Welling-Everly Horse Barn
Why it's listed
Built in 1882 on a farm west of Adair, this horse barn is a six-bay, center-aisle, heavy timber-framed building in the Stick Style. It measures about 60 by 32 feet and can house 13 horses along with a year's feed, with room for wagons and carriages in the south end. Original details survive, including oak-pegged framing, metal-bound oak mangers, barred windows and a horse-powered grain elevator that still works. Dave Welling, a livestock shipper who ranked among the wealthiest farmers in New Salem Township, built it as part of a showpiece estate that a newspaper of 1890 praised for its artistic beauty. Welling lost the property to financial trouble in the early 1890s, and Jonas Everly bought it in 1901. Rebecca Everly's estate later passed the farm to a trust, whose trustees have kept the buildings in good repair. The nomination presents the barn as a rare, nearly intact example of its style and of farm-estate ambition.
Significance in brief: The barn, with its setting, is argued to exemplify the aspirations of affluent farmer-businessmen of 1870-1890 for a refined, villa-like estate. It is also described as one of very few Stick Style horse barns remaining virtually intact from the time it was built. Its working horse-powered grain elevator and original stalls and fittings add to its interest.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85001911, listed August 29, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off US 136, Adair |
|---|---|
| County | McDonough County |
| Listed | August 29, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85001911 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown, but could be Newt Willis |
| Architectural style | Stick Style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in good condition, unaltered, on its original site, and occupied; it is kept in good repair under the terms of a trust and the horse-powered grain elevator is still in working order. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.43335, -90.53479 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85001911.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q24061415
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.