There are several oblong barns around here, but this is the only round one in the area. There are a couple of them in Champaign at the UIUC, where I lived for many years.
I’m glad you asked, because it gave me the chance to find out! Good old Wiki says the following:
“The rise in popularity and the promotion of round barns occurred surrounding the new focus on efficiency. The circular shape has a greater volume-to-surface ratio than a square barn. Regardless of size, this made round barns cheaper to construct than similar-sized square or rectangular barns because they required less materials. The structural stability is also enhanced over that of a typical quadrilaterally shaped barn. Simplified construction lacking elaborate truss systems for the arched roof was also seen as an advantage. In the Midwest, particularly, the buildings were thought more resilient against prairie thunderstorms.[5] The interior layout of round barns was promoted as more efficient, since farmers could work in a continuous direction.[1] In the days before mechanization, labor-saving features were a big selling point.”
Wow, that is so interesting. It’s a wonder that there aren’t more. There is a Shaker settlement about an hour from here and they have a round barn, but most New Englanders built rectangular barns. Sadly, with the decline of farming, many are falling down. Thanks for the info and great photo!
I love the winter colors. This is an unusual shape, do you know why they built it round and what purpose it served?
Hi Eliza, thank you 🙂
There are several oblong barns around here, but this is the only round one in the area. There are a couple of them in Champaign at the UIUC, where I lived for many years.
I’m glad you asked, because it gave me the chance to find out! Good old Wiki says the following:
“The rise in popularity and the promotion of round barns occurred surrounding the new focus on efficiency. The circular shape has a greater volume-to-surface ratio than a square barn. Regardless of size, this made round barns cheaper to construct than similar-sized square or rectangular barns because they required less materials. The structural stability is also enhanced over that of a typical quadrilaterally shaped barn. Simplified construction lacking elaborate truss systems for the arched roof was also seen as an advantage. In the Midwest, particularly, the buildings were thought more resilient against prairie thunderstorms.[5] The interior layout of round barns was promoted as more efficient, since farmers could work in a continuous direction.[1] In the days before mechanization, labor-saving features were a big selling point.”
I appreciate your comment – thanks. Stay warm!
Wow, that is so interesting. It’s a wonder that there aren’t more. There is a Shaker settlement about an hour from here and they have a round barn, but most New Englanders built rectangular barns. Sadly, with the decline of farming, many are falling down. Thanks for the info and great photo!
Just a wonderful winters image Sharon xxxx
I love the almost monotone and the snowy fields and what a great building 🙂 🙂 🙂
I bet it very deep in snow , with the weather your having this weekend 🙂 🙂
Hello Nigel, thanks so much 🙂 🙂 !!
The warm colors really pop against the grey skies, which is why I didn’t process to mono.
Yes, today I thought about how wonderful it must look with all the blowing snow. Maybe by the weekend the roads will be passable, if not thawed.
Minus 10 windchill and still going down.
Thanks for your wonderful comment.
🙂