If These Walls Could Talk…

The J.C. Stribling Barn was built in 1890-91 after a fire destroyed six building on Jesse Stribling’s property. The buildings that burned were comprised of two large barns and four other smaller structures. To replace the six building were totally lost in the fire, Stribling built the immense brick barn that stands on the property to this day. Unique in its design barn is comprised of an estimated 140,000 homemade bricks. The bricks were made from red clay found on the property and the walls of the barn are three bricks thick. Mud mortar—the construction method of the time—was used to lay the brick. Mud mortar consists of sand taken from the banks of 18-Mile Creek which runs through the property and mixing it with hydrated lime. This construction median is still used by the current owners of the barn—the Sefick Family—to make repairs and stay true to the historic nature of the barn. The barn is fifty by seventy feet, three stories high, and built into a bank to allow access at two of the stories. Furthermore, the barn has a jerkinhead-shaped roof that was originally tin but has been replaced with superior galvanized-steel in recent years to ensure the preservation of the brick and mortar.

Besides its unique brick construction, the barn is historically significant because it was the place of two South Carolina first. The first registered Jersey cattle in South Carolina were housed on the first floor. J.C. Stribling and his friend Col. W.D. Warren—the owner of the Ashtabula Plantation—brought these cattle into the state. [1] Additionally, Jesse Stribling brought the first Percheron horses into South Carolina and also housed them in the barn. From the introduction of these particular farm animals, interest in the breeds grow throughout the area. In this manner, the barn played an influential role in the development of animal veterinarian science and agriculture in the state. [2]

The J.C. Stribling Barn is on the National Register of Historic Places for its historically significant contributions to animal science, agriculture, and for its architectural design. Today, the property is used for small scale farming; however, the barn does not house any livestock. The primary function of the property and barn today is as a wedding and event venue. Nevertheless, the J.C. Stribling Barn & Plantation remains as close to its original design by mandate of its registration as a national historic site.

 References

[1] Mills, W.H., “Twelve Great South Carolina Farmers.” South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station. Publication Number AE 197. Clemson, College, Clemson, South Carolina. 1960:38-41

[2] Stevenson, M. “The Diary of Clarissa Adger Bowen – Ashtabula Plantation 1865 (The Pendleton Clemson, S.C. Area 1776-1889). Research & Publication Committee. Foundation for Historic Restoration in the Pendleton Area. Pendleton, South Carolina. 1973