The Ole Floating Barn Trick!

Jacking up and moving a large Gothic Arch Barn? In this video my relatives decide to preserve their old Gothic Arch style barn and jack it up and put it on a new foundation complete with a new floor. The barn raising and moving was very interesting to watch!

[@digdrivediy]

If you enjoyed this video, then I'd be grateful if you'd share it with a friend that would also like it. Thanks so much for watching!

[@LukedriveitlikearentalRo-ri7tm]

2ed video plz

[@twodogsandtheirfamily]

Looks awesome, love seeing so much progress in one video. Can't wait to see the entire thing finished.

[@Fsuholley]

Loved this video. I will share, share and share some more. I would love to see remodeling this summer! God Bless brother.

[@KymKit]

Yes. Yes please do so. This has been one of the best I’ve seen on your channel. Machinery can be magical too ❤️👌🏽👌🏽

[@davidbruce2845]

Yes, please! Brilliant video. Would love to see more on this great bit of history. 👍

[@jayb9543]

Neil please keep filming the progress of the barn, I love it!

[@halliwilljon]

Thanks for showing us from start to finish, i would love to see the second story progress.

[@digdrivediy]

You and me both! Thanks for watching!

[@tallpaul8880]

“Do you want these beams?” I almost jumped out of my seat! I for one would love to see the process and progress of this build! ✌🏻🇺🇸

[@joelhoeksema]

Right?! Who would say no to old barn beams! Can’t believe they would burn em!

[@DDL2728]

Can I like 👍 this 100 times? This is your best video ever - history, explanation on how the barn was moved & plans of what it will be. Please, can we see videos of that?? Yay!! Thank you, & thank your cousin for sharing. God bless y'all & your families!! 🙏😍🙏👍👍👍👍👍 Your drone footage was amazing!!

[@digdrivediy]

I'm very grateful that Jon and family allowed this to be shared and even more thankful that you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@TheRealDukeSchneider]

Definitely videos of this build will be great!

[@nanoresmith2697]

From a city girl, way down in the south of Africa, who knows nothing about farms and barns, that was so enjoyable to watch! Thanks so much for sharing history and knowledge ✨️👍

[@TheRealDukeSchneider]

@@nanoresmith2697 you are in the south of Africa watching videos of the US heartland, while I am in the US headland watching videos of Jim Green boots!

[@nanoresmith2697]

​@@TheRealDukeSchneider And do you like the brand? I buy Froggie shoes another good SA brand... I'm not promoting 🤭

[@calvinboykin4777]

Another fantastic video! Of course I don’t know your cousin Jon but he’s a guy that I think all of us would like to know. The fact that he would go to such lengths to preserve this piece of rural history speaks volumes about his character. We need to preserve our history so we can remember where we came from and we can’t reclaim the tangible past once it’s gone. Hats off to your cousin! And YES I would love to see future videos of the process of this reclamation.

[@jonjensen1118]

Heck yea, I want to see the progress of the remodel! Great video Neil!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks!

[@James-ou9hc]

Thanks a million for sharing Neil. May God continue to Bless you and your family in Jesus ’ name.

[@johnerickennedy]

Great story. thanks sharing ✨🇨🇦👋🏼❄️

[@AngelLuisTrinidad]

Of course, I want to see the complete remodel of this wonderful barn. Thank you for showing us this barn moved.

[@bobsingle45]

My childhood home was moved back in the 70's for the I-81 highway project. Fascinating process to watch again.

[@user-cn8wu2ok5s]

This barn is incredible condition! I would have never in a million years guessed this was 70 years old! Amazing!

[@stevenhartman7657]

This made my morning! I love to see the old barns saved! Please continue with the progress. Keep making these great videos! Thanks!

[@firee812]

Please show the further construction and remodel of this amazing barn. I love barns. People just dont realize the work that surrounds farm life and the importance of these buildings. My husband grew up on a dairy farm and started working as a child to help pitch in, chores, etc. That's just what you do when your family has 8 children. He farmed here on the home farm until 2017. He spent many hours in that barn, filling the hay mow, parking tractors, fixing the barn doors after a tornado, and the steep roof torn from wind damage. He milked cows in the ground level in the parlor and fed many new born calves house under the extended lower level. Lots of things are always going on in a barn especially when you have animals. 😊

[@thecloser9357]

Neil, I thoroughly enjoyed this video! Am from Central, Illinois, and my wife from south east Ohio, and absolutely love seeing the preservation of what makes that landscape unique to any other part of the country. I’ve been serving in the military for the past 18 years, never being stationed near home, and this channel has brought me so much joy to see what life was growing up. Thank you for preserving and documenting your way of life, the challenges, and the absolute joys it can bring! I would be very interested in seeing the rest of the process.

