John D. Cole's Steel Barn

When this barn was built, apparently in 1923, it was widely acclaimed as the world's first all-steel barn.

A couple years ago I discovered this 1926 Popular Science article about John Cole and his barn while I was looking for something else. What I didn't know was Cole's barn's location, except that it was "near Mulliken."

Then two or three weeks ago I stumbled on Historic Map Works -- where I found this map, and was able to locate Cole's farm at the corner of Mt. Hope and Mulliken--three miles due south of my house. From there it was just a matter of comparing the Pop Sci photo with the actual barn.

Turns out I've known the barn for decades, but hadn't recognized its significance.

Neat, no?