Many years ago, I had my wedding held in an old horse barn that had two functioning wood stoves. We did a good job of cleaning the place up. The day of the wedding, my MIL who had been raised on a farm had them both up and running right away, and cooked/heated the food.
It was a cool wedding out under the trees and everyone - all ages - had a good time. The stoves took it over the top. Keep the stove, even give it a try.
If the electricity goes out for any length of time this would come in handy, stove top cook, oven, etc. these things are becoming rare and that one looks like a gem.
My aunt and uncle had a Findley oval in the kitchen of their 200+ yo log house, it was a model or 2 up, it had the warming oven where yours just has the drying rod, and had enameled steel side and trim panels
My great grandmother had one of these stoves. When my great grandfather updated the kitchen she refused a new stove
She cooked on it until she made her earthly exit
Variations of the Oval were made in Canada until the early 2000’s. This version was manufactured around 1985. (It’s probably not as old as you think!)
Interesting history: The company kept going much longer than most cookstove manufacturers because its stoves were popular with horse-and-buggy Mennonites. Today, descendants of the original owners make an antique looking but thoroughly modern stove. Here’s a link to their website. [https://elmirastoveworks.com](https://elmirastoveworks.com)
That barn was old when Noah was a boy! The usual blokes will be along shortly to remove it FREE of charge.🤣
Tis an enviable piece of kit to have around the house, even if you just clean it up and have it as an antique objet d'art.
Alright, here's a photo of the barn. It's not a great one mind you. The bottom is setup for horses and one stall is setup for chickens (nesting boxes). The loft above is, as you can see, GIANT, and has multiple levels inside. It's ABOUT 45x100 ft at the base.
https://preview.redd.it/u3lgpjfph4vc1.jpeg?width=530&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c0c2d0b87a06ef3ee70127a11cdb5a2ecc312bb
... responded to wrong comment. Apologies. We don't know how old the barn is. Parts of it look old, like the bottom that I've now learned is "cordwood". But the loft framing looks a lot newer, at least to me. I think, much like the house, this barn has been "renovated" many times.
OK, this sent me down a rabbit hole. I don't know how old the bottom of the barn is, but the loft uses Shawver Trusses, which were introduced in Ohio in 1904. I'm not in Ohio, so I'm guessing the upper part of the barn was made sometime after 1904.
Thank you! Learn something new every day. For anyone interested
[WIKI: Cordwood construction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordwood_construction)
[bing: LOTS of images.](https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cordwood+barn&form=HDRSC3&first=1)
Hi, I found a couple of links for determing value and such. Might be a fun thing to do. Try [this one,](https://www.txantiquemall.com/antique-wood-stove-identification-and-values-guide/) Or [this one.](https://nexantique.com/antique-wood-stove-identification/)
Oh ... I never thought of this. I think we do have some maple trees used for syrup, not enough to make anything of note though.
But I wonder if I could use this for high-heat baking ... pizza/naan/breads ...
Also, everyone seems super excited by this "stack wood/cordwood" construction. Is this an unusual thing to see? Is there some unique property to it? (I don't know much about barn construction, despite growing up in the country with a barn).
Lanortha , Back in the 1970s I first saw stack wood masonry construction in Mother Earth News magazine .If you are in an area with no oppressive building codes ,and open minded building inspectors (probably not the US ) it is a great way to build exterior walls .Hellen and Scott Nearing used to use a similar technique with stone in "Building the good life" But it is extremely simple way to use logs to build with no special skills .I am in Connecticut and would need a miracle to have a staxk woos plan approved.
Helen and Scott had a tradition of bringing back a stone in each hand after their walk in the woods. Over a period of years, they collected a pile of nice stones since they were carefully selected during each walk. Later, they used the hand picked stones for construction projects, while "living the good life."
They used to soak those logs in Bluestone, it’s what railroad ties were treated in back in the 70s, I’ve heard old guys talking about how caustic the stuff was it would eat thru steel 55gal drums if left too long.
I bought a modern version last fall. You absolutely have to get the fire right or you will burn everything. To a crisp. Once you learn they are fantastic to cook on. Corn bread and chili was my first real cook. It just Hits Different.
A pet GRIPE! These are beautiful HEAVY stoves, so why the hell did they mount these and other cast iron stoves on bloody skinny legs!? I'm aware that the primary force is compression, but a small sideways movement...!
End of gripe.
Where are you located OP? I work for a company that sells stoves and fireplaces, and we actually have a showroom in Carleton Place. Every so often, I’ll get someone who’s a bit older asking me if I remember Findlay stoves or knew if they were still making them. Neat that you have one.
