BEND, Ore. (AP) — The Deschutes Land Trust has been reinforcing one of the oldest structures in Central Oregon.
The Bend Bulletin reports that the Hindman Barn is nearly 150 years old, and years of neglect left it unstable.
Built by Sam Hindman around 1870, the barn near Sisters was one part of his larger homestead at the eastern end of the Santiam Wagon Road, the preferred route across the Cascades before railways and cars.
A windstorm in 1990 damaged much of the remaining roofing and siding. The owner at the time removed what was left after the storm, leaving behind a box-like timber frame.
The Land Trust acquired the barn along with the rest of a 151-acre preserve in 2000. It has no plans to fully restore the barn, but with the structure now stable, it can be reopened to the public.