Someone sent me this photo awhile back. I can't find the note that came with it, but the gist is that this woman had noticed the cement or concrete little outbuilding on an Amish farm near Berne, Indiana. It's the small building on the hill, which to these eyes looks man-made. She said she noticed that other farmhouses had similar structures outside. To be honest, I'm stymied. Not sure what it is. My guess is that it might be an old ice-house, but that's only an educated guess. Seems to be about the right size for it. While I rack my brain, I am sure someone among our audience will know within minutes. We have a lot of knowledgeable people who visit the website. So, any guesses anyone?
It's one of those buildings that I've probably passed a gazillion times but it's so nondescript I just haven't paid attention. I am going to include an enlarged version of the photo below, but enlarging it sort of stretches out the dimensions of the image. Still, it is easier to see.
Theresa
Kevin, that could be a milk house. a friend of mine has a farm with all the orginal buildings on it including one that looks just like that, it's the milk house .
Theresa
Angie Yoder
My uncle said it is either an ice house or a smoke house. Those would be my two guesses as well! 🙂
Debbie from Ky
Doesn't it seem like that hill could possibly be a root cellar for storing large amounts of root vegetables? The building on the other hand, if it were a smokehouse would have a smokestack. I see one but it seems to be a chimney from the house. Interestng picture, I am headed to Holmes County in a few weeks, will be on the lookout for something similiar. 🙂
Debra Winter
Maybe it's a milk house where the bulk tank goes after they milk the cows. It's usually cement so that it stays cooler in warm weather.
Liz
I had to google this, and came across an interesting article on books.google.com/books?id=SC0uAAAAYAAJ. I googled, "milk houses made out of cement", and this is what I found. It states that milk houses are suppose to be elevated. So I believe this is definitely a mik house.
Kevin
Liz, good call on your part..sounds like that's our answer!
Keith
Kevin, my guess it is a water supply tank. It is located next to the wind mill and is on a hill. Hill appears man made. The reason it is sitting on this hill is for better gravity water flow to wherever needed in the farm yard.
mary Rexrode
That makes more sense
Marilyn
Kevin: Driving to Geneva today I looked for this building, but did not see it along US 27 South. Throughout early spring (April & May) I will get onto the country roads and try to locate it. I'll stop and ask! (But I also think it is a water supply tank.) I am thinking it is located somewhere south of Berne. Could not travel the country roads this morning as the Wabash River is flooding and county roads are closed.
Cindy Hetherington LaMay
I think that it might be a "Root Celler". Notice that it seems to be place on a man made hill. Or it might be a "Wash house", due to the windmill being so close to the building. Can not wait to find out what the building is used for! I live in an area were there are many Amish Farms and I don't think I have seen this type of a building around here.