History of Barns in Canada: Historical Perspective on Agricultural Structures (Part One)*

by Ineke Van Zeeland B.Eng. M.Eng.

Agricultural structures have been of historical importance in the early development of Canada. There were farmers among the early waves of immigrants that came to Canada when Europe discovered and began exploring North America. The food and other agricultural products that they produced not only provided for the needs of their own families, but excess production allowed for the continued growth of the Canadian economy and population.

In the past, most agricultural structures were not designed by engineers, having been developed over generations for their specific uses. The designs and materials used were often dictated by the location of the structure: topography, weather and type of local building material available all affected the resulting structures built. The type of farming activities that the structure was to accomodate also dictated specific structural requirements. Farm buildings have changed over the years as different requirements have been imposed and new methods and materials have been developed. However, a close look at how the needs for crop and animal shelter were met by early farmers reveals a surprising number of ideas that are still valid today.

The first European settlers in Canada probably waited until the first crops were harvested to construct the necessary storage facilities. In some places, the first of these structures were made of wattle and daub. However, in the eastern parts of Canada, barns were usually constructed of logs supported on low stone piers. As farmers prospered, more stone might be used for the walls of the first floor, or the barn would be framed with hewn timbers, connected with mortise and tenon joints and still supported on stone piers.

The first roofs were usually covered with slabs of bark, although thatching was used as well, especially in eastern Canada. Some roofs were constructed with warped or scooped-out wooden slabs laid with the hollow sides alternately up and down and overlapped, much like tile is used today. This carried the rain water off with little leakage. Shakes became the most common roofing material, though.

In the middle of the 19th century, as the pioneers moved west, sod barns and houses became common on the prairies. No trees or large stones were available, so the pioneer farmer used wide strips of prairie sod laid one upon the other to build up a thick wall. Sod was then used in a variety of ways to cover the roof. These sod structures were common until the early 20th century. As wood frame construction went west, it was the barns that were replaced first, and then the houses. This was probably due to the fact that the sod houses were warmer and required less heat during the cold prairie winters. However, although sod made excellent walls, roofs invariably leaked and dust and falling debris were constant problems.

During the 18th and early 19th centuries, little or no winter production was expected from livestock. Agricultural buildings were therefore constructed only for the protection of grain and equipment, while fodder for animals was stacked in the yard and the stock was given minimal shelter. As time went on, larger barns began to be constructed for hay and straw storage and were equipped with threshing floors. Horses were the first to be given protection, while cows were provided with only an open shed. Later, as barn design evolved, space was provided for cows.

In the Ottawa Valley there was a European influence reflecting the settler’s origins that was evident in the designs of agricultural structures built in the 19th century, even though local materials were used. The English influence can be seen in both wooden and stone barns with high side walls and low pitched roofs. The doors were at the middle of each side for drive-through access to the threshing floor. Bays on either side of the threshing floor were used to store unthreshed grain or hay. Mow storage for hay may have also been provided above the grainery or cow stable at one end of the barn. Often barns and additional sheds were built to form an "L" or "U" shape to give more protection from the weather.

The influence of the Germans (Deutsch) can be seen in the style popularly know as "Pennsylvania Dutch". It is not restricted to Pennsylvania. In the Ottawa Valley, this style has contributed the idea of a drive floor entrance above the stable that is reached from a bank or hill of earth on one side. Gambrel roof barns became very popular in this area in the late 19th century as farms increased in size and greater storage area was needed. Silos built out of hewn timbers were also being constructed for the same reason. Both are still very evident in the Ottawa Valley, although the wooden silos are very seldom still used, and there is usually one or more modern silos, often in concrete, standing right next to an old wooden one.

The continued change in Canadian agriculture has greatly influenced the design of farm buildings. Improved breeding, feeding, and health care have increased animal production. Mechanization and improved cultivating practices has increased crop production. The movement to "single commodity" farming has changed farming from a lifestyle to an industrial business. These developments have required the design of larger buildings that meet the specific needs of the enterprise housed. The multi-purpose barn housing cows, horses, sheep, pigs, and chickens, as well as hay and grain, is no longer needed. Designs are required for large milking parlours to milk 200 to 2,000 dairy cows, cage laying buildings housing 40,000 to 100,000 hens, environmentally controlled storage for fruits and vegetables, and on-farm grain storage incorporating sophisticated drying and handling systems.

Every type of farming is being affected, and the old barns are seldom used for their original purposes. But, they were often built so sturdy, having a grace that is not often found in today’s utilitarian agricultural structures, that they are being put to new uses. Some have been renovated into homes, often leaving the inner framing timbers visible to provide architectural interest. In the Ottawa Valley, a number of old barns have been turned into artist’s studios, providing the high open spaces artists often require. And at least one in this region has been turned into a museum.

This article will be continued in the next issue of the heritage Ottawa newsletter.