Above 1200 Sq/FT Little House on the Prairie at The Bootheel Farm

[west_perf]

I just closed on a 1400 sqft farm house, barn, and 3.5 acres in southeast Missouri, right on the cusp of the boot heel, the far southeast portion of the state. It was once part of a 70 acre farm, the land has been split off and sold and is currently under tillage.

My grandparents farmed just a couple of miles from here, my mom was raised nearby, my aunt lives down the road, and I have a number of acquaintances in the area.

The end state of this is to renovate and modernize the house, use the barn for tractor restorations, and build an 80x50 shop on the south part of the property in the future. It will be a seasonal residence for now, as we maintain two properties down in the sunshine state and I have no interest in moving full time.

Here's a couple pics of the house and barn on day #1, so join along with this journey.

 

[Boostingaz]

Awesome. Can't with to see what you have in store for it and eventually in it. Male sure to include some details and photos of the tractor restorations when they begin!

 

[west_perf]

Here's a couple tractor pictures, I restored the 420. It was my grandfathers' tractor that he used on the ground just a couple miles away.

I currently have the 40,420, A, and an unstyled 'G'.

 

[west_perf]

Made it through the first night at the farm. I bought this place because it's remote, there's no close neighbors, but that also means no close help or watchful eyes. I hadn't been here 10 minutes when a guy came walking down the road carrying a gas can, sounded like he had walked a few miles and still had at least 4 miles to go to get to the gas station. He asked if I had a gallon of gas, which I did as I just bought some for the mower. I gave him a gallon and he went quickly back the way he came, seemed like a decent guy and didn't give off any weird vibes. Hope my intuition is right on this. This area has a long history of tweakers and thieves.

Sometime in the middle of the night a truck came ripping down the gravel road, reminded me of being a kid and hearing trucks driving by at 50 miles per hour down a small gravel road, my grandparents always said they were going to the tavern. Many nights as a kid I peeked out the window watching a dust cloud and two tails lights go off down the road.

See that tree in the distance to the left of the road? That's my place.

 

[west_perf]

Here's a picture of my grandparent's old place. This is just a couple miles away from here. I loved going there as a kid, what great memories. I had a chance to buy this place back in 2012 as it was in foreclosure for $19k and I passed on it for stupid dumb reasons. Always regretted it. It's been torn down for years.

 

[west_perf]

I've got to address some wiring in the barn

 

[west_perf]

Question for the experts about power. I have 200 Amp service to the pole. The house has a 100 amp main breaker, does that mean 100 amps is going to the barn panel (shown above)?

The wire sizes look the same going to the house and the barn (overhead wires).

 

[west_perf]

Morning front porch view

 

[DennisK59]

That looks like an old 60 amp panei or less, put a disconnect for the incoming line at the pole. Start over!

 

[jollygreengiant]

I'll be following this one.

Are you mostly into green tractors or other brands too?

 

[west_perf]

I'll be following this one.

Are you mostly into green tractors or other brands too?

Mostly green, but I wouldn't be against working on some other brands. Of interest are Ford diesels. I'm not a big MF/Farmall fan, love em but love the two cylinders more. I intend to get into the new generation John Deeres next.

 

[Sifan]

When you get settled in and hungry ... Lambert's at Sikeston

 

[jollygreengiant]

When you get settled in and hungry ... Lambert's at Sikeston

Oh wow does that bring back some memories! Stopped in there on our southern leg of a US crop tour, it was great! Was really curious if we would see someone catch a bun to the face, but alas we did not lol.

 

[west_perf]

Had another visitor today, the gentlemen that used to own the farm stopped by to introduce himself and showed me a couple things around the house. It was nice hearing some of the history and making another friend in the process. Sounds like there will be quite a few people in the area watching out for me and I very much appreciate it.

 

[Jacko264]

Very interesting place you have loving it
keep up the good work
Graham

 

[west_perf]

It’s a cool night and Im running the heater. The center pad, is the one that works on low, Doesn’t seem to be burning right, Any ideas. Never mind, I found a video that explained how to blow out the burner tubes

 

[west_perf]

Had a little excitement and learned a lesson last night. Went out on the front yard right before bed to take a l....I mean I was checking out the views again. Out of the dark I see a shadow running towards me quickly, I counted four legs. A quick retreat into the house and I saw 3 wild dogs at my front steps, I went back outside and they took off running on down the road. Good reminder to stay vigilant and armed, if they had been violent it could have been a problem, and quickly.

 

[Boostingaz]

Making some good progress and having some fun in the process so far it sounds like

I should get some pics for you. My neighbor is restoring an Oliver tractor right now and has another one on the way too. He's kind of a tractor hoarder. He's got several Ford's sitting around that we use for various things. I don't know if you can kind of make out the Oliver in that last photo. It's got a loader on it.

 

[jollygreengiant]

That Oliver looks like the 4 number series, the last one before they stopped making them. Maybe a 1650 or 1750 or similar?

