Watson Family Round Barn

This barn stands out like a monument to farming on the flat and fertile land surrounding it in Huntington County. From a considerable distance, it is visible and is in relative proximity to the Salamonie River. The accompanying home on the Watson farm was built in 1905. Family records indicate the fourteen-sided barn was built soon thereafter.

The barn has a massive central support post that extends into the cupola. A circular pattern of posts achieves additional support for the immense hayloft, which is built on two levels, making this a three-level barn.

In the loft area the central support post becomes a structure quite like the mast on a ship. A beam, resembling a boom structure, is attached to the central post; it pivots on the central post. This complex assembly with rope and pulley systems would move hay from below into the upper loft areas. Once in the loft, the boom structure could swivel and drop hay where desired.

This most unusual barn is a treasure for the Watson family and Huntington County. It remains in the Watson extended family, but is no longer in use.

I visited this barn several times before settling on a winter scene. The cold quiet seemed to fit the barn; it was January 2011. It took a bit of study to figure out how the hay mechanism worked. It is so unique. Later I completed a studio oil painting size 18 x 30 inches.

All the barn paintings are for sale.  Please contact Gwen to find out if the painting(s) you are interested in are sold or available.