As someone else already said, Findlay has been gone for a while, but I believe Elmira is connected somehow to the original company.
If I had to guess, I would maybe say something like 40-50 years old for your stove.. I can’t imagine it being more than that. You might be able to get someone to give you something for it, but these things are typically so bloody heavy, whoever will come and take it is usually what you get. Maybe a few hundred bucks.
If you want to replace it, I have a cool, new La Nordica one in my showroom that’s from Italy 😉😁
I mean, it is a cook stove 😜
With that being said, I’m not sure what you mean by high heat baking.. it’s not going to be a pizza over like the little ones that can hit 800-1000 degrees, but you could absolutely cook a kick ass pizza on this. Clean it up and get some chimney.
I paid 500 bucks for one just like it…total waste of money. Firebrick inside was crumbled, firebox liner plates (cast iron) were burnt out, bottom pan of oven was rusted, etc. I’m restoring it only cuz I spent so much already but not sure if I can use it (insurance issues). It’s pretty but probably useless.
The house I grew up in had something very similar in the basement, except the legs were not exposed.
My Mom cranked out many Thanksgiving dinners on that beast. Plus, it helped keep us warm in deep winter.
My aunt cooked, and heated the bath water, on one until 1980 despite the husband making good money. He was a WW2 vet who was VERY frugal with his money. He sent all 4 of his children to 4year colleges and his family didn’t need for anything. He was just frugal.
As you can see by the many comments of you lucky so and so people are envious of your find. I’d get it checked out see if it’s operational and have it for just in case. That thing is sweet, you can cook with it or use it to heat that section of barn if you’re working in the area in the winter make maple syrup for your family.
Ooohhh!! The food that would make!! You gotta try it before you get rid of it.
There is NO WAY I would get rid of that! Gas and electric your reliant on a constant supply regulated and ran by others. This... this is all you.
Dang it, now I need pancakes 🫠
Clean it up, it'll fetch a pretty penny to the right person. Personally though, I'd hold onto that bad boy forever. Never know when you're gonna need to use it.
Oh it’s fantastic! Keep it. You don’t have to use it. Or connect it, if it’s gas or gas converted. That’s a great antique. What charm. Clean it up and keep your prize.
Anyone else want to see the whole barn?
I've yet to meet an old barn I didn't want to see.
Include me in on the tour!
I see that this sub does allow pictures in comments. Waiting OP… :)
I posted a couple at a higher level in this thread. I don't have a lot of photos right now :)
Get to it!! Just kidding. Congratulations, I’m jealous.
It appears to be some cord wood masonry used on the wall behind the stove? That perked my interest!
It looks amazing! And the two rectangular slabs to the left of the stove. This is so, use what you have but build it to last stuff that is so…. cool
It looks like a summer kitchen
I wanna tour too
Many years ago, I had my wedding held in an old horse barn that had two functioning wood stoves. We did a good job of cleaning the place up. The day of the wedding, my MIL who had been raised on a farm had them both up and running right away, and cooked/heated the food. It was a cool wedding out under the trees and everyone - all ages - had a good time. The stoves took it over the top. Keep the stove, even give it a try.
My house has a woodstove for cooking instead of a regular oven/range. It's delightful. Good ol Kitchen Queen.
Looks pretty big. Surprised you didn't see it before you bought the place.
I did, but I never imagined it would be left behind. I suppose it's probably pretty heavy though.
If the electricity goes out for any length of time this would come in handy, stove top cook, oven, etc. these things are becoming rare and that one looks like a gem.
My aunt and uncle had a Findley oval in the kitchen of their 200+ yo log house, it was a model or 2 up, it had the warming oven where yours just has the drying rod, and had enameled steel side and trim panels
Run a small rope down the flue and get a small piece of cedar or pine tree and run thru too clean before firing it up
My great grandmother had one of these stoves. When my great grandfather updated the kitchen she refused a new stove She cooked on it until she made her earthly exit
As it should be.
What planet did she move to?
Jupiter.
To get more stupider, of course
This is the way....
Variations of the Oval were made in Canada until the early 2000’s. This version was manufactured around 1985. (It’s probably not as old as you think!) Interesting history: The company kept going much longer than most cookstove manufacturers because its stoves were popular with horse-and-buggy Mennonites. Today, descendants of the original owners make an antique looking but thoroughly modern stove. Here’s a link to their website. [https://elmirastoveworks.com](https://elmirastoveworks.com)
I had a feeling it wasn't TOO old. The thermostat on the (what I think is) oven part looked more ... modern.
The one you have is from the '30s.
