TRYING TO MAKE WAY FOR PROGRESS IN CAPE; DEVELOPER OFFERS CITY OLD LOG BARN

Stephen Strom runs his hands across his barn's old, oak logs, admiring the hand-hewn joints.

He doesn't know its age, but 1886 is carved into one of the logs. The barn could be even older.

The barn, once part of the Emil Meyer farm near Lexington Avenue and Perryville Road, is Strom's. He also owns the surrounding farmland.

To Strom, the barn is in the way of his plans for continued development of the Northfield Subdivision.

Strom, a Cape Girardeau lawyer and longtime developer, wants to preserve the barn and has asked the city if it wants to dismantle it and reassemble the logs in a city park.

Cherokee Park would be a perfect spot, Strom thinks.

The park is on Lexington on land that once was part of an adjoining farm.

"It is just an interesting structure," he said. "It is just a shame to tear it down and throw it away."

He has discussed the idea with park board chairman Jay Knudtson and parks and recreation director Dan Muser, and the three of them toured the barn last week.

"Basically, we are just looking at it right now," Muser said.

Knudtson said the city must decide if the barn is feasible to move.

"I do applaud Steve for not wanting to just tear it down," Knudtson said, adding that the barn possibly could be used as a park shelter with picnic tables inside.

To passing motorists on Lexington, it looks like just another, crumbling barn.

"To the naked eye, from the exterior, it looks very much in shambles," Knudtson said. "It even looks like it is tipping over."

One side of the barn is sinking, but Strom said the logs are still sound.

"It appears to be oak," he said. "It is good and solid."

Knudtson said, "They are kind of put together like a Lincoln Log set."

Barns aren't built this way today, Strom said, adding: "They don't build them this strong anymore."

He said the method of construction was used in Scandinavian countries long before the pioneers came here.

The barn has three sections, covered by a tin roof. Strom said this is at least the second roof on the structure.

The three log sections include two that may have been used as a horse barn, and a third that could have been used to store grain.

The barn is on land that has been farmland for more than a century. In 1850, 175 acres of tobacco grew on the farm, tended by slaves.

City officials don't have to make a quick decision. Strom said the barn won't be in the way of development for a couple of years.