For more than a century, a magnificent barn stood tall on the property once owned by the Lampkin family. Built in the 1880s, it was more than just a structure—it was a symbol of dedication, craftsmanship, and history. Originally part of a 1,000-acre farm worked entirely by horses, the barn served as a haven for the animals, with individual stanchions, a sophisticated watering system, and careful maintenance that made it nothing short of a castle for them.
Located on Potters Road in Saranac, the barn became a cherished landmark. When Don Braam purchased the property in 1983, it was not the land that captivated him, but the barn itself.
“I came to the conclusion after spending time in the barn that I needed to buy it,” he recalls. “The barn sealed the deal.”
Its unique construction, with bowed walls that straightened when filled with hay, intrigued him. The structure was remarkable—massive 100-foot beams, dormers that added to its beauty, and an internal watering system capable of holding 1,500 gallons on the second floor, fed by a still-standing windmill.
Braam had big dreams for the barn. Though he initially used the lower level for his business, Dynamic Wood Products, he saw more potential. Over the years, with the help of Jesse Swartz at Dutch Barns in Lake Odessa, Braam made significant enhancements. He added a second floor and enlisted an Amish crew to remodel it in 2017.
What emerged was not just a barn, but a gathering space. A full-size basketball court, a game room with shuffleboard, foosball, and ping pong, and a lounge with a full kitchen were installed. The barn became a place where friends, family, and church members would gather for celebrations, dinners, and milestone events.
“There was nothing like it,” he says.
Though he had once envisioned turning it into a unique restaurant—his wife and daughter being exceptional cooks—its role as a community hub became its defining legacy.
But tragedy struck on January 6. As Braam, now living in assisted living, waited for supper, the facility’s manager, Heidi, approached him gently. “I knew something was amiss when she knelt down next to me to share the news—my barn was on fire.” He was grateful for her kindness, as he couldn’t imagine learning of the fire from the news.
First responders from over 14 townships, including our own team from the Lowell Fire Department, rushed to battle the inferno. The fire was so intense that it melted plastic components on fire engines and cracked a windshield. Yet, thanks to their efforts, the surrounding buildings were spared.
“The firemen did a real good job,” Braam says. Though a smaller building sustained minor damage when burning timbers fell onto its roof, it miraculously did not ignite.
Braam had always feared fire, praying for the barn’s protection. Though he had taken precautions and paid higher insurance premiums, nothing could have prepared him for this loss.
“There will be no rebuilding of the barn—it’s not replaceable,” he says. While plans for a new building are underway, it won’t be the same. The memories, however, remain.
The barn that once stood as a testament to history, innovation, and community may be gone, but its legacy lives on in the stories told, the photographs saved, and the hearts of those who cherished it.
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