Meet Marshfield Made New: World’s Largest Round Barn

Every August, visitors to the Central Wisconsin State Fair have the chance to check out an impressive feat of agricultural engineering on display. The World’s Largest Round Barn was completed in 1916 and is still in use more than a century later. Let’s take a look at this unique structure in the most recent installment of our Meet Marshfield Made New video series.

The Round Barn, which is located at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds on East 17th Street, dates to the early 20th century, when the Central Wisconsin Holstein Breeders Association sought to build a barn and arena they could use for shows and animal sales.

Construction on the barn was started in late 1915 and completed in the spring of 1916; a second story was added in 1917. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The barn is approximately 150 feet in diameter and 70 feet tall at its highest point and today is used for its original purpose—animal shows and sales—and is an integral part of the annual Central Wisconsin State Fair, which is held every August. The barn is also used for craft shows and other community events.

Find more unique attractions and fun activities in Marshfield, Wood County, and Marathon County in central Wisconsin.