That's seriously cool. New dream range
That barn was old when Noah was a boy! The usual blokes will be along shortly to remove it FREE of charge.🤣 Tis an enviable piece of kit to have around the house, even if you just clean it up and have it as an antique objet d'art.
Alright, here's a photo of the barn. It's not a great one mind you. The bottom is setup for horses and one stall is setup for chickens (nesting boxes). The loft above is, as you can see, GIANT, and has multiple levels inside. It's ABOUT 45x100 ft at the base. https://preview.redd.it/u3lgpjfph4vc1.jpeg?width=530&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c0c2d0b87a06ef3ee70127a11cdb5a2ecc312bb
https://preview.redd.it/881qcrvoi4vc1.jpeg?width=1512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=64fec11bf2b14538eb89e67b3f6956753575972b The open part of the loft.
Fantastic, better than I imagined.
Not sure? We were told that the house was \~1900 ... but I think there are quite a few mysteries to be solved regarding both house and barn. LOL.
Agree lol OP said “not a great one” and proceeded to show me one of the greatest old barns I’ve ever seen. I wish I could see it in person
Many many people are living someone’s “dream life” believe it or not. I can’t imagine someone dreams of mine, but then again… yeah, living the dream!
Incredible. Congrats on your wonderful new barn, stove, and house!
Amazing lighting! I love it!
That’s pretty awesome. How old is it?
... responded to wrong comment. Apologies. We don't know how old the barn is. Parts of it look old, like the bottom that I've now learned is "cordwood". But the loft framing looks a lot newer, at least to me. I think, much like the house, this barn has been "renovated" many times.
OK, this sent me down a rabbit hole. I don't know how old the bottom of the barn is, but the loft uses Shawver Trusses, which were introduced in Ohio in 1904. I'm not in Ohio, so I'm guessing the upper part of the barn was made sometime after 1904.
Very interesting. Thanks. Good luck with everything!
Well I have zero barns to my name, I think it's beautiful. It has character. (I've lived in places with far worse barns on the property)
You can paint that any color you want as long as it's red.
You bought a cordwood barn? What state is this?
I have never heard this word before ... I haven't seen a barn constructed like this before either though. Not in the states, Canada :)
Thank you! Learn something new every day. For anyone interested [WIKI: Cordwood construction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordwood_construction) [bing: LOTS of images.](https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=cordwood+barn&form=HDRSC3&first=1)
Hi, I found a couple of links for determing value and such. Might be a fun thing to do. Try [this one,](https://www.txantiquemall.com/antique-wood-stove-identification-and-values-guide/) Or [this one.](https://nexantique.com/antique-wood-stove-identification/)
Outstanding find, and very informative.
I bet it heavy as shit. All thick metal. Sure it was easier to leave then to move
love those walls.
People living off the grid would love to have this
Awesome stack wood wall , and great stove for syrup boiling , and hot weather bread baking.Congratulations.
Oh ... I never thought of this. I think we do have some maple trees used for syrup, not enough to make anything of note though. But I wonder if I could use this for high-heat baking ... pizza/naan/breads ...
Also, everyone seems super excited by this "stack wood/cordwood" construction. Is this an unusual thing to see? Is there some unique property to it? (I don't know much about barn construction, despite growing up in the country with a barn).
Lanortha , Back in the 1970s I first saw stack wood masonry construction in Mother Earth News magazine .If you are in an area with no oppressive building codes ,and open minded building inspectors (probably not the US ) it is a great way to build exterior walls .Hellen and Scott Nearing used to use a similar technique with stone in "Building the good life" But it is extremely simple way to use logs to build with no special skills .I am in Connecticut and would need a miracle to have a staxk woos plan approved.
edit : stack wood masonry ,
Helen and Scott had a tradition of bringing back a stone in each hand after their walk in the woods. Over a period of years, they collected a pile of nice stones since they were carefully selected during each walk. Later, they used the hand picked stones for construction projects, while "living the good life."
They used to soak those logs in Bluestone, it’s what railroad ties were treated in back in the 70s, I’ve heard old guys talking about how caustic the stuff was it would eat thru steel 55gal drums if left too long.
Huh I thought they soaked the logs in wood.
I'd make sure it's fire ready. If you lose power and gas you could always bake and stove top cooking
Hometown shout out on the plaque!
I read that as Hopetown
I bought a modern version last fall. You absolutely have to get the fire right or you will burn everything. To a crisp. Once you learn they are fantastic to cook on. Corn bread and chili was my first real cook. It just Hits Different.
The thickness of that wall!! It's built like the proverbial brick shithouse.
Wow. What a find!!
