If walls could talk

The walls of a 1918 barn that were once filled with laughter and music from neighborhood barn dances, and saw a thriving dairy operation, has found new life! Several boards from this barn now grace the interior of Flagship Commons, Westroads Mall in Omaha.
     The barn was built by Landon Torneten's great-great-grandfather Bill Torneten. Landon, the son of Beth Torneten (early childhood specialist, Halverson), recently wrote a paper for a 4-H project. To gather information, Landon interviewed his grandparents and did research about the purchase of the land and farm located at 19858 245 St., Council B luffs. 
     Landon's great-great-grandfather hand cut the lumber for the barn's gambrel roof which allowed for more hay storage. The barn ended up being 80' long, 32' wide and 36' from the eaves to the peak.  
     The barn was originally built with the intent of having a cattle business. Instead it became home to a dairy facility which thrived for 35 years before closing in 1973. 
     Through the years, the barn slowly started to deteriorate. The family couldn't bare to see it bulldozed or burned to the ground, so they contacted A & R Salvage to dismantle and repurpose the wood. The table in the food court is made from the barn's thicker beams and the rest is from the upper level hay loft floor and other parts of the interior.
    So if you ever eat at Flagship Commons, you will know the history behind the beautiful wood walls and tables! Thank you to Landon for sharing his story!