BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- OCTAGONAL STRUCTURES DO CONNECT WITH FAMILY HISTORY

 The Richmond Hill Historical Society had Pamela Vega, The City of Richmond Hill Heritage Planner present a talk on Cemetery ornaments and Octagonal building. She showcased the Death House in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Richmond Hill on \October 21, 2025. 

What came to my mind was the Octagonal barn that used to be at the corner of Dufferin and Steeles.

I have a book on barns published in 1972 . "The Barn-A Vanishing Landmark in North America", by Eric Arthur and Dudley Witney.

I thought the barn was featured in that book. But perusing it I did not find the barn. So I keyed in the words octagonal barn at Dufferin and Steeles and several sites appeared.

Dukes Heights in North York listed some sources in the area. Friends who like Vintage Toronto Facebook page and North York Historical Society had information about the barn, its history and move.

The barn was built for Samuel Troyer, in the 1870s on Lot 1 Concession 3, Vaughan, Ontario.

This photo was taken by Steve Zikman Christmas Day 1976. It is on the Toronto Historical Society page. It is on the page Friends Who Like Vintage Toronto Facebook page.

Octagonal barn

Doing some research online I discovered the barn was dismantled and relocated to the 

Country Heritage Park in Milton. The photo is from their website.

I was pleased to know it still existed. 1977 when it was moved was a different year for me. I had a baby and was home. No internet. No news in the local papers.

For me to think all these years it had existed when I thought it was long gone.

I have copied some articles that tell why it was saved. It will be for another post.

I just wanted to get this post finished before December kicks in.

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