The drive along Highway 50 toward Elmdale feels like slipping into a slower era. Cell service thins out, traffic fades, and the land opens into wide skies and gently rolling fields that seem endless. It’s a place that encourages you to ease off the accelerator and take in the view. Tucked into this quiet stretch of Chase County is a surprising example of rural reinvention—one that turns an overlooked farm structure into a destination stay and proves that inspired design doesn’t need an urban backdrop.
Surrounded by soybean fields and overlooking a tranquil creek valley, the Owl’s Nest Silo House sits beside a handcrafted log cabin completed in 2019. The cabin was never meant to be more than a simple weekend retreat, but its balance of rustic character and modern comfort quickly struck a chord with visitors. Guests were drawn to its calm setting and thoughtful details, finding in it the kind of peace that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. Its popularity hinted at a broader shift toward travel experiences that feel grounded, personal, and closely tied to nature.
The property’s owner, Gerald Wiens, initially expected only occasional bookings. Instead, interest surged—especially during the pandemic, when travelers began prioritizing space, solitude, and fresh air. With the cabin booked for much of the year, Gerald began to rethink the property’s future. Rather than building something conventional, his attention turned to an aging silo nearby, a structure most would overlook but one he saw as full of possibility.
Converting a silo into a home required creativity and careful planning. Its circular footprint and vertical scale posed unique challenges, but the finished result is both striking and welcoming. Rising roughly four stories and about 45 feet tall, the transformed silo now contains a cozy two-bedroom retreat with curved walls that give the interior a sculptural, intimate feel. What once served a purely practical purpose has become a standout example of thoughtful reuse—an imaginative escape that celebrates rural life, sustainability, and the beauty of seeing potential where others see limits.
