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THE
BUCHAN RESIDENCE
Located on the
outskirts of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is
Mockingbird Hill Homestead Farm, a working,
horse-drawn farm, reminiscent of the typical
homestead in Northern Ontario in the mid 1800's. A
centerpiece for the farm is the "Buchan Residence",
designated an Historical site under Bylaw 92-18 on
March 2, 1992.
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While no
date of actual construction is available,
it appears logical to assume from the land
conveyance documents that it was erected
in the mid to late 1880's. It is the only
surviving nineteenth century squared log
building remaining in Sault Ste. Marie.
Originally it sat on large, well
maintained grounds fronting the Little
Carp River, and enjoyed extensive views to
the east, west and south to the St. Mary's
River.
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The size of the
logs used in the construction indicate it was very
likely the first building on the property when the
virgin timber was being felled. By the second half
of the nineteenth century frame structures were the
accepted building form, except in areas where
timber was abundant.
The original solid
timber portion is constructed of logs over 1 foot
in girth, with one almost two feet in girth. These
logs have been hand dressed (adzed) to 4 flat
faces, of a general width of 8 inches.
The craftsmanship
of the dovetailing of the corners of the building
is in the best traditional practice to control
shrinkage and allow for proper drainage. Those
allowed the timber walls, even where exposed to the
elements, to be completely free of rot.
The walls rise to a
height of some two feet above the upper floor level
with a pole and plank roof over the
structure.
The proportion of
the window openings is somewhat larger than the
small, squat openings typical of the early log
structures. These openings suggest that they were
cut for standard mill run sash, commonly available
after mid-Victorian times. The home is an excellent
example of traditional early Canadian dressed
timber construction.
MOCKINGBIRD
HILL HOMESTEAD FARM
The Mockingbird
Hill Homestead Farm has demonstrated the growth and
development of the typical homestead. Land is
cleared, tilled and fenced; trails are brushed and
forest lands are managed. Visitors can experience
hands-on learning and participation in a genuine
pioneer experience, including Maple syrup making,
nature trails, pioneer agriculture and hay and
sleigh rides.
More information on
Mockingbird Hill Homestead Farm can be obtained by
contacting
Mockingbird Hill
Homestead Farm
943 Landslide Rd
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
P6A 6J8
Tel: (705)
253-4712
CONCLUSION
In the past
half-century, agriculture has decreased as an
economic activity in Northern Ontario. That fact,
however, should not be allowed to obscure the very
important role that it has played in the history of
the north. By overcoming the hardships and heart
aches that they did, the early pioneer farmers
contributed invaluably to the making of today's
Ontario northland.
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