Just outside of Charleston is a grain silo that no longer houses grain. Instead, it has been turned into a home, albeit a temporary one. The CaBIN, an Airbnb constructed by the father/son duo of Michael and Drake Sweeney, sits nestled within the trees of their property. The Sweeneys are seventh-generation farmers and Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative members.
The idea for the Airbnb sparked from an online post. “I saw it on Facebook one time and just thought it’d be fun to try,” Drake says, adding that he and his father had talked about building a cabin on that land, anyway.
The pair moved the grain bin from a different location and reconstructed it in 2023, adding all the touches of home. Being full-time farmers, the Sweeneys were only able to work on it during nights and weekends, thus it took two years to complete. Their first guests stayed Aug. 1, 2025, and almost every weekend since then it has been booked.
The pair continues to modify the silo — next on the list is a porch. The CaBIN can host eight guests and has one bedroom and two bathrooms, with pullout couches available. A fully functioning kitchen, outdoor firepit and heating/air conditioning make the building feel like home. The second-floor loft area is open except for the bathroom, and motion lights shine under the steps to light the way.
The project wasn’t easy to construct. The round shape of the building posed several challenges. “It’s not measure twice, cut once. It’s measure four, maybe five times, cut two or three times,” Drake jokes.
Both men are impressed with how the project turned out. “The ceiling, that’s probably one of my biggest [sources of] pride — when we did it, we didn’t waste any lumber,” Michael explains. The design of the ceiling incorporates beams and a fan constructed from a grain spreader. “We’ve tried to keep the nostalgia,” he says.
The Sweeneys agree that their main goal is to provide a comfortable place for guests to stay. “We want something for people to make them feel at home, with the goal being getting out in nature,” Michael says.
The community has been supportive, with several people coming to view the property during their open house event. Local artist Suzanna Fairley of Country Classic Oils painted a scene of the CaBIN on a turkey feather and framed it in barn wood. It now hangs on a wall in the silo’s living room.
Moving forward, the Sweeneys plan to dig a pond on the property to enhance the relaxing view among the trees. If the house proves popular enough, they say they will look at adding another property in the future.
SHOW SUPPORT
The CaBIN
To book a stay, go to airbnb.com/h/theca-bin.
