IDA GROVE, Iowa, Jan. 3, 2017 — Photographer Don Poggensee, who lives here in northwest Iowa, decided he wanted to close out 2016 and start 2017 “with some iconic images of Iowa.” He thought about it and decided on old wood barns. Why? “What could be more typical of rural Iowa?” he reasoned. And this time of year, especially when there’s some snow on the ground, those old barns have a way of leaping out at you when you come upon them. His photos, he said, wind up being kind of a lament because “we are losing many of our old wood barns, and our landscape is certainly changing year by year.”
Near Peterson in northwest Iowa.
A barn at Swan Lake southeast of Carroll.
A spectacularly big barn east of Iowa Falls in north central Iowa.
An Amish-owned barn near Hazleton in northeast Iowa.
Barn and horses near Hazleton.
A classic near Holstein in northwest Iowa.
North of Schleswig in west central Iowa.
Northwest of Peterson in northwest Iowa.
Northeast of Arthur in northwest Iowa.
You can write the photographer at donpog@netlc.net or comment here on his work by using the handy form below.
Good you’re documenting these old barns. I know of one near Rockford, IA that just was burned this past weekend, planned. Too old, not used anymore.
Hello. I was wondering if it is possible to purchase a few pictures of some of these barns? Thank you.
Lynne Wagers
Lynne, to inquire about purchasing any of Don Poggensee’s photos, write him directly at donpog@netlc.net.
Chuck Offenburger