Neumann family barn in New Richland Township, built by Gustav Neumann after he purchased 160 acres of bare land in 1880. In 1889 he built the barn using timber frame construction held together with wooden pegs. Originally the timber frame sat on ground level with 10" x 10" beams placed on rocks; no other foundation. Family stories relate how Gustav spent the previous winter cutting notches and tongues in the beams to assemble in the spring. By 1930s and 40s the lower level deteriorated, walls were patched with any scrap lumber available. In 1942 Otto W. Neumann, son of Gustav, had the entire lower level replaced with clay tile blocks. This was accomplished with the help of only one skilled one-handed mason, working with the Neumann family, Carl Larson from Ellendale; lost his hand in a lumber accident, no artificial hand, he just put a sock over the stump and used it to help guide things which he grasped with his good hand. Carl stayed with the Neumann family during the work week week; on Saturday, Otto would take him home for the weekend and pick him up on Monday morning. In 1968 Otto E. Neumann, son of Otto W. and grandson of Gustav, purchased the farm. In 1970 a ramp was built to the second level of the barn. The ramp made the second level available for a workshop and storage area.
