Clarence Kleinkopf Round Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Clarence Kleinkopf Round Barn
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | McDonough County, Illinois, USA |
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| Nearest city | Colchester |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1915 |
| Architect | Dick Carmack |
| Architectural style | Round barns |
| MPS | Round Barns in Illinois TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002586 |
| Added to NRHP | August 26, 1982 |
The Clarence Kleinkopf Round Barn is a special type of building called a round barn. You can find it in McDonough County, Illinois, in the USA. A skilled carpenter named Dick Carmack built this barn in 1915 for a farmer named George Welch.
This unique barn is made of wood and is quite large, measuring about 56 feet (17 meters) across. It has a special roof called a hip roof, which is covered with shingles. The barn has three main entrances, located on its west, south, and northwest sides. Inside, there's a large area for storing hay, called a haymow, that goes around most of the barn near the roof. At the very top of the roof, there's a ventilator to help air move through the building.
Contents
What is a Round Barn?
A round barn is exactly what it sounds like: a barn built in a circular shape! Farmers and builders started making these barns more often in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They believed round barns were stronger and more efficient than traditional rectangular barns.
Why Build a Round Barn?
People thought round barns had several advantages:
- Stronger against wind: Their circular shape made them more resistant to strong winds, like those in storms.
- Less building material: They often used less wood or other materials to enclose the same amount of space compared to a square barn.
- Easier work flow: Farmers could sometimes work more easily inside, especially with livestock, because there were no sharp corners.
- Central storage: Many round barns had a central silo or storage area, making it simple to feed animals arranged around the circle.
A Historic Illinois Barn
The Clarence Kleinkopf Round Barn is important because it's a great example of these unique buildings. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it's recognized as a significant historical place in the United States.
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is a list kept by the U.S. government. It includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is added to this list, it helps protect it and makes people aware of its historical value. The Clarence Kleinkopf Round Barn was one of the first round barns in Illinois to be recognized this way.
Other Barns by Dick Carmack
Dick Carmack, the carpenter who built this barn, also constructed two other round barns nearby. Sadly, those other barns are no longer standing today. This makes the Clarence Kleinkopf Round Barn even more special, as it's one of the few remaining examples of his work.
