Facebook cwsf1903 Instagram
August 19 - 24, 2025
271 days Until the Fair!
Tickets
Home > Facilities > World's Largest Round Barn

World's Largest Round Barn

1264 - module_663 PageTitleModule moduleLarge

Outside Tour - World's Largest Round Barn

This virtual tour was taken by

1264 - module_2776 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

Inside Tour - World's Largest Round Barn

This virtual tour was taken by

1264 - module_2777 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

the World's Largest Round Barn

The idea for the Round Barn was conceived by the Central Wisconsin Holstein Breeders Association in the early 1900s. It was built as a show barn and arena, and it is still used for that purpose today. The Central Wisconsin State Fair Association, Wood County Board, and private donations paid for the construction.

W. W. Clark designed the barn and the bid was awarded to the Felhofer brothers. Their bid of $6,000 was approximately $2,000 less than the nearest competitor, because they used a staging method of construction. Instead of using scaffolding, they started at the bottom of the building and worked their way up.

Construction started Thanksgiving Day, 1915 and was completed in the spring of 1916. Excavation work was done by using a horse drawn slusher. The cement mixing consisted of mixing cement, sand and water on a plank with a shovel until the desired consistency was attained. The framework was done during the winter months and the floors and stanchions were done in the spring. In 1917, a second floor was completed.

The diameter of the barn is approximately 150 feet and is 70 feet high at the top of the cupola. The wood used is a combination of white oak, red oak, hemlock and pine. Wooden bleachers originally encircled the show ring, with seating for about 1,000 people. 88,000 shingles were used for roofing.

For more information about the World’s Largest Round Barn, download a copy of our brochure located on this page.

Tours of the Round Barn are available for a donation of $1.00 per person. Please call the office at 715-387-1261 to make arrangements.

1264 - module_664 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

Rental

Rental of this beautiful barn is available during the Spring, Summer, & Fall Seasons. The Barn is not heated inside, and is closed for rentals during the Winter Season. Tours are still available, weather permitting.

To find out more about the Round Barn, or to book your next event, please call the Fair Office at 715-387-1261.
1264 - module_2033 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_667 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_666 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_665 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_3524 PDFModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_2106 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_2109 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_2779 LinkModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_2111 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
Come tour the World's Largest Round Barn and see this magnificent building for yourself!
1264 - module_2113 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_2035 LinkModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_2108 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_2107 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
1264 - module_2780 LinkModule moduleLarge


1264 - module_2640 TextMediaModule moduleLarge
Back to
Top
Tickets