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

Thank you for your service!

[@peggymiller3045]

Unlimited thanks and respect! I pray that you'll stay safe.

[@digdrivediy]

@thecloser9357 Thank you so much for the kind words and for following along but especially for your willingness to serve. I'm truly grateful.

[@Trumpallthewayperiod]

​@@digdrivediygreetings from Churubusco. Thanks for this good video

[@KitKat10281]

Where in Central IL @thecloser9357? I'm not far from Peoria and Springfield!

[@HarrryClaudeLaBar]

Finally saving something rather than demolishing and replacing with an inferior replacement. Thank You.

[@richardclifton4120]

Here's a hint Neil: Only start a story if you are willing to finish it. So yes, show the complete job until it is done. Good stories are hard to come by in today's world.

[@AmericanShiba]

I always heard it was bad luck to tear down a barn so that’s why you see a lot of old falling apart barns still left up. Thanks for the history lesson, Neil! Love your channel!!

[@lisaharvey4373]

Nice job saving those Timbers Neil great wood!

[@CourtnRob]

Love the way you tell a story with your videos. Keep up the great work!

[@VW7472]

Heck ya can't leave us hanging on what it finally looks like when finished along the way 😉 👊👊👊👊👊

[@chadtimothy468]

Thanks for being so proud of our history and being there to see it being preserved.

[@tjw4947]

The shot when the smiling barn disappeared behind the shrubbery was brilliant! Great video Neil, and yes I would love to see this restoration to it's conclusion.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks! I liked that one too! :)

[@mriley4955]

Neil that was so cool to watch. Nice job capturing it from many angles. Would love to see vids of the progress.

[@davidstallard2235]

I just want to say this is one of my favorite videos that you ever put out. I love to see updated video. Thank you.

[@johnnyho900]

Of course we want to see the build develop over time!

[@reginaharris9775]

This is by far amazing restoring that old barn instead of tearing it down is remarkable. I can't wait to see the transformation on the months to come. Its definitely gonna be interesting !!

[@Renville80]

My cousin's farm has one of those 'Gothic arch' barns and his oldest sister tells me their grandfather (my great-uncle) had told them the concrete blocks that form the ground floor walls were actually poured on site! Their farm was also the first in the area to have electricity, one of a very, very few farms where the power company was talked into building a line from town to the farm (this was at least a decade before REA even got off the ground in that area).

[@digdrivediy]

Wow that's cool!

[@MrDew83]

Very cool Neil. Thanks for the great video this morning!

[@JasonWorksAlot]

What an uplifting video!

[@digdrivediy]

I see what you did there... :)

[@87peppy]

Excellent content, can’t wait for more. Thank you for sharing this with us

[@watkinstreefarm6880]

I have seen a couple houses moved but never a barn. Love to see the transformation this summer. Thanks Neal.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Jeff!

[@rk7535]

What a great and unique story. I’d love to see updates as it progresses, especially the second floor (third?) framing and finishing. Great story Neil.

[@DaleGraves-c1b]

Neil you always come up with some awesome and interesting stuff to watch!!! Not every day you get to see a big hay barn run around 😂 and survive another 100 years!!!

[@23phaynes]

Great video! Thank you for taking us along as a piece of not only family history but US history was saved. Please take us along for the rest of the journey.

[@dennis82468]

Please show the progress of this barn. Great content!!

[@dentech4710]

Yes continue with updates on this barn. I remember climbing up in an old barn and jumping down on the hay when I was a kid. I’m 70 now.

[@digdrivediy]

Same for me!

[@Matt-mq1ep]

Awesome job! We definately want to see more videos on the progress.

[@GPHOWE]

Our post war house was built on an old fruit farm in the Niagara peninsula. At the end of the street was the remnants of an old orchard of cherry and pear trees with a large barn. Until the subdivision expanded the barn was the favorite haunt of my primary school days, and yes I had to walk 2 miles to school each way down pathways through farms and undeveloped land. Thank all who contributed to save this old structure and you for a fitting memorial to these barns and the a lost way of life gone with the wind.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks for sharing your cool story with us too!

