In 2004, we purchased an abandoned and very unusual farmstead along the Elk River known locally as the Rock Garden. This major restoration project will one day become home for us as well as Elk Falls Pottery.
The two story farm house was originally built in 1896 and was the long time home of Maude Frakes. After the death of her husband Marion in 1930, she began the development of the stone and concrete porches, gazebo, fountains, pools and other garden monuments. Stones were collected from across the country to be used in the constructions. Included were stones from every state, petrified wood, arrowheads. stalactites, stalagmites and even smooth round stones from Denmark. Most notable were the concrete elephants which were part of her large collection of elephants relating to her political affiliation. Most of the concrete elephants still remain while the rest of her vast collection was lost to treasure seekers, as were many other possessions after her death in 1954. The property became sadly dilapidated and overgrown with English ivy, trees and brambles.
Even though wildly overgrown, vandalized, and fallen into extreme disrepair, the property held fascination and a vision for us. We wanted to restore the site for our own use and for others to enjoy, eventually including a bed and breakfast. Son Zach helped with initial clean up, clearing, and taming the tangled growth that had all but engulfed the house and outbuildings. Many months were spent just with chainsaw and brush fires. Many of the buildings had already collapsed, but others were slowly dismantled, salvaging lumber, metal roofing and stones to repair the barn and for future projects.
The main barn will become the pottery studio. Two additions have been added as well as major repair and renovations to accommodate clay processing, forming, glazing and firing areas. We are using salvaged materials as much as possible, dimensional lumber, barn siding, galvanized roofing, and even cast iron sinks from the old house have all been used in renovating the barn.
The worst sections of the house have been removed to make room for a new timber frame addition, which will become our living quarters, while the original house will become the bed and breakfast for overnight guests.
From the beginning, we knew this would be a long term project, stretching over many years. The reasons for this approach are several. First, it suits our style: developing our ideas as we take each step. Some of our original ideas have changed as we progressed and some mistakes were avoided by taking our time. Also, we have decided not to set deadlines, which only create frustration, but instead to enjoy the process as part of the reward of hard work. And perhaps more importantly, we only do what we can afford, we never borrow to make things happen more quickly.
