Tuesday, October 20, 2009

26. Stone Cottages




Stone cottages came into being a little later than the log cabins. There was a ready availability of stones in the Maritime Province's Appalachian Mountains or the Canadian Shield in Ontario and Quebec. Scottish settlers arriving from their homeland frequently had skills as stone masons which they applied in their new home in Cape Breton Island. The same held true for many Irish lads who came to Ontario to build the Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa.

What to look for (clues)
  • By today's standards the buildings were crude with windows and doors placed wherever they were most suitable.
  • Many of the original homes probably had thatching on the roof which has long ago vanished.
  • The sizes were small with most involving a single room.
  • Since glass was expensive, homes might start with wax paper over the windows to be replaced later by numerous small panes.
Where to find it

S
earch around the older Canadian settlements. The cottage shown here is at Seeleys Bay, north of Kingston.

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