OREGON HISTORY

     About 1880 Pete French built this unusual round barn.  French was the boss of P Ranch a vast spread in the Donner and Blitzen Valley.  He and his riders used the barn for breaking and exercising horses in winter nearly 300 head of horse and mule colts were foaled each year some were sold, but most were kept to work the ranch.  Placed on high ground for better drainage.  The barn incloses a stone corral 60 feet in diameter and a track between the corral and the outside wall the conical roof is supported by a juniper center post braces and poles and is covered with cedar shingles.

                                         Inside view of Round Barn

Book to read about this barn and it's history

Life and Death of Oregon "Cattle King" Peter French 1849-1897

By; Edward Gray