The farm was first homesteaded in 1871 by Elof and Eva Modig, who emigrated from Sweden.

The couple raised five children and grew wheat on their farm, as was common in the 1870s.

By the 1890s Minnesota farming had begun to diversify, with cheese and butter production becoming popular and distributed by cooperative creameries.

In 1915 Charles Moody, one of the sons, decided to build a modern round barn.

The barn has been repainted and reshingled, and is situated in the 25-acre (10 ha) Moody Lake Park.