Robert Buckles Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Robert Buckles Barn
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Distant view from the east
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Mount Pulaski, Illinois |
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| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| MPS | Round Barns in Illinois TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000326 |
| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1983 |
The Robert Buckles Barn is a special round barn found about 1 mile (1.6 km) southeast of Mount Pulaski, Illinois, in the United States. It was built in 1917 on the Buckles family farm. This barn is one of the few round barns still standing in central Illinois.
What makes it even more unique is that it's one of only two known round barns in Illinois built with a special material called vitrified tile. These tiles are curved to fit the barn's round shape perfectly. The barn's design was inspired by the University of Illinois's Agricultural Experiment Station, which encouraged farmers to build round barns.
The Robert Buckles Barn
The Robert Buckles Barn is a historic building. It stands out because of its unusual round shape. Most barns are rectangular, but round barns were popular for a short time.
This barn was built over 100 years ago. It has been an important part of the Buckles family farm for a long time.
Why a Round Barn?
Round barns became popular in the early 1900s. People thought they were more efficient than traditional rectangular barns. Farmers believed it was easier to work inside a round barn.
For example, a farmer could feed animals from a central area. This saved time and effort. Round barns also used less material to build for the same amount of space.
Special Building Materials
The Robert Buckles Barn is made from a unique material. It uses something called vitrified tile. Vitrified means the tile has been heated to a very high temperature. This makes it super strong and resistant to water.
These special tiles were curved to fit the barn's circular walls. The barn has a radius of 30 feet (9.1 meters). This means the tiles had to be made in a specific way to create the perfect round shape.
A Historic Landmark
The Robert Buckles Barn is important enough to be recognized nationally. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 10, 1983. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.
Being on this list helps protect the barn. It means the barn is a valuable part of history. It also helps people learn about unique farming practices from the past.
