Schultz, Raymond, Round Barn
Why it's listed
Located south of Pontiac in Livingston County, this round barn was built in 1918 for Matt Diemer by a local carpenter, E. J. McCoy. It is 60 feet across and sits on a poured concrete foundation, with vertical wooden siding and asphalt shingles. Unlike most round barns in Illinois, which were plain and utilitarian, this one has a semi-circular roof, four dormers set at right angles to one another, and an ornate cupola about 40 feet above ground. A central concrete silo supplies feed from the second-floor loft to a ground-level manger for cows and horses, and doors open on the east and west sides. Diemer commissioned the barn after visiting the demonstration barns at the University of Illinois, which gives it a direct link to that influence. It was also among the last round barns built in the state, so it shows how late the type persisted. The barn remains in excellent condition, with its original materials intact apart from the roof shingles.
Significance in brief: The barn is significant for its architectural distinction compared with Illinois' average utilitarian round barns, with its semi-circular roof, four dormers and ornate cupola. It is directly linked to the University of Illinois demonstration barns that its builder-commissioner traveled to see. It is also one of the last round barns built in the state, showing the late stage of the type.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82002582, listed August 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | S of Pontiac off US 66, Pontiac |
|---|---|
| County | Livingston County |
| Listed | August 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002582 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | E. J. McCoy, senior (Pontiac, IL); built for Matt Diemer |
| Architectural style | Round Barn |
| Areas of significance | Agriculture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, retaining all original materials except the roof shingles, with no adaptive alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.84102, -88.64173 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82002582.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7299140
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.