Ryan Round Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ryan Round Barn
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | Henry County, Illinois, USA |
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| Nearest city | Kewanee |
| Built | 1910 |
| Architectural style | Round barns |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000762 |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1974 |
The Ryan Round Barn is a special old barn. It's shaped like a circle! You can find it about six miles north of Kewanee, Illinois. This unique building is located inside Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park. It's a cool place to visit and learn about history.
Contents
Building a Round Barn
The Ryan Round Barn was finished in 1910. It was built for a man named Laurence Ryan. A German immigrant named Feurst helped build it. Mr. Ryan was a famous brain surgeon from Chicago. But he grew up in Kewanee.
Why a Round Barn?
Laurence Ryan bought a lot of land in 1908. He wanted a quiet place away from his busy doctor's life. He also loved raising Black Angus cattle. These are a type of cow. The barn was built to keep his cattle safe and sound. It was a place where they could be fed and cared for all under one roof.
From Private Farm to Public Park
After Mr. Ryan passed away in 1939, the barn was sold. It was bought by E. A. Johnson. Later, in 1967, the state of Illinois bought the barn. Now, it's part of a state park.
A Historic Landmark
The Ryan Round Barn is very important. On December 31, 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings that are important to history. The Ryan Round Barn was the first round barn in Illinois to get this special honor!
Saving the Barn
In 1984, a group called the Friends of Johnson Park Foundation was started. Their main goal was to help save the Round Barn. Thanks to their efforts, the barn is still standing today.
What You Can See Today
Today, the barn is open for visitors during certain times of the year. Inside, you can see old farm tools and machines. It's like a museum of farming history!
Unique Design Features
The Ryan Round Barn is huge! It stands 61 feet tall. It is also 74 feet wide. This makes it the biggest round barn in all of Illinois.
Inside the Barn
The inside of the barn has three and a half levels. In the very middle, there's a tall silo. A silo is a tower used to store grain or animal feed.
The Roof and Walls
The roof of the barn has four special windows. These are called gambrel dormers. They are spread out evenly around the roof. At the very top, there's a small tower called a cupola. The outside walls of the barn are made of boards. These boards are placed horizontally. This makes them form continuous circles all around the barn.
See also
- Round barns in Illinois
- List of round barns#Illinois
