320.257.0911
911 Scout Drive
Sartell MN 56377
Fasen Round Barn
Fasen Round Barn, Sartell MN July, 2009
From
We are simply amazed at the number of folks who
drive to the end of Scout Drive to take pictures of the round barn
located here.
The Fasen
round barn of
Sartell was built in 1928. This is just
after the height of round barn construction which peaked between
1880-1920. Prior to and overlapping with
the round barn construction era was the octagonal barn era which
spanned from
1889-1936.
Example of Octagonal Barn
Many have
contemplated the
reason for constructing a round barn over a rectangular barn. First there was the cost factor.
It was known that the circular shape provided
a greater volume-to-surface ratio than a square barn.
This resulted in cheaper construction prices
for a similarly sized round barn because fewer materials would be
required.
The rectangular shape
requires twenty-two
percent more wall and foundation to enclose the same space. In addition, construction was simplified with
a round barn since elaborate truss systems for arched roof designs
would not be
needed.
The second
big factor was
stability. Investigations
have
shown that the circular
structure is a much stronger one that the rectangular form.
The central silo made of wood, brick, or concrete served to provide additional support to the roof. All but the earliest of round barns were constructed with a self-supporting roof system.
Condition of Sartell Round Barn Roof
Lastly, the
round barn is an efficient use of
space. An overhead view of cows shows
them to be wedge-shaped. These wedges
could then be arranged most efficiently in a circle with the heads
closest to
the center and the wider “wedge” part at the outer edge.
One
of the appealing factors of a round barn
is the centrally located silo which minimizes feeding labor. The above photo is an example. The second
story can be used to store
hay
and g rain and easily fed to the animals by arranging the grain and hay
chutes
so that they terminate near the silo in the central feeding alley of
the lower
level.
Circular
barns ranging from
sixty to ninety feet in diameter are very practical and they will
accommodate
as many as one hundred dairy cows with space to spare.
Given the shape of the round barn, expansion
to accommodate a larger herd is problematic; however cows can be housed
in the
second level.
Ev Rassmussen, Meyer Commercial and
Dr. Gerds walk the Scout Drive Location of Advanced Care August of
2009. Fasen Round Barn Site in the background, Sartell Minnesota.
Fasen Round Barn Site in Sartell Late August 2009
To learn
about more round
barns check out the following comprehensive list of Round Barns in
Prairie Landscaping planned for
911 Scout Drive, Sartell MN
Advanced Care Pet Hospital
Serving pets and their people from:
Sartell MN
St Cloud MN
Waite Park
Sauk Rapids
St. Cloud Veterinary
St. Joseph
Stearns County
Benton County
Minnesota
Cats
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