Corson Emminger Round Barn, Watertown South Dakota
Corson Emminger came to South Dakota from Wisconsin in the early 1900s. He may have gotten the idea of building the round barn from the many located in his native state. There are few of these structures in South Dakota, especially those constructed from concrete blocks. The barn was apparently originally used in the process of dairy production.
In 1905 Emminger bought the farmsted for $6,000 and began construction of the barn four years later and finished it in 1910 at a cost of $1,500. He lived on there for four years when he moved into Watertown and then to California in 1920. The barn was his pride and joy and became a landmark for that part of the state.
Jacob Krull owned the farm from 1914-1943, except for one year. He bought the place for $13,600. Other owners have included Martin Krull, Martha Sprang, Jacob E. Krull, Henry Zirbes, Marvin and Edward Aljoe, John Zirbes, and L.H. Moeller.
Barn Description
The Corson Emminger Round Barn, built from 1909-1910, is an extremely tall circular barn about fifty feet in diameter. Concrete blocks appear as the buildings facing materials; the surface is rough-faced. This material for many years was unpainted but today is a two-tone of white and green.
A double-pitched roof with asphalt shingles covers the structure. It is topped by a polygonal, louvered cupola which has a conical termination. Ramps used to lead to and from two large vehicle entries which appear on the second level.
There are two other entries on the first story: which are much smaller. Also on the southwest portion a very narrow entry is present, probably used by animals. The windows vary in size but none are very large; some are double-hung.
Looking Southeast (1975)
Looking Northeast (1975)
Looking North (1975)
Looking Southwest (1975)
