Favourite Barns: Wayne &/or Pike Counties (Scranton, Dickson City: house, live in)

[ontheroad]

Hello NEPA,

I have been asked to check out some old, in use farms with attractive and in use barns for an international art project.

I know quite a few in my immediate area, but wonder if folks can send me on a path to others that I may not come into contact with on my regular drive (generally around 371, 97, 191, River Road on the Delaware).

I'd love to hear about any and all within these two counties.

Many thanks.

[greentown]

I live in Pike and travel Wayne often. I'll try to take note of some and get back to you.

[ScranBarre]

Is there a specific deadline we should keep in mind? I hope to take a long relaxing drive out through Northwestern Luzerne County this Spring to do an agricultural photo tour (Red Rock/Moorestown/New Columbus/Hunlock Creek areas), and I'll most certainly keep my eyes open.

[irishLASSIE333]

There are some lovely farms on the route between Honesdale and Pleasant Mount.

If you take exit 206 off of 81 North and head towards Elk Mountain, there are some great barns to be seen! I guess that's Susquehanna, but if you head past Uniondale into Wayne County and continue the drive down to Waymart, there are even more working barns with awesome old silos and pretty horses.

[ontheroad]

Thanks for the information about these farms. I'll make a day trip over to Honesdale and see how this route works out. I am unfamiliar with Rte81N.

Originally Posted by irishLASSIE333

There are some lovely farms on the route between Honesdale and Pleasant Mount.

If you take exit 206 off of 81 North and head towards Elk Mountain, there are some great barns to be seen! I guess that's Susquehanna, but if you head past Uniondale into Wayne County and continue the drive down to Waymart, there are even more working barns with awesome old silos and pretty horses.

Yes, unfortunately, I have a deadline and will have to get cracking and have the barns identified, and make contact with the owners by end of February.

But do keep me in mind while you are having that relaxing drive in Luzerne County.

Originally Posted by SWB

Is there a specific deadline we should keep in mind? I hope to take a long relaxing drive out through Northwestern Luzerne County this Spring to do an agricultural photo tour (Red Rock/Moorestown/New Columbus/Hunlock Creek areas), and I'll most certainly keep my eyes open.

If you do notice anything in particular, do take note and I'll follow your path and see what is to be discovered. Many thanks.

Originally Posted by greentown

I live in Pike and travel Wayne often. I'll try to take note of some and get back to you.

[greentown]

There are several older farms along the Owego Turnpike (off of Rt. 590 just outside of Hawley). If you follow this road, it leads to Cherry Ridge and Waymart. There is a nice white barn with a silo a little ways past the Cherry Ridge Airport. If you traveled this road on to Waymart, there are probably many other farms. There is also another one on Rt. 191 right across from the Lincoln Mercury Dealer. They don't appear to have any livestock lately, but the barn has been there since I was a kid. I'm sure there are many more if you have time to take a ride through some of the backroads around the Honesdale area.

[ontheroad]

Thanks, greentown, just co-incidentally I was thinking of driving over to Waymart on Sunday for a gallery opening. This will give me ample time to explore the area.

And when you say backroads of Honesdale, I must admit I am lost. I believe I live on one of those back roads, and come upon quite a few wonderful barns/farms, some of which appear to be working, others appear almost abandoned. Do you have any roads in mind? I know at least two off 371 and another off 191 that is I believe called Church Street and goes directly into Galilee. Also, I believe I've seen some good examples on Conklin Road in Damascus.

I am very new to NEPA, and every road is an adventure worth exploring.

I'll be taking notes on the next trips I make. And I am hoping to find say, 4, 5 or 6 working farms that are contiguous to each other for the project

Originally Posted by greentown

There are several older farms along the Owego Turnpike (off of Rt. 590 just outside of Hawley). If you follow this road, it leads to Cherry Ridge and Waymart. There is a nice white barn with a silo a little ways past the Cherry Ridge Airport. If you traveled this road on to Waymart, there are probably many other farms. There is also another one on Rt. 191 right across from the Lincoln Mercury Dealer. They don't appear to have any livestock lately, but the barn has been there since I was a kid. I'm sure there are many more if you have time to take a ride through some of the backroads around the Honesdale area.

[MermanMike]

Sprig n Twig nursery, which is also a working farm, is right on 371 in Tyler Hill across from that carpet showroom. They have some nice old barns there and the people who own the farm are total sweet hearts. They are also pretty active in the local farm scene and could probably give you some great advice about places to scope out.

I think they built their house out of beams from an old barn on the property too. It's a neat, but contemporary, house.

[ontheroad]

Thanks, MermanMike, for that idea. I am familiar with the nursery but they weren't on my radar: now they are!

Originally Posted by MermanMike

Sprig n Twig nursery, which is also a working farm, is right on 371 in Tyler Hill across from that carpet showroom. They have some nice old barns there and the people who own the farm are total sweet hearts. They are also pretty active in the local farm scene and could probably give you some great advice about places to scope out.

I think they built their house out of beams from an old barn on the property too. It's a neat, but contemporary, house.

[irishLASSIE333]

Originally Posted by ontheroad

Thanks for the information about these farms. I'll make a day trip over to Honesdale and see how this route works out. I am unfamiliar with Rte81N.

You have never been on I-81? It traverses PA completely and goes all the way up to the NY/Canada border and all the way down to Tennessee (I think). I guess I just assumed you had been on 81 before, although I find it refreshing that you haven't! If you take 81 North from Scranton/Dickson City/Clarks Summit and go up just a short way, you will come to exit 206. Take it and turn right, and you will be heading towards Elk Mountain. I am sure there are other ways to reach that point, but I always use 81 to get there. Anyhoo, it's a very scenic drive dotted with farms.