Kuykendall Polygonal Barn

The Kuykendall Polygonal Barn is a fifteen-sided structure located near Romney, positioned in the South Branch Potomac River valley. The building features multiple large doors arranged around its perimeter to allow easy access for livestock management and farm storage.

John Clowser oversaw the construction of this barn in 1906 on a farm whose land was originally granted by Thomas Fairfax to the Van Meter family in 1749. The building represents the adoption of advanced agricultural methods during the early twentieth century.

The barn represents a local landmark that demonstrates how farmers adapted building design to improve their work and storage practices. Its distinctive shape reflects the practical thinking that shaped rural communities in this valley.

The barn sits along South Branch River Road in Romney, making it accessible from this main rural road through the area. The setting provides views of the surrounding river landscape and farmland.

This building stands as the only documented fifteen-sided barn ever built in West Virginia, making it exceptionally rare among American agricultural structures. Its unusual polygon shape was an experimental approach to maximize space and work efficiency for farmers.

Location: West Virginia

GPS coordinates: 39.23530,-78.84330

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:45