Hjelm Farmstead, Potato Cellar, U.S. Highway 20 at New Sweden, Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, ID

Significance: The potato cellar was constructed by Kenneth Wood around 1945. The structure measures 92'5" x 31'7" with an 18'5" x 13'9" entrance on the west end. The main potato cellar has 7'4"-high concrete walls placed largely below ground level. (Two concrete buttresses have been added for additional support along the north and south walls.) The roof structure is composed of 3"x12" rafters with 2"x12" rafter ties. The roof is sheathed with diagonal 1"x6" boards. A layer of straw bales is placed on the sheathing; the bales are in turn covered with dirt. Corrugated metal clads the exterior of the wood frame gable ends. The wood frame entrance has a wood shingled gable roof with exposed rafter tails. It is sheathed with drop siding. A pair of outward-swinging doors takes up most of the west end. The north door is original and is constructed of horizontal boards; the south door has been replaced with plywood. The dirt floor of the entrance slopes downward to meet the dirt floor of the main storage area. A pair of inward-swinging plywood doors provide entry to the cellar.
Survey number: HABS ID-111-B
Building/structure dates: 1905 Initial Construction