The unusual sight of an old barn rolling down a street caught the attention Wednesday of people living around the Coupeville Library.

The long-standing barn, built on NE Eighth Avenue across the street from the Lovejoy Inn, was moved about a block away to the community green next to the library.

Local builder Dan Miranda offered to move the historic structure at his own expense. At the  community green it will serve a more public use. The long vacant barn was located on the same property as the Holbrook House. At one time, the barn was used to house a boat building operation.

It took workers several days to cut the building from its support beams and to raise it on jacks. Then it required a half hour to move the barn to its new home at the edge of the gravel parking lot, Miranda said Wednesday afternoon.

Workers poured a new foundation Thursday. Miranda said he hopes to place the barn on the foundation early next week.

The barn sitting on the edge of the community green provides some new scenery for passersby.

“It just appeared out of nowhere,” said Jackie Feusier, a Coupeville resident who was walking by the barn Wednesday afternoon. She was happy to see a historic building saved and get a new lease on life rather than seeing it demolished.

Miranda said the building does need some additional work such as a new roof. Also, some of the wood has rotted and should be replaced. He hopes donors will come forward to help restore the building.

Miranda moved the barn to make room for a new home on the original property. Rather than obtaining a demolition permit, he offered to move the barn.

He estimates the cost could approach $20,000.

The new home is expected to be built within the next six months.