Farm Data FAQ

Site Data

Farm Name: Historically, most farms in Lake County have been known by the current owner's name. Over time a typical farm had several owners and so was known by several different names. Our policy is to label each farm in our database with the current name for working farms, and the last known name for farms that are lost. Farms that have been fully consolidated into larger farming operations bear the name of the last known independent farm owner. Earlier names should be recorded in the "Heirloom Names" section for a specific farm. If you believe a farm is named incorrectly, please contact webmaster@lchff.org.

Website:  The website of the farm today, or if the original barn is now used for some other commercial purpose, the website of the business occupying the original homestead.

Farm Characteristics

Year Barn Was Built:  the year the current or most recent barn was built.

Acreage of Original Farm:  the size, in acres, of the first farm on the site.

Current Status:

• Farming - original use: traditional farming such as dairy, mixed, cash grain, etc.
• Farming - adaptive reuse: equestrian facility, nursery, tree farm, organic, hydroponic farming, etc.
• Consolidated into a Larger Farm: The farm has been acquired by a larger farming operation. Generally, this means the land is under cultivation and the homestead has been demolished.
• Lake County Forest Preserve: The Forest Preserve District has acquired the land for the purpose of preservation of natural or cultural resources, education, or recreation.
• Converted for Commercial Use: a business or nonprofit organization operates from the barn.
• Converted for Government Use: a government entity owns the farm.
• Converted for Use as a Residence: the original barn has been converted for use as a single family dwelling. Typically, the farm itself has been lost to development.
• Lost to Residential Development: the farm was destroyed to make way for housing.
• Lost to Commercial Development: the farm was destroyed to make way for an office building, retail business, factory, golf course, etc.
• Preservation Initiatives: The property is owned by a government entity, non-govenmental organization, or public-private partnership for the purpose of preserving natural or cultural resources, education, or recreation. (Lake County Forest Preserve District properties are shown separately.)
• Lost:The farm no longer exists, though the land may be leased for cultivation. In most cases these farms are slated for commercial or residential development.

Year Lost:  the year the farm was lost.

Roof: the type of roof the barn has/had. (If more than one type, choose the type of roof for the main portion of the barn.)

Foundation:  the type of foundation the barn has/had. (If more than one type indicate the foundation of the original portion of the barn.)

Siding: the type of siding that is/was found on the main portion of the barn.

Number of Silos: indicate the number of silos today or if the barn has been destroyed, the number of silos at the time of its destruction.

Barn Design:  the basic construction style of the barn.

• English Wheat Barn: any rectangular barn accessible from ground level only on the lower floor.
• Soil Bank Barn: any barn accessible from ground level on both the upper and lower floors, whether cut into a hill or accessed from a ramp.
• Other: all other forms of construction including round, granary, single storey, modern steel buildings, etc.