Corncribs & Gear House

Corncribs and Gear House. Hardman Farm Historic Site. , Corncribs , Most southern farmers constructed at least one corncrib, and James H. Nichols didn't differ from this pattern. The large corncrib appears to have been constructed in the 1870s. Like many of the other farm outbuildings, it sits on a massive stone piers and is clad in wood siding spaced apart to allow for air to circulate. The gable roof featured the scalloped eave trim seen on many of the other structures., A smaller corncrib was constructed sometime later in the nineteenth century. It is an unusual t-shaped building with a combination of stone piers and a solid stone foundation. It does not have the scalloped eave of the earlier corncrib. Its interior is divided into four spaces., Corn agriculture was big business on southern farms during the 1900s. Dr. Hardman continued this practice when he purchased the farm in 1903. He regraded agriculture as a business venture and approached its practice using scientific methods. Early in his tenure at the farm, he installed drainage tiles in many of the low-lying fields to ensure better drainage for crops. Using this drainage system and the experimental feeding of crops, he increased his yield per acre and grew corn stalks 16 to 20 feet in height., Gear House , Known as the gear house or tack barn, residents of the farm used this small building to store saddles, bridles, and other horse-related gear known as tack as it was closer and more convenient than the carriage house. Dr. Hardman also was known to keep a saddle and bridle in the gas house (directly behind the residence) so that he could be ready to leave when called upon for a medical emergency., While dismantling the structure during its renovation, workers discovered a cistern underneath its foundation which had been covered for many years. They described the cistern as in almost perfect condition and about eight feet deep. The cistern was most likely used to collect water for the horse barn and later the sheep and bull pen., In-ground cisterns, such as this one, depended on water collected on roofs or other above ground structures. The water would remain cool due to the surrounding earth and was accessed using a windlass much like a well. This mechanism was no doubt removed when the cistern fell out of use and covered. It may have been at this time that the structure came to be used to hold tack., (caption) Atlanta Constitution photograph of Governor Hardman holding one of his tall cornstalks.