Tonsfeldt Round Barn - LeMars, IA - U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Waymarking.com

When H. A. (Peter) Tonsfeldt designed his dream barn in 1918 he wanted a unique structure to show off his Polled Heresfold bull and purebred cattle. It took two years to complete the 68’ round wooden barn with dome roof. The 51 foot silo in the center is anchored 6’ below and creates a self-supporting building.

During the Depression years, the Tonsfeldt family sold their west LeMars farm to Herman Lang, and following Lang’s death in 1980 the farm was offered at auction. When the Langel brothers purchased the property, they donated the historic round barn to the Plymouth County Fairgrounds the following year, and the barn was moved to its present location.

The barn has undergone very little restoration during its long history, but recently the doors were rebuilt as part of a Boy Scout Eagle project. The Tonsfeldt Round Barn was listed on the National Registry of Historical Places in 1986.

Historic Significance: Event
Area of Significance: Agriculture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Agriculture/Subsistence
Historic Sub-function: Agricultural Outbuildings
Current Function: Agriculture/Subsistence
Current Sub-function: Agricultural Outbuildings

Street address: 500 4th Avenue, NE LeMars, IA USA 51031 County / Borough / Parish: Plymouth County, LeMars, IA Year listed: 1986 Historic (Areas of) Significance: Agricultural significance Periods of significance: 1900-1924 Historic function: Cattle barn Current function: Used seasonally for community events Privately owned?: no Primary Web Site: [Web Link] Season start / Season finish: Not listed Hours of operation: Not listed Secondary Website 1: Not listed Secondary Website 2: Not listed National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   01/15/2023 wanderfish visited it