Wooden barns can last a long time - but not forever. Today, in King Township, we are seeing the last of the 19th and 20th century barns, notably the gable and gambrel designs, as they slip into oblivion. Their replacements are highly functional but often not as pleasing to the eye. Nevertheless, new barns can have the same feeling of homeliness and sanctuary that the old barns did, when a farmer valued his barn more than his house. The protection of his animals and the storage of his crops were paramount. Today it is usually horse barns that replace the old multi-purpose barns. The sounds and smells and sights of a new horse barn, however, always make me recall my grandfather's barn and his cows and pigs and chickens, as well as his work horses.
Photos by Barry Wallace
Construction of this new horse barn is underway on property located at the 16th Sideroad and Keele Street, north of King City. Pre-fabricated building materials allow these structures to seemingly pop up overnight. Incidentally, the raptor flying overhead in this photo, appeared to be a Rough-legged Hawk.
This old barn, with the slightly 'gambrelled' roof, sits close to the East Humber River, at the intersection of the King Road and Jane Street, in the hamlet of Kinghorn.
Please comment if you wish.
Barry Wallace
No comments:
Post a Comment