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In the Midwest, where limestone was easily accessible, another barn style was often chosen. Limestone blocks were used extensively for walls, with the roofs, rafters and interior framing of hardwood (often walnut cut on the farm). Wooden wood (often walnut cut on the farm). Wooden pegs often were used in place of nails to secure the frame and rafters.

Many limestone barns were patterned after the Pennsylvania Dutch barns of the East, placed in the side of a hill in three levels. The lower level snuggled into the hillside and was used for livestock. The second level was for implement and grain storage, and the third level was used as a haymow.

As the second level was built at the height of the hill, a hay wagon could be driven into it so hay could be forked into the haymow, or vice versa. In the Pennsylvania Dutch version, three sides of the barn were made of stone, with the south side of frame construction. Many such barns had air vents, and large, elaborate cupolas on top for interior ventilation.

The round barn was likely the most unique style of barn built in the U.S. The great round barn built in 1826 by the Shakers at Hancock, Mass., undoubtedly served as inspiration for many. Round barns varied in size and design, depending on their purpose. Some were used for horse breeding; others housed dairy herds and draft animals.

Some round barns had overhead conveyor tracks around the perimeter of the lower floor, used to move feeding and manure handling equipment. Some had a central ventilation shaft also used to drop hay and other feed from above. 'Dumbwaiter' elevators were a rare feature. Some had feed grinding equipment at the bottom of the shafts.

In some, radiating bracing timbers extended to the round walls, while others were built around a center silo with radiating timbers to support the great structures. Upper areas were usually completely open with no central support, with all support from the loft up to the cupola furnished by the stud ding and rafter arrangement.

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