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Poplar Grove barn boasts rich history
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| Bruce and Jennifer Stennerson’s barn at 4427 Blaine Road, Poplar Grove, was built in 1903. Lumber was hauled in from the Sharon Lumber Company. The barn remains one of the highlights of the four-generation farm. Staff photo by Hillary Gavan |
By Hillary Gavan
Daily News staff writer
POPLAR GROVE - It's all about the barn at the home of Bruce and Jennifer Stennerson, 4427 Blaine Road.
The behemoth barn is one of several centennial barns around Poplar Grove and the nearby Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church. The Stennersons' neighbors, the Hazelwoods and Williamses, also have farms more than 100 years old.
The Stennersons are proud of their farm's history. The Stennerson family farm has been operational for more than 150 years. The barn and the surrounding land were home to an early Norwegian settlement.
The Stennersons landed south of Capron, Ill. Bruce's great grandfather, Charlie Stennerson, built it for Olina, his wife.
Olina's husband had passed away and Charlie Stennerson was eager to farm and decided to build a 96-by-45-foot barn, a huge barn for its time in 1903. The Stennerson home was built in 1906, also a grand home for the era.
Lumber for the barn was hauled in from the Sharon Lumber Yard by horse-drawn sleighs. The barn was built with traditional structure of the time, using wood pins as opposed to regular nails.
Over the years the barn has been modernized by Bruce's grandparents, Oscar and Emma Stennerson, and his parents, Paul and Inez Stennerson.
An aerial shot of the barn also is shown in the movie, “The Real Dirt on Farmer John.” The 2005 documentary film chronicles the life of farmer John Peterson, operator of Angelic Organics, and Bruce Stennerson's first cousin. The film received 25 awards, one of which was from the Chicago International Documentary Film Festival.
Keeping the farm in the family has been a priority. Bruce Stennerson married his wife, the owner of a hair salon, in 1990 and one of the requirements was she move out to the farm.
Since her move, she's learned a lot about farm life and has grown to love the barn as well.
“Bruce was such a gentle instructor. He taught me in such a way I didn't know I was learning,” Jennifer Stennerson said.
Until 12 years ago the barn was for dairy cows, but now Bruce has just a few beef cattle. With all the care the barn gets, however, Bruce Stennerson said it could easily stand for another 100 years.
The barn is always a good conversation topic at their home as well as all of Bruce's antique farm equipment. Jennifer Stennerson said many young people who stop by will mention their farm background. Jennifer Stennerson said people with farm backgrounds often love the land and have good character.
When not admiring their barn, the couple is looking forward to attending the Rock River Thresheree on Labor Day weekend at Threshermen's Park in rural Edgerton.
The behemoth barn is one of several centennial barns around Poplar Grove and the nearby Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church. The Stennersons' neighbors, the Hazelwoods and Williamses, also have farms more than 100 years old.
The Stennersons are proud of their farm's history. The Stennerson family farm has been operational for more than 150 years. The barn and the surrounding land were home to an early Norwegian settlement.
The Stennersons landed south of Capron, Ill. Bruce's great grandfather, Charlie Stennerson, built it for Olina, his wife.
Olina's husband had passed away and Charlie Stennerson was eager to farm and decided to build a 96-by-45-foot barn, a huge barn for its time in 1903. The Stennerson home was built in 1906, also a grand home for the era.
Lumber for the barn was hauled in from the Sharon Lumber Yard by horse-drawn sleighs. The barn was built with traditional structure of the time, using wood pins as opposed to regular nails.
Over the years the barn has been modernized by Bruce's grandparents, Oscar and Emma Stennerson, and his parents, Paul and Inez Stennerson.
An aerial shot of the barn also is shown in the movie, “The Real Dirt on Farmer John.” The 2005 documentary film chronicles the life of farmer John Peterson, operator of Angelic Organics, and Bruce Stennerson's first cousin. The film received 25 awards, one of which was from the Chicago International Documentary Film Festival.
Keeping the farm in the family has been a priority. Bruce Stennerson married his wife, the owner of a hair salon, in 1990 and one of the requirements was she move out to the farm.
Since her move, she's learned a lot about farm life and has grown to love the barn as well.
“Bruce was such a gentle instructor. He taught me in such a way I didn't know I was learning,” Jennifer Stennerson said.
Until 12 years ago the barn was for dairy cows, but now Bruce has just a few beef cattle. With all the care the barn gets, however, Bruce Stennerson said it could easily stand for another 100 years.
The barn is always a good conversation topic at their home as well as all of Bruce's antique farm equipment. Jennifer Stennerson said many young people who stop by will mention their farm background. Jennifer Stennerson said people with farm backgrounds often love the land and have good character.
When not admiring their barn, the couple is looking forward to attending the Rock River Thresheree on Labor Day weekend at Threshermen's Park in rural Edgerton.
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