Delikat Smokehouse

A smokehouse, which was common on many Franklin farms, is the newest addition to the historical area of Legend Park. Between 2011 and 2012 it was dismantled from its original site on S. 51st St. and Drexel Ave. and reassembled in the park behind the chapel.

Originally, it was built by local farmer Herman Delikat in 1891 as the headstone over the door revealed. The stone read “18HD91”. Later ownership of the farm would transfer to the Salchow family and then to Payne & Dolan, owners of the Franklin Quarry.

Donated by Payne & Dolan to the Franklin Historical Society, the smokehouse dismantling began in 2011. The stones from the front wall were removed and numbered, the other walls were torn down and then all was transported to Legend Park. Before winter set in, footings were dug and a foundation poured. In mid-2012 the rebuilding began, erecting the front wall as close as possible to the original one. The headstone was put back in place, a reconstructed front door added and new cedar shingles replaced the worn roof.

The smokehouse now stands near the log cabin and is an example of how people historically preserved food. Meats, poultry, and fish were preserved and products like bacon, ham, sausages and cheese were commonly smoked.