[@jimtolen2689]

Please show the modifications to come! I love your videos, and they are the first thing I watch after I read the paper on Sunday morning. Keep them coming, Neil.

[@digdrivediy]

Will do!

[@MyClutteredGarage]

Amazing video, Neil. Thank you, cousin Jon and family for preserving this piece of history. Oh and Neil, that transition from hand-held to drone shot of the truck was not lost on me. Nicely done! 😄👍

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much Ed! 😊

[@dwjr5129]

Yes! By all means, follow this project through to the end! Love it!

[@ClarkJackson]

I'm going to mirror the sentiment shown here on lots of other posts. What a perfect video, I love how you took the time to film the whole process and over the months that it happened and you know gave a complete video of the whole thing instead of a piece here and a piece there where it would have been a disjointed story. The bloopers at the end were good. The video was just simply fantastic, this is my first time commenting but I thought the video was so good that I just had to say something. Thank you so much for providing entertaining videos and especially this video which was so so so good. ❤❤❤❤

[@digdrivediy]

I'm honored to read your first comment! Thanks so much for watching!

[@calebmiller1875]

Super cool! Can't wait to see the workshop in the 2nd story completed!

[@MaartenBoonen]

Amazing video Neil! loved how you showed the history and progress on preserving this little jewel.

[@digdrivediy]

Many thanks!

[@featheredcoyote5477]

Neil, your video content and what you cover is on another level. Appreciate you showing the steps on how this barn was moved, along with sentimental ties to family and local history. Roemke barn will last another 100 years now and please keep us updated with the finishing steps of that old barn. Awesome!!!!

[@digdrivediy]

Much appreciated. I'm so glad they decided to save it.

[@RollTide24-7]

When he asked his cousin "why are you saving this barn?" And I heard him say " well it's been in my family since 1955" I was instantly thinking heck YEA! That's the barn grandpa made and if that was me and I could. I would be doing the exact same thing! I personally RESPECT the fact that your cousin has enough dignity and RESPECT for the past generations before him too actually save, love, appreciate, respect and FULLY APPRECIATE and again LOVE the FAMILY HISTORY that's ALL WITHIN them walls! NOTHING BUT RESPECT to the BOTH of YOU and I thank you so much for this video! It has REALLY meant a LOT to me an I don't have a clue who y'all are 🤣😂😅 God Bless!

[@paraweir]

Yes please, keep us updated on the further barn construction...

[@martharock8377]

I loved watching the modern machinery meets history and helped to preserve it! This video was so great 👍 ❤

[@jimmccormick6091]

As always, thanks for sharing. Thank your cousin for allowing us to see this process too. On television, there are many shows that deal with moving houses, or buildings, or even boats, across land. Some move only a few feet, some move miles. Invariably, to "add interest", they create drama.... "on, no, there are overhear electric wires! THIS could be a catastrophe!" or "Uh oh, a bridge! How will they overcome it?" And, as I watch this, I think the television crew is always doing the movers a dis service. I am sure the movers knew about those power linles, or bridges, or each and every obstacle LONG before the move, and had plans in place to deal with each and every one. As you mentioned about Wolfe... they know what they are doing!

[@digdrivediy]

Absolutely!

[@tylerschwarz1505]

Awesome video Neil. Thanks for bringing us along on the barn move. Very interesting and glad the barn was saved. Would definitely be interested in seeing all the finishing they do to this barn.

[@maryellen5970]

Yes, please. I'd love to see more about this project. :)

[@SmithyScotland]

Truly amazing. Thanks for documenting this. Please keep us updated on what you do with the beams. People pay a fortune for those.

[@Nicholaskleyn]

What a fun project. Good morning.

[@digdrivediy]

Morning!

[@craigc.7033]

Neil, Absolutely amazing video! Your knowledge is priceless! This world needs more people like you.

[@Spuddy-zd6do]

Just opened up youtube and see this, Excellent Timing Neil

[@edolsavicky5063]

Not lucky, but very deserving of our watching. Thanks for sharing this preservation for all of our grandchildren

[@paulwalter703]

Hello Neil, I found your channel about 6 months ago. I have watched and liked every video you ever posted, huge fan of your ability to tell stories you have truly found your calling! I couldn't make it to the Fort Wayne farm show but was wondering if you plan to attend the Louisville Farm Machinery show this month? I would like to stop by and say hello if you are going to be there.

[@digdrivediy]

I might be going but not for sure yet. Thanks so much for watching the videos! I really appreciate it.