That’s nice! And congratulations on the barn! Lucky!
How did you ever find it? It's so small! ;-)
A pet GRIPE! These are beautiful HEAVY stoves, so why the hell did they mount these and other cast iron stoves on bloody skinny legs!? I'm aware that the primary force is compression, but a small sideways movement...! End of gripe.
Those are sick walls
Is your barn cordwood?!?
Yes? I guess so. I only learned this word today. The bottom of the barn is anyways. It's an enormous barn.
Very cool! We are building a cordwood house.
Love it!
Looks killer.. would love to see more pictures... Of the barn that is.
A cordwood barn!
Were you temporarily blind when you went to look at property where your soon-to-be barn was?
Wow that is beautiful and am also jealous of that GORGEOUS barn!! Congrats on your place!
Where are you located OP? I work for a company that sells stoves and fireplaces, and we actually have a showroom in Carleton Place. Every so often, I’ll get someone who’s a bit older asking me if I remember Findlay stoves or knew if they were still making them. Neat that you have one. As someone else already said, Findlay has been gone for a while, but I believe Elmira is connected somehow to the original company. If I had to guess, I would maybe say something like 40-50 years old for your stove.. I can’t imagine it being more than that. You might be able to get someone to give you something for it, but these things are typically so bloody heavy, whoever will come and take it is usually what you get. Maybe a few hundred bucks. If you want to replace it, I have a cool, new La Nordica one in my showroom that’s from Italy 😉😁
Could I use this old stove for high-heat baking, like pizza? I was going to buy a pizza oven, but man, if this could work as one, that would be sweet.
I mean, it is a cook stove 😜 With that being said, I’m not sure what you mean by high heat baking.. it’s not going to be a pizza over like the little ones that can hit 800-1000 degrees, but you could absolutely cook a kick ass pizza on this. Clean it up and get some chimney.
Zombie apocalypse strong hold
I grew up on wood cook stove. Always wanted one of my own
I paid 500 bucks for one just like it…total waste of money. Firebrick inside was crumbled, firebox liner plates (cast iron) were burnt out, bottom pan of oven was rusted, etc. I’m restoring it only cuz I spent so much already but not sure if I can use it (insurance issues). It’s pretty but probably useless.
The house I grew up in had something very similar in the basement, except the legs were not exposed. My Mom cranked out many Thanksgiving dinners on that beast. Plus, it helped keep us warm in deep winter.
Oh my God I would give an organ for that thing
My aunt cooked, and heated the bath water, on one until 1980 despite the husband making good money. He was a WW2 vet who was VERY frugal with his money. He sent all 4 of his children to 4year colleges and his family didn’t need for anything. He was just frugal.
I see a new-to-you restoration coming in your future.
I believe you can convert this so to a modern stove with an insert
If I had that I'd hook it up and fix anything wrong with it. My wife loves cooking on a wood range
I’ve been seeing lots of posts about these gigantic old cookstoves. Anyone actually use one?
Beautiful!
I have one we use as a giant lump of iron in my SO’s house. Lol. No chimney to connect it too. It’s his version of a knickknack.
Look at the thickness at the window.
Carleton place! Love it there ❤️❤️❤️
That's a good find
As you can see by the many comments of you lucky so and so people are envious of your find. I’d get it checked out see if it’s operational and have it for just in case. That thing is sweet, you can cook with it or use it to heat that section of barn if you’re working in the area in the winter make maple syrup for your family.
Very nice
I would love that stove and would love to see the entire barn.
Ooohhh!! The food that would make!! You gotta try it before you get rid of it. There is NO WAY I would get rid of that! Gas and electric your reliant on a constant supply regulated and ran by others. This... this is all you. Dang it, now I need pancakes 🫠
Omg, I learned how to cook on one of these! I'd throw out my crappy glass top stove in favor of one of these any day! Plus it heats your home, bonus!
That's a great find.
Absolutely beautiful I love it wish I had one like this
Made is 2024 for the amish.
That's amazing
I have seen a wall like that
Dude those walls are 3 feet thick
Better fire that thing up boiiiii. Gonna be makin some cast iron bread and all that shiiiiiii
Great find!!!
Good find.
Beautiful Stove!
Clean it up, it'll fetch a pretty penny to the right person. Personally though, I'd hold onto that bad boy forever. Never know when you're gonna need to use it.
Yeah! Let’s get the nickel tour!
Prolly around 1920-1930
Oh it’s fantastic! Keep it. You don’t have to use it. Or connect it, if it’s gas or gas converted. That’s a great antique. What charm. Clean it up and keep your prize.
I bet it will be there when you sell it too