Documenting the Loss of Old Barns in Sombra Township

Posted by Darrell Randell, OBP Member and Regional Representative

A long-time volunteer at the Sombra Township Museum, the late Charlie Grant, undertook a project to photograph every barn within the township. He started around 1998 and completed it sometime in 2002. I admire his foresight to complete this photographic record of old barns in Sombra Township. It provides the baseline to document the losses of old barns within the area.

By the 1970s farming was becoming more specialized in crops or intensive livestock and the old barns were gradually becoming obsolete. People liked the distinctive, architectural style of old barns, and across the landscape there seemed to be a barn on nearly every farm. Over time unused barns deteriorated. It is a hard call to invest in maintenance for a building that has no practical use any longer.

Some of the barns are still being used, but this requires modifying them from the original purpose. It could be more intensive livestock production, or some niche market production, or machinery storage with a shop. Some people are converting barns for a variety of uses unrelated to agriculture. My wife has suggested that I could build an apartment for myself in our barn. I hope that is just innovative thinking by her and not a strong hint for me after 45 years.

Farms consolidation also played a role in the loss of barns. When taking over another farm old barns can be seen as a liability and a new owner may just hire a dozer to pull it down and bury it. A rural residence could be severed and sold from the farm as “surplus farm dwelling”. Municipal planners would require any barns be removed as the new lot did not have sufficient land to spread manure. Planners could not consider barns as suitable for any purpose other than animal husbandry, so the barn must come down as a condition of severance.

In 2022 and 2023, museum volunteers took another look at the barns in Sombra. We used the archive of photos from around the year 2000 as the baseline and here is what we found.

The baseline showed 240 barns. We looked at the location for each one and 87 barns were gone. That left153 barns still standing. However, we also rated the condition of the remaining barns. This was done from the car window, just what could be seen from the road, and another 35 barns were listed in poor condition. A barn was listed as poor if there were large sections of the roof or walls missing, or the barn was leaning badly. This is not to say they were beyond repair, but the need for repair was urgent and seemed unlikely. That leaves 118 barns, probably fewer, in reasonable condition in the former township. The alarming statistic is that less than half of the barns photographed around the year 2000, are still standing in good condition.

In our travels last year and speaking with barn owners, I asked the question, “What are you using the barn for?” The frequent answer I received was “Nothing” or “Just storing junk”. I sometimes stated the barn is still sitting square, and would be answered with “Yes, but I do not have a use for it and when it does need something, I will not be spending anything on it”.

I was familiar with these feelings because after I retired in 2019, I was faced with having to put a new roof on my barn. Should I put a new roof on a barn that will then require a lot more done to it? In consideration, I thought about the potential for new uses. I also thought about the family stories and history. My great Aunt and her husband had the barn built in 1923 and I listened to many stories. My mother, when growing up, frequently spent extended periods living here with Aunt Nettie and Uncle Jack. I have lived here since 1957. Most family photos taken outside have had the barn in the background.
I concluded that it would be worth it to me to get this old barn fixed up. It was a lot of work and a lot of money, but I am very pleased with the result.

I volunteer with Ontario Barn Preservation. A recently formed group seeks to preserve the distinctive architecture of barns, their purpose and as much as possible, the family histories. Almost all barns are privately owned and so ultimately, keeping a barn will always be a decision for the landowner. Even if the barn is not kept, preserving it with photos, dimensions and stories can be an important aspect of a rural heritage that is otherwise being lost.

While I was growing up, I was in so many barns playing with neighbour kids and cousins or helping to bring in hay or straw. Many of those barns are gone now and kids today may never get to see the inside of a barn. The loss of this heritage will not stop. However, we should be aware of what is being lost and at least protect the history of barns.

To all OBP blog readers: If you have not already done so, please support not-for-profit, volunteer-run, Ontario Barn Preservation by becoming a member! Also, if you are in the business of repairing, reconstructing, engineering, designing, etc. old barns, please consider advertising your amazing skills on our Barn Specia-List. If you own an old barn that you would like to offer to someone else, or you are hoping to obtain one for your own project, make use of our Barn Exchange page. If you own an old barn and would like to save it in the virtual world for future old barn lovers, historians and researchers, check out our Your Old Barn Study page. And please send us your own barn story, photos and/or art for submission as a OBP blog posting for the enjoyment and education of all barn lovers! info@ontariobarnpreservation.com