The state bought the barn from its original owner, S.B. Vaughters, in the early 2000s to preserve it.

The state bought the barn from its original owner, S.B. Vaughters, in the early 2000s to preserve it.

A historic DeKalb County barn is getting a makeover, and the repairs will ensure new generations will learn about the building's history.

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Vaughters' Barn, the former dairy farm, opened in the 1940s and closed in the early 2000s as a horse barn.  Now, it sits empty in an open field.

Mera Cardenas is the executive director of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance. Her organization looks after the property along with Panola Mountain State Park.  She says even with with cars passing by the every few minutes, it’s quiet out by the barn. 

"You’re 20 minutes outside Atlanta, and it feels like you’re a world away," she said.

Cardenas says Vaughters’ barn will help people learn about the area’s history.

“DeKalb County used to be covered up with dairy farms. It was a huge industry here, and this is one of the remainders of that agricultural history."

Cardenas says she expects the barn to start hosting public events in the spring.

The barn was used as a dairy farm, then for angus beef, and later for horses over its 60 years in operation.

The barn was used as a dairy farm, then for angus beef, and later for horses over its 60 years in operation.

Tags: restoration  vaughters' barn  Dekalb County  Atlanta  Georgia