E. L. Hitch Potato House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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E. L. Hitch Potato House
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | Junction of Roads 480 and 489, near Laurel, Delaware |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | c. 1920 |
| MPS | Sweet Potato Houses of Sussex County MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001695 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1990 |
The E. L. Hitch Potato House is a special old building located near Laurel, Delaware in Sussex County, Delaware. It is one of the very few potato houses still standing today. This building was constructed around 1920. It was designed to store potatoes, keeping them safe and fresh.
What is a Potato House?
A potato house is a type of barn or storage building. Farmers used them to store potatoes after harvesting them. These buildings were very important for keeping potatoes cool and dry. This helped the potatoes last longer, especially through the winter.
How Was the E. L. Hitch Potato House Built?
The E. L. Hitch Potato House is a one-and-a-half story building. It has a pointed roof at the front. It was built using a method called "balloon frame" construction. This means its wooden frame uses long, continuous studs from the bottom to the top.
The building has several special features. These features helped it store potatoes well. It has very few windows. Its walls are covered with three layers of siding. This extra siding helped insulate the building. It also has special doors, both inside and outside. The windows have tight shutters. There is an inside chimney. All these parts helped keep the potatoes at the right temperature. Inside, the building had special bins for storing the potatoes.
A Historic Landmark
The E. L. Hitch Potato House is considered very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The National Register lists places that are important in American history. Being on this list helps protect the building. It reminds us of how farming was done in the past.
