After retirement from his career as a pipe fitter, Art Burger took on the task of upgrading and remodeling the home he grew up in.
At sometime through the years, he developed an interest in flowers and flower gardens. As a result, he also began working on the task of landscaping the property.
The house was built around 1904, and was most likely a simple square house. The porches appeared to have been added later. The porches were not in good condition, so Burger removed them, replacing the one on the south. That one happened to be over what was very likely a root cellar, just 15 feet by 15 feet. Burger commented that the reason the doors to cellars were slanted was to keep water out. The new cellar door is on the porch under the overhang, and houses the furnace and some of the electric service to the house.
In addition to a new porch, the house now has a new roof and siding as well as new doors and windows. Also an important addition to the house was new insulation, since many older houses were not insulated at all. Even in those houses which were insulated, most weren't well-insulated.
In addition to the house, the property held a barn, built in 1914. The barn has been improved and has a new roofing and siding. An old smokehouse, which at one time was well-used, has also seen improvement with new roof and siding. The old chicken house is in poor condition, and Burger thinks he probably will take it down and put up a workshop.
The landscaping has received extra attention, with stone walled flower beds, an old Medicine Show wagon in the front, a bicycle and a wheelbarrow, all decorated with flowers of different varieties. The old wagon is also loaded with plastic pink flamingos.
A well was drilled in 1917, and, either then or later, a metal windmill was installed to pump water. Several months ago, Burger, with some assistance took the old windmill down. But not to scrap it. His intent was to restore the windmill and return it to its site and original purpose of pumping water for the use of the house and farm. The metal frame has been put back in place and is awaiting a new head for the wind turbine to be placed on. Hopefully, the windmill will be back in service soon.
Although the restoration of the property is not back to the way it was originally, it is more comfortable, more colorful and with attractive landscaping. In addition, the property has become more modernized.