Frank Senour Round Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Frank Senour Round Barn
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Location | 6400 East Oregon Church Road, Blackhawk, Indiana![]() |
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Built | 1905 |
MPS | Round and Polygonal Barns of Indiana |
NRHP reference No. | 93000193 |
Added to NRHP | April 2, 1993 |
The Frank Senour Round Barn, also known as the Crandell Barn, is a special round barn located near Blackhawk, Indiana in Vigo County, Indiana. It's about 13 miles south of Terre Haute, Indiana. This barn is important because of its unique design and its history in farming.
In 1993, the barn was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a significant historical place in the United States. It was part of a group of "Round and Polygonal Barns of Indiana" listed together.
History of the Round Barn
This interesting barn was built in 1905 by a man named Frank Senour. He had seen other round barns in Illinois and was very impressed with how well they worked. He wanted a barn that was efficient for his farm.
In 1922, a strong tornado hit the barn. It damaged the original top part of the roof, called a cupola. The roof was fixed, but the cupola was never rebuilt.
Since 1972, the Crandell family has owned and taken care of the barn. They have kept this historic building in good condition.
Why Are Round Barns Special?
The Frank Senour Round Barn is a true circular barn. This means it has no straight edges or corners in its main shape. It has red walls that go up and down, and its roof is shaped like a cone. There are also four small windows, called dormers, on the roof.
This barn was built at a time when round barns were very popular. Farmers believed they were more efficient than square barns. A round shape can hold more inside compared to its outside walls. This meant less material was needed to build it.
Also, working inside a round barn could save time and effort. Farmers could move in a continuous circle, making chores like feeding animals or storing hay easier. This design helped farmers work more smoothly and quickly.