Secrest Octagon Barn, Octagonal barn in Downey, Iowa.
The Secrest Octagon Barn features red vertical siding and spans 80 feet in diameter with a sectional bell-shaped roof supported by hand-laminated beams.
Master builder George Frank Longerbean constructed this agricultural structure in 1883 for Joshua Hunt Secrest as a combined hay storage and horse stable facility.
The National Register of Historic Places recognized this barn in 1974 as an example of innovative agricultural architecture from the late nineteenth century.
Located near Iowa City, the barn stands 75 feet tall at the cupola and previously accommodated 200 tons of hay while housing 32 horses and 16 cows.
The barn demonstrates advanced engineering methods of the 1880s through its octagonal design, which maximized interior space and simplified access to different storage areas.
Location: Iowa
GPS coordinates: 41.61361,-91.37028
Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:25
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