|
The author of this article,
Wayne Gates, grew up on Fallbrook
Mon, 31 Mar 2008
Hi Guys
Just wanted to make sure the info is duly recorded. You will see
that Tom has now included the possibility that we have the site of a
sawmill now to consider. I wondered all along how the ice would have
conveniently been hauled up out of the location in the gorge. What I am
thinking is that the ice house may be in fact the remains of a sawmill
that was as many redundant buildings, used for a subsequent purpose, the
icehouse.
There is no
doubt that the sharp drop in the gorge would have held millions of
gallons of water in reserve for dry times. If say, most of the virgin
timber has been cleared off the closer farms and there is a more
productive and cost efficient place, to get lumber at a lower price
within reasonable distance, then some at least of the number of sawmills
would be out of customers. Take also into consideration that as men age
they need a place to retire and had an older fellow had soul ownership
or use of the building in his late years, it may just have timed out of
the race in his waning years, and the building era of that region.
Tom has gone
so far as to say that the sighted channel looks u shaped rather than v
shaped which is usually the case for an eroded channel. The creek now
has a flat bottom side to side since the water has washed the soil away
down to bedrock.
We now have
a purpose for people to settle on a small parcel of land (20 acres) as
well the parcel that would have been located within by the original
survey. It shows in the 1877 atlas that there were located at the Tee
junction just south of the arch barn two buildings (very close ) to
that corner. That whole hundred acres is a billy goat's paradise since
it is located right on the brow of the escarpment along which the Bruce
Trail winds I doubt it would have provided other than pasture,
woodlot/lumberyard,
and quarry. I do not remember ever seeing a limekiln there.
Even the Arch
shaped building which houses the interpretive centre is a historical
building albeit much more recent since it is formed of wood laminated
into arches as opposed to the structural steel supported version of
later years. So we have:
An Indian encampment
year round version, so there had to be local means of support probably
the falls to net fish, the nearby rough ground has provided cover for
all types of fauna even while we were there. Deer have into the forties
and fifties been plentiful or made a comeback.
In olden times there
would likely be black bears using any caves as dens. Certainly beaver in
the day and other pelts would have served the natives for a time for
trade goods
A squared log cabin
which by the way is written they were the type built in (Esquesing
village) Stewarttown
mostly Irish Protestant chased out of Ireland
by Lucy Emslie. She
goes on to say the earlier settlers there arrived from 1819 on which is
very close indeed in time.
Saw or grist
mill
to provide income for the family and highly valued cash for expansion of
land base for future farming operation. It is very arguable to say that
this building may have preceded all else in terms of building.
The vaulted bridge
which it may be fairly easy to establish was built by Scottish
Masons since it is
likely they would have had some sort of remuneration from the township
in form of relief from tax or possibly cash. Tom's picture is excellent!
Lime Kilns
To provide lime for masonry work if you have access to the 1877 You
will note that the owner of the land could have readily transported
hardwood firewood to either a kiln located between what became the home
of Alma Sinclair and the McKechnie families near the pioneer graveyard
at the corner of the ninth and townlines.
As yet no STILL
sited from which it may have been possible to create the elixir of human
life for social engagements WHASKY.
It was very likely the musical
instruments could have been carried across the ocean but I am sure the
ingenuity and canniness of the local Scottish was no less.
The early built
bank barn we have at least some pictures
The mansion
on the hill locally designed and built by local residents. I hope John
Irene can locate a
good photo of it.
Finally
I will lay my donut allowance on the possibility we have a wood
core taken and in the hands of one capable of reading it's date for us.
If not we have a
person willing to take one by stealth if the guidance could be acquired
from a knowledgeable source. |
