Henny Barn
Also known as: Drown Barn
Why it's listed
Northeast of Flat Rock in Seneca County, this wood frame barn measures 62 by 38 feet and has a gable shingle roof. Its framing follows two patents granted in 1876 and 1877 to Rev. William Morris and Joseph Slanser of LaRue, Ohio, and the patent dates are stenciled on a beam inside. Posts and beams are built from paired planks bolted together, with wedged joints, diagonal braces and trussed braces on the east side of the center posts. The design aimed to save timber and allow construction without skilled labor. The barn has reportedly withstood two tornadoes. It was probably built by Samuel Henny after September 1877 and appears on the 1896 atlas. Only one similar barn is known in Seneca County and none in Marion County. A brick-walled well beside the barn once supplied fire trucks and steam threshers. The barn is vacant and at risk from vandalism.
Significance in brief: The barn is a rare surviving example of frame construction under two patents (December 26, 1876 and September 4, 1877) by Rev. William Morris and Joseph Slanser of LaRue, Ohio. Their system used planks instead of heavy timbers and was meant to let buildings be assembled without skilled help. Only one other barn like it is known in Seneca County and none in Marion County.
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 79003646, listed November 6, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W 1/2, SW 1/4, section 1, N side of Country Road 34 east of Northwestern RR tracks, Flat Rock |
|---|---|
| County | Seneca County |
| Listed | November 6, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003646 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1877-1896 |
| Architect / builder | Probably built by Samuel Henny; patents by Rev. William Morris and Joseph Slanser |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Vacant and subject to vandalism; the form says the only change is that louvered gable windows were covered with siding. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.24075, -82.85291 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 79003646.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.