National Register of Historic Places

Severson, Nels, Barn

Carpenter, Mitchell County, Iowa
Listed
July 14, 1977
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
77000540

About this property

The Nels Severson Barn, also known as "Fort" Severson, is a historic barn located north of Carpenter in rural Mitchell County, Iowa, United States. It is a two-story structure composed of irregularly-cut limestone with a gable roof. Its walls are 18 inches (46 cm) thick. It is one of a few, and possibly the only, stone structure in the area. The barn was built by Norwegian immigrant Nels Severson in 1867. He and his brother Ole were early settlers in this region. Local tradition refers to the building as a fort. Its large size and sturdy construction would protect the white settlers from Indian attacks. It is also said that it was a stop on a stage coach line. While the latter might be true, there is no evidence to corroborate either tradition. The barn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.

Location

Carpenter, Mitchell County, Iowa
43.42247, -93.01119

Categories

EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENT
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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Conflict & War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Nearby Historic Sites

Otranto Bridge
Industrial
2.9 mi
First Lutheran Church
Industrial
5.2 mi
Saint Ansgar Public School
Industrial
5.4 mi
Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad-Grafton Station
Industrial
7.3 mi
Mitchell Powerhouse and Dam
Industrial
9.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Severson, Nels, Barn listed on the National Register?

Severson, Nels, Barn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 14, 1977.

What type of historic resource is Severson, Nels, Barn?

Severson, Nels, Barn is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Severson, Nels, Barn?

The period of significance for Severson, Nels, Barn is recorded as the industrial era.

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