Our nation’s stories, most often, began to be documented when immigrants took up residence on a tract of land and worked to realize a dream. If we are lucky, someone has preserved and passed their stories and documents along for future generations to appreciate.

Derral and Tammy Denham are lucky to have had the way-back history of their property at 693 Ten Mile Road, Sparta, shared with them, and a fascinating history it is. Now known as Briar Barns, the one-time property of a logging baron, has been a place of tremendous curiosity to passersby for many years. And now it draws renewed interest as a new life unfolds.

POINT OF PRIDE: It was common for early photographs to show the barn, teams of horses, and farm equipment or buggies, as farm families proudly displayed their assets.

The property the Denhams purchased in 2015, with its unusual mansion-like house and two barns, was first owned by Joseph and Diana English in the mid-1800s when English was rapidly building a sawmill and lumbering empire on the Rogue River. The story goes that English, born in 1803 in England as Joseph Simpson, adopted his new surname on the boat to America to separate himself from an unsavory past in England due to bad business dealings. Here his fortunes would rise with hard work and fall with bad investing. At one point, to rebuild his status in life, he worked 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, shaving shingles which sold for $1 per thousand.

Joseph English had two barns built, and despite access to a plentiful supply of top-quality lumber, he did not build either barn as big as his business stature might have suggested he could. At one time, however, the larger barn had three ornate cupolas, often regarded as a sign of wealth.

The barns much later became the center point of the Stout Dairy operation, with the larger barn used for cattle and the smaller barn likely used for horses.

Fast-forward to the Denhams falling in love with the vacant house and barns when it came on the market.

“We had driven by the property for years,” Tammy recalls, “and then when it went on the market, we drove by it for another nine months. When we walked it and looked through the barns, we could see where it could go, so we bought the property in September of 2015 with plans to turn it into an event venue specializing in weddings.”

WEDDING FAVORITE: Brian Corey Cappiello (godson of the author) and Johniah Harvey Cappiello give new meaning to the term “barn dance” as they celebrate their marriage.

Like many who have purchased barns no longer used for active farming with the intent of making them into something that could be used by the public, the couple faced challenges.

“We didn't realize all the approvals we had to get from the township to even get started and what was required to bring it up to code. We jumped in totally not knowing what we were doing,” she admits, but emphasizes, “We didn't give up and just kept doing what we needed to do to accomplish our dream.”

A main beam in the framing of the bigger barn has been replaced and other structural supports have been added without detracting from the barns’ character. New flooring replaced what had been weakened by years of use and exposure to the elements.

The walk-in, former mow section of the main barn serves as the reception area for weddings, while the milking parlor below is used for ceremonies. The smaller barn holds a bar and casual visiting areas, as well as a serving area for catered meals.

“I can’t really explain how the name Briar Barns came to me,” Tammy notes. “I tried a lot of other names but that one just seemed to fit.” Then, she adds happily, “We started holding events in 2017. We are excited that we got to save this piece of history for people to enjoy.”

Another generation. Another dream.

Arnett writes from Battle Creek.