Barn Charm #5

While not your typical barn, tobacco kilns dotted the landscape of Southwestern Ontario for many years. These kilns, resting on the northern fringe of tobacco country in Ontario, were once a plentiful icon of a highly profitable and prolific crop. They were used to dry and cure the tobacco leaves. Both my dad and my aunt worked in tobacco in their teens for summer employment. The pay was good, especially if you stayed on the first few weeks after Labour Day, but it was during a time before harvesting became more automated and from their stories, it was back breaking work, and the insides of the kilns, especially up in the rafters, was stifling hot.

Those kilns still remaining now sit empty in various states of decay. These kilns are in fairly decent repair compared to many I saw over the weekend and they reside near the road, in the front yard of a rather large, modern house. Hats off to the owners who maintain these tobacco flagships that in turn block most of their view out their front door. 

I find them rather charming and am surprised no one has thought to re-purpose them for different use. I can envision them as summer guest homes, sort of like a cottage bunkie, or a bread and breakfast set up, or perhaps a craft barn. No matter, each time I see them they remind me an era long gone and am always happier for the chance meeting for they are more plentiful in the area surrounding my childhood hometown; I've yet to find one near the old farmhouse.

I'm linking to Barm Charm Monday.

~Be well friends~