Dougan Round Barn facts for kids
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Dougan Round Barn
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Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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Before 2012 demolition
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Location | 444 West Colley Rd., Beloit, Wisconsin |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1911 |
| MPS | Centric Barns in Rock County TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000108 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 4, 1979 |
| Removed from NRHP | January 30, 2014 |
The Dougan Round Barn was a special building located in Beloit, Wisconsin. It was built in 1911 and was a unique type of round barn. This barn was important enough to be added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Sadly, it was taken down in 2012.
The Dougan Round Barn
The Dougan Round Barn was a very busy place for many years. It served as a dairy barn, where cows were kept and milk was produced. The barn was used for this purpose until 1968. At its busiest time, the farm had as many as 120 cows!
A Special Kind of Barn
Round barns like the Dougan Round Barn were popular in the early 1900s. People thought they were more efficient than traditional rectangular barns. For example, it was easier to feed animals from a central area. They also believed round barns were stronger against strong winds.
The Dougan Family and Their Farm
The farm was owned by Wesson J. Dougan. He was a Methodist pastor who later became deaf. Because of his hearing loss, he decided to leave his ministry. In 1906, Wesson Dougan bought the farm. He then started the Dougan Dairy business. The famous round barn was finished in 1911.
Wesson Dougan was a true pioneer in farming. He used scientific methods to manage his farm and dairy. He was very good at raising animals and running his business. In 1926, the University of Wisconsin honored him. They gave him an award for his amazing work. He showed how to combine skillful farming with a good rural life. His efforts greatly helped the dairy industry.
When Wesson Dougan retired, his son, Ronald A. Dougan, took over. Ronald managed the family's three farms. He also ran the dairy and the milk delivery business. On top of that, he had a business selling special hybrid seed corn. Ronald Dougan retired in 1976. He sold the milk delivery part of the business to a larger company.
The interesting story of the Dougan farm is told in a series of books. These books were written by Jacqueline Dougan Jackson. She is a writer and university professor. She is also the granddaughter of Wesson J. Dougan, the founder of the farm.
