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Scale model of barn framing.1916
Alliston, Ontario
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The scale model shows the interior construction of the barn very clearly.16
Scale model of barn and silo.1920
Alliston, Ontario
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Model of the barn.In about 1962, the family got a fright when one of Edward's nephews drove the tractor up the ramp and into the second floor, and then, unable to stop the tractor, drove straight out and landed in the yard. Three other children were riding on top of the wagon in behind, but fortunately the wagon tongue broke away from the tractor and remained in the barn, and none of the passengers was injured.
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Scale model of the barn.1920
Alliston, Ontario
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The young culprit, who shall remain anonymous, relayed this tale to Robert Douglas Banting:"It could have been a very unhappy ending for Anne, Charles, and Marie, all of whom were riding atop the wagon full of hay bales, not to mention the well intending kid, just trying to help his kind and caring but far too trusting uncle. Well, this kid, who shall for now remain nameless spent a week in the Alliston hospital recovering from a kidney injury. Fortunately, the three passengers escaped with only heart stopping memories of their inexperienced cousin's driving (or rather lack of stopping) skills. I still have nightmares about it. If you look carefully at the more southerly doors on the second floor of the barn, facing the house, you can tell that they are old, but not as old as the others. To his credit as both a loving uncle and a man of quiet dignity, who simply went about the business of leading a good and deeply caring life, my uncle [Edward] neither criticized nor rendered an account for the repairs to that terrified kid. ... This was an endearing moment, forever etched in my memories of Uncle Edward."
The height of the tumble is clearly shown in this photograph of the model.
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Scale model of barn and silo.1920
Alliston, Ontario
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After the incident with the tractor, a large beam was placed inside the barn, to prevent such an accident from being repeated.22
View from the 'Scotch Line.'20 April 2006
Alliston, Ontario
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Photograph taken from the "Scotch Line", present day Boyne Street, in Alliston. The trees stand on Sir Frederick Banting Road, where the Banting Homestead is located. You can see how close the brothers' two farms were.The Banting Homestead barn was not the only building to fall prey to fire. Nelson Banting's house burned in 1917. In 1941, his barn burnt as well. His farm was so close to the Banting Homestead that Thompson Banting's wife, Lena, was the first to raise the alarm.
Marie (Shields) Banting recalls the incident:
"It was my mother that saw Uncle Nelson's barn catch on fire, and she called Dad and Edward and they put on all their clothes and went over. They were still asleep. ... [The] barn was burnt. And how mother always needed her glasses. She was looking out the window. And you could see their place, and she didn't know why the light was on. She put her glasses on and she could see that it was a fire […] down in the barn, I guess the fire was just started by spontaneous combustion."
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Sir Frederick Banting's kayak.1925
Museum on the Boyne, Alliston, Ontario
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As with all barns, the barn was a treasure trove. This kayak, owned by Sir Frederick Banting, was stored for years inside a local barn.26
The Banting kayak.1925
Museum on the Boyne, Alliston, Ontario
27
Time to explore the implement shed... |
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