User:Bishoppeak

The Octagon Barn is a historically and culturally important structure (built in 1900) in San Luis Obispo, California (on Higuera Street, just south of the Higuera-Los Osos Valley Road intersection, at the southern end of the City of San Luis Obispo). It is visible from U.S. 101 to the right as one travels into the City of San Luis Obispo from the south. The Octagon Barn is accompanied by a smaller building, called “The Milking Parlor” on a parcel with a long term lease held by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County (“The Land Conservancy”). This barn is made with redwood timbers and has a compacted fill floor (77 feet across) and a concrete foundation. Originally feeding troughs were arranged inside, side by side, around the outer wall (with an apparent capacity of up to 100 cows). Hay and supplies were kept inside this ring. The walls are constructed with random width boards which have been painted white. There is a cupola on top; it serves to add light and improve ventilation.

The Barn is important for three reasons:

•	History. The Barn represents an important “post-mission” era in the County of San Luis Obispo. The land at the turn of the last century was thinly populated, with small farms. The Barn is an outstanding reminder of that past.

•	Culture. Agriculture is central to the San Luis Obispo County economy today. 100 years ago, dairy farming was an important element in that economy, particularly in the Edna, Chorro Creek, and Los Osos Valley areas. The Barn was optimized to support that aspect of agriculture.

•	Architecture. The octagon shape of the barn enhanced its function in dairy agriculture. The polygonal shape approached that of a circle, which reduced the amount of material to build, but added to the complexity of the building project. Also, the Barn is recognized as part of the “gateway” into San Luis Obispo. In an era when cities announce themselves with car lots and shopping malls, San Luis Obispo can be proud to announce itself to new (and returning) visitors with a major symbol of our community.

More about the barn can be found at the Octgon Barn Center website.