Clarence Forehand Round Barn, Vandalia Illinois

Date added: May 13, 2023
 (1982)

On December 15th, 1992 a strong wind storm caused significant damage to this barn and it was demolished in January 1993.

This 60' diameter barn rests on a poured concrete foundation and is enclosed by verticle wooden siding now covered with metal. It has a single-hip roof with asphalt shingles. A central silo is accessible by a ramp through a west side door to the loft from which horses and cows are fed on ground level from a circularly arranged manger standing on a concrete floor. The other main entrance is on the north side. A cupola originally surmounted the roof whose tip is now an estimated 60 feet above grade.

It was built for C. E. Cox, a livestock farmer, who was persuaded after seeing the model round barns at the University of Illinois farm about two and one-half miles south of Urbana. Cox lost the farm in the depression of the 1930's. Theodore Wollerman owned the farm until 1965, when it was purchased by Clarence Forehand, who is the source of historical information about this barn. Although the carpenter is unknown, the foundation bears the name of the foundation contractor: "Meier Bros. Concrete -- Nov. 1911".

Clarence Forehand Round Barn, Vandalia Illinois  (1982)
(1982)

Clarence Forehand Round Barn, Vandalia Illinois  (1982)
(1982)

Clarence Forehand Round Barn, Vandalia Illinois  (1982)
(1982)