Sikeston man purchases barns built in early 1900s, moves them

SIKESTON —A Sikeston orchard is expanding by relocating two existing barns to its farm.

Trey Wilson, owner of Apple Ridge Orchard, purchased two old barns and had the first barn moved in its entirety on Nov. 9.

Wilson and his wife, Ashley Wilson, opened the orchard and store at 3887 State Highway BB in Sikeston over a year ago and have had many visitors come to pick strawberries, tulips and other flowers from their fields.

Many gathered the morning of Nov. 9 to help move the large, old barn to the orchard. Expert House Movers of St. Louis assisted in transporting the old barn from the Edwards family farm on Highway ZZ across the road and into the field.

Wilson said EHM are house and building movers who offer the ability to transport from one location to another, and Wilson felt they would be ideal for the job of moving the two old barns.

Highway ZZ was closed the morning of the move to allow the moving company to move the old barn across the road. 

SEMO Electric Cooperative was also on hand to ensure the power lines were not in the way so the barn could cross the road and move into the field safely.

Wilson said he wanted to purchase the barns because he intends to use them as a multi-purpose venue. He intends to hold festivals throughout the year, as well as table events, school field trips, and other events. 

“We will probably do some table events and festivals,” Wilson said. “Since we are an orchard, we will probably have a strawberry festival and a blueberry festival.”

Wilson said once both barns have been relocated, they will begin to work on and repair them in order to make them ready for events.

Wilson said they are also collaborating with Pacific, Missouri, architect David Pape.

According to Wilson, the first barn moved on Nov. 9 was built in the 1920s, and the second barn was built in the 1940s.

The barn was only half a mile from the orchard, and Wilson plans to move the second barn in December.