 

[west_perf]

I love the Ford 3000. A lady I know has a 5000 diesel I have a standing offer to buy.

 

[west_perf]

Here's a couple progress pictures. First, I was working on the subfloor. Might rip the entire thing up. I bought 19/32 and the existing floor is 5/8. Drats!
I installed blinds where blankets used to be to keep out the light. I got my computer set up and I can say it's almost a perfect view.


A yard pic! Tonight will be a good night for a firepit.


My little pal warming up by the heater. She's a good buddy, a rescue dog that in some ways rescued me. I found her on a local dog group we've adopted four dogs from over the years, she ran right into my lap and started licking my face. The foster family was stunned, they said she never did that and that someone returned her after a week due to her personality. I told them I'm taking this one home and she'll be with me until one of us goes to the Lord. I also have a couple big dogs, but real men love little dogs!!

 

[Boostingaz]

I love the Ford 3000. A lady I know has a 5000 diesel I have a standing offer to buy.

The 3000 is a diesel and it bush hogs quite nicely!

 

[Boostingaz]

That Oliver looks like the 4 number series, the last one before they stopped making them. Maybe a 1650 or 1750 or similar?

I'll get more details on the Oliver next time I'm over is his shop.

 

[west_perf]

Removed the fake shutters today. Makes the house look cleaner. Cut the grass and cleaned up a bit. Big home improvement orange store delivered a fridge, and then dinged it on the way through the door. They offered me a discount but I'd rather have one not marked up.

Grilled up a t-bone steak tonight on my $40 Weber genesis grill.

 

[west_perf]

Got my stove in. Testing the chimney fit, had to pull it out further from the wall than I wanted due to a rafter. But that gives more clearance so it will be fine. Watched a beautiful sunset.

 

[west_perf]

Got the chimney installed yesterday. And just in time for 25 deg temps.

It was a little unnerving cutting open a perfect good sealed metal roof, but it turned out good. Had to bring the shop vac up on the roof to clean out some sawdust that got into my ceiling support box, but doing it right once was worth it.

 

[Boostingaz]

Looks good, nice work! Your gonna be glad that project is off the list when it's keeping you warm!

 

[west_perf]

It's burning real nice! Today is windy and cool. Tomorrow is supposed to be cold. I should rename this thread to "Little house on the Prairie" because the winds are fierce without many trees around.

 

[Boostingaz]

It's burning real nice! Today is windy and cool. Tomorrow is supposed to be cold. I should rename this thread to "Little house on the Prairie" because the winds are fierce without many trees around.

My desert blood doesn't want to hear it. 18mph today and this was taken 30 seconds ago ......

 

[west_perf]

My desert blood doesn't want to hear it. 18mph today and this was taken 30 seconds ago ......

Send it over here! We've just got strong winds and chilly air

 

[djones1a]

Your place reminds me of my grandparents farm in Cardwell Mo in the 70's.

 

[Boostingaz]

Send it over here! We've just got strong winds and chilly air

 

[west_perf]

The sunsets look extra sweet.

 

[west_perf]

To recap, I got the wood stove installed, ran a new power line with a dedicated breaker for the well house, got LED lights for the barn, and enjoyed very much the peace and quiet. Took the dogs for morning walks and nightly SxS rides through the countryside. It's the first time in almost a decade I feel free.

 

[west_perf]

Got some more work done. Mainly drove back down south to pick up one of my tractors - a '38 John Deere G. I bought it disassembled, with a goal to put it together over the winter. That probably won't happen now, but at least I have an actual barn to do it in instead of doing in my driveway. It's a heavy ******* and not running it's a challenge to move around. Got it off the trailer and positioned OK for a while.


The fire roared a couple nights and my stove kept the house an even 72 all night.

I'm out in the county, but 15 miles from town. Took my little pal for a ride, she looked out the window for a minute and then proceeded to nap like usual.


One night we had thunderstorms, it's a unique experience where the thunder is loud as there's nothing to muffle the sound.



Didn't feel good most of the past week, just drained and tired. Took a little time this afternoon to exercise freedom in my own yard, a feeling that cannot be overstated. I'm mid 40s and Ive never been able to do that til now.

 

[west_perf]

Made some more progress little at a time.
The well was powered by an extension cord running thru a window. I ran a new circuit from the panel and 12/2 wire thru the attic and buried ground rated romex.
here I’m testing it out and glad to say it works.

 

[west_perf]

Here’s a couple pics of my work buddy and a couple sunsets.

 

[west_perf]

I ran some wiring thru the attic. It’s a little dusty with some dead mice but solid overall.

then I got my firewood situation resolved. I’m way behind the curve here but it’s a good start. I very much enjoy stacking splitting and hauling firewood.

 

[west_perf]

I was playing the the John Deeres back south, the old A is due for a restoration, maybe a holiday project this year. Something to make the place a mess so the wife has to deal with it over the holidays,

 

[Boostingaz]

@west_perf

I know you're a fan of JD. Here is a little history video about where I work. Thought you might like some of the old pictures and videos.