Why a round barn

Why were round barns built?  Mostly, it seems, they were built for dairy farms and were built almost exclusively during the 1890s to 1930s.  The University of Illinois Experimental Agricultural Station literally wrote the book on round barns in 1910, and they say the advantages of the round barn over the traditional rectangular barn were convenience, strength and material thrift.

Convenience.  In dairy farming the barn is used twice a day every day of the year for milking.  When you consider a lifetime of walking up and down rows with varying distances from the feed storage or other chores related to the cattle, the round form saves an enormous amount.  Also, consider the hay mow and how much labor that saved by not having building structure to move the hay around.

Strength. Round structures are generally stronger than square.  Think barrels and eggs.  It is also most wind pressure resistant - there isn't any spot the wind can get a hold on a round structure.

Thrift.  According to the U. of Illinois study the round barn used 34 to 58 percent less material.  Check out this chart:

Next up:  Our barns structure.