The Origin of the Octagon Barn in Gagetown, Michigan: 1923

In the Michigan Thumb’s Tuscola County there lies the burg of Gagetown. If you think this is just another of Michigan’s ordinary small towns, you’d be mistaken.

Just outside of town near Mud Lake lies one of that county’s most historic sites: the Octagon Barn.

In 1923 construction of the barn began. The barn was modeled after a similar octagon barn seen by farm owner James Purdy while traveling through Iowa – he was so taken by it, that he wanted one for his own farm.

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The barn has 8 sides and stands 70 feet to the tip of the weathervane. The roof has three different levels, and an old lightning rod system still exists but is not in use. Originally on the north side there was a wood silo which has since been demolished due to deterioration. The structure is very intricate, and you can read more about those details here.

James L. Purdy was born in Pontiac in 1869; when he turned 21 he began work at his father’s bank in Gagetown. James’ banking abilities were so impressive, it didn’t take long for him to become its president. Thanks to his know-how, it survived The Great Depression. When the depression was over, James met with Lansing bankers to concoct a system to restore faith in banks to a leery and weary public. Through their efforts, a bill was made which was supported by President Franklin Roosevelt and soon after, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was born.

To reiterate, it was during the early 1900s while Purdy was traveling through Iowa, that he saw an octagonal barn and was determined to build a similar structure.  In 1895 he bought 40 acres of land northeast of the town of Gagetown, and eventually his farm grew to 560 acres.

The afore-mentioned octagon barn was completed in 1924 and in 1942 James and his wife sold the farm and moved a few miles into the village. Eight years later, James passed away, followed by his wife in 1955.

Over the years there have been different owners of the Purdy farm with some of the land being sold off. The DNR bought the property in 1991 and were determined to tear down all the buildings. In an effort to save the barn, some concerned local citizens discovered that the octagon barn had been placed on the Michigan State Registry of Historic Sites in 1977  and proceeded to save it from destruction.

In 1994 a committee was formed to save the barn with the first Octagon Barn Festival. Known as “The Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn” more events and fundraisers were organized and through their efforts, the barn still stands with many travelers and curiosity seekers visiting every year.