The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center’s Spring Open House-Open Barn this Sunday, May 19, from noon-4 p.m., gives visitors their one chance all year to see the inside of the historic barn where “The Winner” barbed wire was invented and first manufactured. The large brick structure is located on the Homestead property at 921 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, behind Burger King and next to Glidden Florist.

Chris Hubbard, shown here, is the Glidden Homestead’s chief blacksmith at the Phineas Vaughan Blacksmith Shop.

The Phineas Vaughan Blacksmith Shop at the Glidden Homestead also will be open and operating that day. Roger Keys is a historic preservationist who has done much work on the barn and house at the Homestead. He will help give tours May 19.

The barn is perhaps the most historically significant in the country, according to Keys, because it is where Glidden invented and manufactured the first practical barbed wire. The house was completed around 1861, and the brick barn was built between 1861-71. Glidden’s first barbed wire manufacturing office was located in the southeast corner of the barn.

Architecturally, the Glidden barn also is very significant. It is one of the oldest barns left standing in DeKalb County. It reflects the German tradition and is built of local bricks with transverse frame, post and beam construction. The foundation is made of locally-quarried limestone. There were 14 eight-paned double-hung windows and seven single-pane windows for luxurious livestock lodging. Originally, there were two large arched entrances, seven stalls, a large haymow, gable, hayhood and a dirt or wooden plank floor.

The Glidden barn has remained solid throughout its years of usage for livestock, horses, barbed wire manufacture and storage. It provides a priceless link to our past and evokes images for us of our agricultural roots and pioneer spirit upon which our communities are based today. Read more →