We also saw a couple of long stretches of old stone fencerows now buried deep in the woods.
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Tuesday, July 21, 2015
The Wilson Homestead in Silent Valley
After hiking through the big mossy boulders along the Avalanche Pass Side Trail, as I described in yesterday's post, we rejoined the main Silent Valley Trail and took a short detour to check out the old Wilson Homestead.
The barn was the most fascinating remaining evidence of the homestead to me. These limestone blocks cut to form corners, and put in place nearly 150 years ago amaze me when you consider the technology available then.
The foundation walls were a good 8-10 feet high, although the mortar has mostly crumbled away and I wonder how long what's left will remain.
The barn was HUGE for barns of that era, I think the largest old barn foundation I have ever seen, It was nearly 100 feet long by over 60 feet wide. There is no evidence of barn beams or boards remaining, so I expect the wooden structure was moved elsewhere eventually.
Just a little bit of machinery left, a wheel and gear off some old agricultural implement.
Nearby is the homestead. The most tangible evidence is the well, now fenced off carefully to protect hikers. This is the first place I've seen a plaque describing the history of a Bruce Trail property, and I really like it. I can easily think of other properties where it would be appropriate.
And this is the well - quite amazing that it's still open and hasn't collapsed after a century or more. I've seen one or two other hand-built wells like this on old properties, but never one this deep and still intact.
Here's the basic story. For more detail, the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club has published a 30 page booklet entitled 'Silent Valley', by Ron Savage. It makes very interesting reading!
There is a small depression where the cabin stood, but no structural evidence, so this patch of plants is the most obvious evidence - recognize them? They're one of the most common plants around pioneer homesteads in Ontario - old fashioned Day Lilies - what some call 'Ditch Lilies', and my wife calls 'Flowers of the Field'. Too much shade now for them to bloom here.
Tragically, there was also a small plane crash here 45 years ago, killing all four passengers. Particularly poignant for me!
Silent Valley is definitely worth the walk in to see it, and we only hiked half the side trails that are available.
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It doesn't take long for nature to reclaim. I am surprised the old well hasn't collapsed, but it is a very good thing it's fenced off.
ReplyDeleteIt is tragic that the plane crashed so close to this place, and that so much of the rich history of this farm is gone. I'm glad some still remains, and that you shared it with us. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how nature takes back its land! Quite an interesting post!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a hike worth taking. Beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteThe barn's stone foundation would be a lot of work today with modern equipment. It's hard to imagine building it 100 years ago. Thanks for linking this historic find this week. I hope that you will return again. Tom The Backroads Traveller
ReplyDeleteYou are in my element. I soak up history like a sponge. I am amazed at the strength it took just to carve out a spot to live.
ReplyDeleteI have always been fascinated with dry stacking rocks and have attempted it a few places. The corner stones are amazing. When helping Dad rock this house he would break some rocks but we do not have these fine corner stones. It was more like a puzzle. We had all the rocks and just found the one that told us it was next.
Thanks for visiting.
What a find! It's amazing what people could build 100+ years ago with just crude tools.
ReplyDeleteSadness, and history all there, the barn would have been a huge undertaking. Thanks so much for your words, I am glad the memorial went well for you all.Somehow to put it into words makes it seem even more real, if that is possible. Fond wishes to you and yours, in memory.
ReplyDeletenice! I love checking out historical places like that
ReplyDeletelooks like a great place with lot's of historic interest. your images are beautiful!!
ReplyDeletePeople were tough and resourceful in those days - optimistic too to construct such a huge barn!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of the saying "standing on the shoulders of Giants."
ReplyDeleteThe old abandoned farms speak of the work and always raise questions -- what was life truly like for those families; when and why was the farm abandoned? There's a poignancy to all of these old farms; I've seen a lot of them here in Pennsylvania as well as in New York and New England, and they all bring forth the same emotions.
ReplyDeleteThe barn stone foundation is pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to visit.
I like finding evidence of former buildings. It's fun to imagine what it might have been like to live there and wonder why the place was abandoned.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to see this old homestead that the family diligently worked at clearing the land for farming now being taken over by the forest again. I enjoyed seeing the old stone foundations and well though. The plane crash site is also very sad to see. Thanks for sharing the history of this spot with us.
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