Some live on ~ some fade away

"This ole house once knew his children

This ole house once knew his wife

This ole house was home and comfort

As they fought the storms of life

This ole house once rang with laughter

This ole house heard many shouts

Now he trembles in the darkness

When the lightnin' walks about"

                                                                                       "This Ole House",  Stuart Hamblen, 1954

Photos by Barry Wallace

The 1885 Charles Hambly house at the north-west corner of the King Road and Highway 27, in Nobleton, may be the finest example of Victorian house architecture in all of King Township.   To be more precise, the style is actually 'Victorian Italianate' and this wonderful landmark is the grand centrepiece of the village.   Who knows how many more generations it will charm?   Others of its ilk are well-preserved here and there in King's villages and farmlands.   Sadly however, others are doomed.   Pictured below are two examples, near Nobleton, of Victorian or Edwardian farmhouses that once proudly proclaimed their style and craftsmanship, but now now stand mute, abandoned and locked up.   The one immediately below is north of the new Nobleton water tower on the west side of Hwy. 27, while the one at bottom is north-east of the village centre on the north side of the 15th Sideroad.   The future of these grand old homes seems dubious, but one can always hope that a guardian angel will intercede.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Kettleby Village verandah

Photo by Barry Wallace

Kettleby Road ~ up the hill ~ north side

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Barry Wallace

Where are these streetlights?

There are only ten of these streetlights in the small King Township village where they exist.   Nine of the ten are located on the only street  that runs from one end of the charming historic hamlet to the other.   The lights are large, warm and friendly-looking and there is a suggestion of yesteryear in their appearance.   They seem to be a very satisfactory choice for the historic village of Kettleby and its main road, of the same name.   Would  that portions of the main crossroads in King City and Nobleton were similarly endowed.

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Barry Wallace 

Llama ~ scientific name: Glama lama

Photos by Barry Wallace

Here's a face that seems friendly enough.   Or is there a glimmer of mischief and grin of intent in that face, as an unwary photographer approaches the pasture fence?

I thought perhaps as I got close to take a photograph of this friendly-looking llama on King's 15th Sideroad, between the 7th and 8th, that he or she might be judging the distance between me and it, before spitting at me.   After all llamas do spit, don't they?   Well, it didn't spit on me.   In fact, it it seemed down-right amiable.   Apparently, llamas do spit but only at each other, and only when there is a dispute ... usually over food.   I was close enough to scratch this llama's ear but did not.   Those large lower teeth looked a little intimidating.   This llama was in a paddock with horses and I wondered if it was fulfilling a role as a sentry.   Immediately across the road there seemed to be another guardian at work (see photo below) and this one seems to enjoy a certain amount status by wearing its very own 'burrow blanket'.

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Barry Wallace

Near Nobleton

Photo by Barry Wallace

Old tree ~ new fence

10th Concession King ~ just north of the old St. Mary's Catholic Church

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Barry Wallace

Fishing is about relaxing, right? Right.

Photo by Barry Wallace

A displaced automobile seat sits on the edge of the Holland River, just south of Highway 11, near Bradford, awaiting its fisherman-owner to return and take up his or her place.
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Barry Wallace      

Cold Creek's pace of change is steady

Photos by Barry Wallace

The old driving shed at the rear of the historic Cairns Family barn has a new roof which makes the entire, combined structure rain-proof.   It is one of the most recent efforts by the Township of King to give new life to the Cold Creek Conservation Area, which it now operates on behalf of the Toronto Region Conservation Authority.   One of the most welcome changes for many people is the fact that Cold Creek is now open each day from Monday to Friday, from 8.30 to 4.30, whereas in the recent past the main gate was always closed and many visitors were deterred by the long trek to enjoy features such as the wonderful bog and boardwalk.   Visitors on Saturdays and Sundays must still park outside the main gate and walk in.

The area behind the Cairns barn has been a busy spot recently as the Township of King Parks and Recreation folks have producing great amounts of firewood.   The intention was to a have a good supply on hand for the spring Maple Syrup festival.   As it turned out there was much more than enough as the maple syrup season was early, as well as short and sweet.   Next year's supply is already cut and stacked (see photo below).

The barn pond at Cold Creek already has a resident pair of Canada Geese in place.   The male, pictured above, gave this photographer quite an earful for his trouble, but everyone's feathers were unruffled in the end.   Each visit to Cold Creek these days is a treat as one sees the changes that the Township of King is making.   Old diehards, like yours truly, may wistfully recall a more pristine time at Cold Creek, but there is no denying the importance of welcoming new visitors, particularly a new generation of children: tomorrow's guardians of the natural environment.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace