Things we love about Illinois: Round Barns
One of our favorite things about our favorite institution of higher education.
UI Round Barns during a winter sunrise. (Photo courtesy of UI Archives) One of our favorite things about our favorite institution of higher education.
Round Barns
Constructed in quick succession from 1908-12 and ranging from 60 to 70 feet in diameter, UI’s three Round Barns inspired similarly circular structures on farms throughout the Midwest. While legend has it the shape rendered the structures more tornado-resistant, the primary advantage was greater efficiency and economy in dairy farming. In 1994, the University’s Illinois Experimental Dairy Farm Historic District joined the National Register of Historic Places, its iconic trio of round barns cited as contributing properties to the designation. No need to brush off dust. The barns remain in use to this day.
Did we miss one? For more in this series, search “Things we love about Illinois.”