[@lynnshuman1009]

Great video Neil! Felt like I was watching a documentary! It's nice to see old barns that still have good bones saved and utilized for a new purpose whenever feasible.

[@ALZ2526]

Neil, thanks for sharing that was really cool to watch. Happy to see the history saved!!

[@barbkrienke8400]

Thank you for sharing this amazing old barn and the incredible technology that moved it!! That was something else to watch!! Your cousin looks SO happy!!! I love that your family is so close and that everyone was able to come together to share the experience. ❤ I would be thrilled to watch any videos on the future of this amazing barn!

[@digdrivediy]

Our pleasure!

[@ianmckay1780]

Neil, you know us by now... You ask a daft question like: do you want to see something being restored? OF COURSE WE DO!!!You do it, we'll watch it. You know how to impart history to the masses and make it interesting for almost everyone. You have the kind of voice that makes people listen, not because of a fault, but because you show your love for history and all it entails. Thank you, I am from UK and have no knowledge about rural life in the states. It is a chance to learn, so I grab it with both hands. Thank you for all you do for us, most things will interest somebody. no matter how obscure, somebody will watch. I've never seen anything obscure on your channel, maybe a bit niche but that is where the interest come in, Gool lad (I'm 25+ yrs your senior so I can call you lad), keep up the good work and see you next time (no maybe about it).

[@rdyardie]

I am from Saskatchewan, Canada. The old barns are slowly being torn down. My Aunt Jenny passed away and her memorial service was held "at the farm". There was a lot to take in that day about two years ago. Of course there were some tears with all the memories. The old barn is still standing along with granaries and the old three story farm house. The farm house is only used during the summer. The cousin living there has moved to the city with his wife for the winters. The old barn has started to sag and show its age. Your video is one of those "WOW" experiences that show how new technologies are being incorporated into moving buildings. That had to be expensive. Thank you for sharing history. You had to have your research done before making a great piece of work. Thank you. (By the way, around here, quonsets are commonly built using galvanized steel.)

[@JeffersonDad]

I'm in Residential Design and this video is your best to date. Right in my wheelhouse of enjoyment - I hope you show an updated video in the future - Thanks!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks!

[@heating316]

I would love to see the continual progress of the barn, i love old barns and i think it is just amazing to see the preservation take place! Thank you for the treat!

[@americanpatriot2979]

I helped my uncle move his barn in the 90's same kind of roof. We moved it about mile & a half 2 days moving. Awesome video brings back memories.

[@digdrivediy]

That is awesome!

[@carolynhogan6816]

I enjoyed it. The way they move things these days is amazing! Thanks for all your work filming for us! And yes I would love to see their Reno this summer! Stay Warm and Safe! It is 62 and sunny here in Central Texas! See you next Sunday!

[@stevehennessy3588]

Great video! This barn was in great shape, so glad your cousin decided to keep it in the family. Would love to see what he does to keep making it practical for his needs - always gives me ideas for my own barn.

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

Thank you for taking us along, Neil. My grandfather, who was a farmer, said if you could keep the roof and foundation up, that a barn would stand the test of time. Nice to see this one saved. Would love to see updates as you are able to show them. Thanks again!

[@johnmallen9709]

Finally my sunday fix 😊 keep up the great work 👌🏻

[@terryrogers1025]

I would bet this video is going to be one of the most viewed videos you have produced, what an awesome save of an old building for a new purpose. Those beams you saved have got a project just waiting to show itself and it sure would be a fun project to use them just for the sake of repurposing them for what ever. That moving company have nice equipment and this was not their first rodeo, excellent job of lifting, cribbing. Beautiful job of cribbing, been awhile since I’ve witnessed that. To me, even though pumper trucks have been around awhile, they still are a modern marvel of the construction industry and a huge labor saver. Thanks for the video, I really appreciate the effort you’ve taken to make this video.

[@danielrapoza8468]

Awesome video Neil. YES PLEASE !!! I would love to follow along the entire process as this great barn gets completely built out to its new use. Thanks for sharing. Dan 😊

[@PYGolf]

This is one of the best videos I've seen on KZbin in a while. Definitely need more of the barn!! Call it Barn'in it up! My gift to you 😂

[@lisaharvey4373]

Neil I just love the Gothic Barn when growing up the neighbors had one we played countless hours of basketball up in the hay loft with the neighbor kids Great Times! So glad to see this barn Saved!!!

