Lakeview, Lake County, OR
National Register Nomination
Bureau of Land Management
2003
Although the exterior of this 1942 octagonal barn is not architecturally noteworthy, the structure itself is significant. It not only is one of the few remaining round barns in Oregon, it is a rare, specifically designed and constructed human pavilion to seat over 300 people. The excellent condition of the unfinished pine tiered seating is attributed to the high desert climate.
Rather than an architectural novelty, the centric barns were legitimized as economic expedients and more of them were built in the Midwest than any other region of the country. It is therefore interesting to note that the barn's designer, H.R. Sinnard, was raised in Iowa and graduated from the Iowa State Agricultural College (now Iowa State University). As a faculty member of the Oregon State Agricultural College (now Oregon State University), he donated his service to design the Round Sale Barn.
Its purpose as an auction/sale barn continues today, especially for the annual Lake County Fair and Round-Up held over Labor Day.