Around Indiana

Of the 226 round barns that are known to have existed in Indiana, more than 100 have vanished from the landscape, thus depriving the state of beautiful landmarks and testimonials to the ingenuity of turn-of-the-century agriculture and architecture. The author's admiration for the round barn's grace and his concern for its survival is evident on every page as he traces its history from George Washington's 1793 sixteen-sided barn to the development of the 'Ideal Circular Barn' and associated patents to the demise of the structures in the second half of the twentieth century. By combing through family letters, agricultural journals of the time, advertisements, and other often-forgotten documents, Hanou offers fascinating glimpses of the individual farmers, builders, and architects who championed the innovative construction techniques. Through imagination and hard work, these men created their own market for round barns; in the year of peak construction, fifteen barns were built.