[@JimFinlayson]

I’m happy to see that folks with the financial means are doing the “right thing”.

[@michaelmaker8169]

I Will love to see the remodeling of this old barn. I helped my old boss pour a foundation under his old barn years ago and saw some of the posts and beams spliced back into place. These old barns must have been 200 years old. They are awesome. The spans and weight they can hold is amazing. Fortunately they still do Post and beam construction. God bless.

[@reiffs2000]

BlufftonReiff here. Thanks for documenting the move. Super cool equipment and thanks for asking all the questions and getting explanations! You are a seriously busy dude!!! Thanks for the Sunday installment!

[@Ede74]

Hi Neil, preserving your own history is something very valuable, your descendants can learn a lot from it. Unfortunately, today's society has become very fast-paced and therefore many such buildings are being demolished. I would very much like to see the further progress of the construction. Thanks for showing greetings from Germany

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks for watching in Germany!

[@bobwatson9290]

Yes, more on the progress on this project. This reminds me of when I was a kid in the ‘70s and they moved the towns historic brick train station across town to preserve it after they built the new station.

[@Drfsr77422]

That was incredibly amazing. Thank you. Nothing like saving an old barn. Great video work on each step of the build. Thank you

[@davidepperson2376]

I am always so appreciative of these videos - and it never ceases to amaze me that you find new projects to document. A cup of coffee and your video before church - pretty darn cool!

[@3MileRundown]

Fascinating. Genuinely very interesting.

[@Georgiagreen317]

As always, another interesting Sunday morning. It would be interesting to follow along as the owner finishes the building. It is unique for sure. One of the more enjoyable aspects of these videos is how your generation makes use of the modern equipment available these days. The automated dollies were certainly worth the viewing time alone. Thanks again Neil.

[@digdrivediy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@blackdogexcavator21]

That is impressive, I'm glad they saved it.

[@toekneefurareoh]

Probably could have made this a 3 part series, but you didn’t. And I appreciated watching every minute. Thanks for sharing.

[@digdrivediy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DrummerZoot]

Yes, please share more on this barn! So great when people have the means/ability/desire to do so. Loved the blooper reel. 😀

[@johndernberger1961]

Thanks for saving those beams! Those will make great fireplace mantels and other furniture , etc. kudos to the family for saving this barn

[@gregkneubuhler5798]

That was a really cool video. I have lived within a mile of this barn my entire life. Glad to see it saved. The Smiley Face Barn!!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Greg! I'm so glad they have preserved it and the smile is still visible from a distance.

[@californiadreamer2580]

Absolutely love these old barns, and am sad when they're destroyed. So glad others want to save them. It's a treat to watch skilled craftsmen doing their work! Thanks for the video ❤

[@LennyLeLizard]

I've moved quite a lot of industrial equipment over my 28 year career, but I've never seen anything like this. Must be the coolest rigging I've ever seen!

[@jeanvaljohn3921]

Nicely done presentation. Over here near the quad cities we have half a dozen beyond repair barns.

[@digdrivediy]

I thought it was brilliant!

[@craigsavage7515]

Yes please. Would love to see continued progress on this project. Interesting and entertaining at the same time. Thanks for your efforts.

[@rexg1960]

Great video. Thx! And yes I would love seeing the progress to the very end of this treasure.

[@grandy0406]

I really love the way you saved those beams. Great video. One of my favorites.

[@GuyKrack]

This was cool, I‘m always looking foorward to see your videos. Keep on doing that, Best Regards from a few thousend miles over the Ocean❤ Thanks for the good Contend 👍

[@digdrivediy]

Thank you very much!

[@YitzchakHalevi]

Great stuff. Preserving history! Please keep us updated on this barn.

[@1970pizza]

What a brilliant video , please show updates on this brilliant barn work , people are saying that this is your best video so far , I have to agree with them . Your very good with a drone mate , your coverage on this barn move was very professional

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much! I actually had two drones going during the move and my brother was flying one of them for me.

[@DavidDragonhammer]

Please dont ever change,you make me smile everytime I see your video,keep up the fun.

[@bill944]

I'm not a farmer and my family hasn't been involved in farming for generations but I admire the farmer's spirit, know how, and ingenuity. I'm also grateful for the products that they provide. Can't explain it but I love old barns with a passion. Please show us more of the work on this barn.

[@donaanderson6479]

Absolutely yes! Would love to see the continuation of the barn restoration. Very interesting.

[@jeremyjohnson2099]

Very cool video Neil!