Dennis Otte Round Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dennis Otte Round Barn
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Eleroy, Stephenson County, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Herman Altenbern |
| Architectural style | Round barn |
| MPS | Round Barns in Illinois TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001164 |
| Added to NRHP | February 23, 1984 |
The Dennis Otte Round Barn is a special type of barn. It is located in the U.S. state of Illinois. You can find it near a small community called Eleroy in Stephenson County, Illinois.
This barn is called a "round barn" because of its circular shape. Herman Altenbern built it in 1930. The barn is about 54 feet (16.5 meters) wide. It shows how round barn designs changed over time. The Otte Round Barn was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it is recognized as an important historic building.
Contents
History of the Otte Round Barn
The Dennis Otte Round Barn was built in 1930. Herman Altenbern was the builder. He built it for Carl Richards. The barn is located near Eleroy in Stephenson County, Illinois, United States. Interestingly, Carl Richards' father had also owned a round barn before this one.
What the Otte Round Barn Looks Like
The Dennis Otte Round Barn is quite large. It measures 54 feet (16.5 meters) across. It stands on a strong concrete base. The main door of the barn faces east. This door leads into a central area called a "crib." This crib divides the barn into two halves.
Inside the Barn
Animal stalls are set up in a half-circle shape. They are on both sides of the central crib. These stalls are separated by wooden posts. These posts help support the barn's upper level. This upper level is called a "loft." The loft has a circular plate that is about 27 feet (8.2 meters) in radius.
Roof and Materials
The barn has a single "hip roof." This type of roof slopes down on all sides. The roof is supported by special wooden beams. These beams are 2 by 6 inches (5.1 by 15.2 cm) in size. They are nailed to the roof's rafters in a unique way. This design is similar to another nearby round barn, the Gerald Harbach Round Barn. The roof is covered with wooden shingles. A small, short tower called a "cupola" sits on top of the roof. Many parts of the barn were built using materials that had been used before. This includes the loft plate, the floor, and the loft supports.
Why the Otte Round Barn is Important
The Dennis Otte Round Barn is one of many round barns in this area. There were 31 round barns built in a four-county region. This area includes Winnebago County and Stephenson County, Illinois in Illinois. It also includes Rock and Green Counties in Wisconsin. Twenty-one of these barns are in Stephenson County alone. The Otte Round Barn is one of them.
Unique Features
The design of the Otte Round Barn fits with other round barns built in Stephenson County, Illinois during a certain time. However, it also has special features that make it stand out. It has a single hip roof and a small cupola. It also uses a special way to brace its rafters.
The barn was built in 1930, during the Great Depression. This was a time when money was scarce. So, using salvaged (previously used) materials was common. This shows how people built things during that difficult economic period. These features make the Otte Round Barn a great example of the last designs for round barns in Stephenson County. The Otte Round Barn was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1984. It was part of a larger group of historic barns recognized at that time.
