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Twin Valley Barns 13204 SE 8th Place
Kelsey Creek Farm, originally the Twin Valley Dairy Farm, is one of the few remnants of dairy farming in the Bellevue area. Dairying was the principal branch of agriculture in King County by 1940. Today's 80-acre Kelsey Creek Park was part of the 190-acre Twin Valley Dairy Farm operated by the W. E. Duey family during 1920s and 1930s. In 1921, the Dueys purchased the land from the Haller family. The Twin Valley Farm was named for the valleys on either side of the barns. The first barn was built in 1923-1924 and destroyed by fire in 1933. It was rebuilt within two weeks by Mr. Duey. The adjacent, small red barn was built in 1930s and used as a milk house. The Duey's sold the land during the depression but continued to operate the farm until John Michael purchased it in 1942. John Michael built the North (or Pottery) barn in 1943-1944. Ray and Nettie Fisher purchased the farm next. They phased out dairy operation and switched to raising beef cattle. In terms of significance, the Twin Valley Dairy Farm was important in the economy and history of the Bellevue area. Although these are no longer working dairy barns, their incorporation into Kelsey Creek Park reflects their importance to the City of Bellevue. Valley Barns clearly relate to the study unit themes of agriculture, and because of the physical integrity of their exterior facades and the quality of the construction, also to architecture. |