by 34 feet and rises to about 26 feet high, its distinctive overhanging lofts balanced above the cribs below.
The barn was built by Pinkney Whaley, who later sold it to his cousin's husband, John Messer. The Hiking Club Cabin, which stands just behind the barn, is where the family's house originally stood. The classic double-cantilever barn, a style unique to East Tennessee, is among the many structures in the park listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A central runway cuts through the middle, allowing wagons and livestock to move easily between the corn cribs. Above them, the frame hayloft projects outward for keeping hay dry and protected.
The Messer Barn was rehabilitated in 2026, using traditional building techniques. Friends of the Smokies funded the construction through their Forever Places endowment, part of their ongoing investment in preserving the park's historic structures.
Today, the Messer Barn stands as both a historic landmark and a beloved waypoint for hikers.
How to Get There
Hike Porter’s Creek Trail located at the end of Greenbrier Road. About one mile into the hike, the trail widens into a small loop. Keep right and look for the short path that leads to the barn on the right.
Similar Points of Interest
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Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Cabin
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Messer Apple House