I saw this big old red barn somewhere near Bad Axe. I grew up in the big city nowhere near a farm, but I do like these old barns. Years ago farmers would seal the wood with linseed oil to help protect the wood from the weather. Many would add rust to the oil because it would prohibit mold and moss from growing on the side of the barn. The rust would give the oil a dark reddish color. As paint manufacturing evolved and became a better option for farmers many stayed with the traditional looking red color. At least that is my understanding of why barns are red and the prevalent theory on the internet.
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