Sparre Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sparre Barn
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The Sparre Barn from the south-southwest
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Nowthen, Minnesota, US |
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| Nearest city | Elk River, Minnesota |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1917–24 |
| Architect | Marsh, Ernest B. |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001935 |
| Added to NRHP | January 10, 1980 |
The Sparre Barn is a special round barn located in Nowthen, Minnesota, United States. It sits on the west side of Bass Lake. This barn is unique because of its round shape, which was a popular design for farms many years ago.
The lower part of the barn, called the basement, is made from red tiles. The upper part is covered with a type of wood siding called shiplap. This wood has special grooves that make the boards fit together tightly. Inside, the barn has a circular area with "stanchions." These are special frames that hold cattle in place while they eat. The upper level was used to store food for the animals and farm tools.
History of the Sparre Barn
The Sparre Barn was built over several years, from 1917 to 1924. A well-known architect named Ernest Marsh designed it. He was famous in the local area for creating many beautiful buildings.
Why Build a Round Barn?
Round barns became popular in the late 1800s. Farmers thought these barns were a smart way to use space and make farming more efficient. This idea was part of a movement called "scientific agriculture." It meant using new ideas and methods to improve farming. Round barns were believed to be stronger and easier to work in than traditional rectangular barns.
From Dairy Farm to Historic Site
From 1924 through the 1940s, the Sparre Barn was used as a dairy barn. This means it was where cows were kept and milked. Over time, the area around Anoka County started to change. More houses and towns were built, and many dairy farms closed down. Because of this, most of the old dairy barns in the county were torn down.
However, the Sparre Barn was very well-preserved. In 1979, it was recognized as the best-kept dairy barn in Anoka County. This is why it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which helps protect important historical buildings.
