St. Louis Barn: A Century Farm by Carolyn Gerard

 

Beatrice and James St. Louis Barn Carolyn Gerard, Artist

St. Louis Barn: A Century Farm

Beatrice Julia (Mullins) and James Leon St. Louis Tecumseh Road East and Lauzon Parkway In 1845, the St. Louis family bought Farm Lot No. 123 an area from the Detroit River to Highway 42 and just west of the present Lauzon Parkway. The barn would have been built in 1850, along with a two-story home. The St. Louis family had farmed this land for 4 generations. I have drawn the barn taken from a picture of that time. 

In October of 1986, the land was sold to Ford Motor company for $1500 an acre. Ford went ahead and built Dingwall Ford on Tecumseh Road and the $533 million Ford engine plant. Some of the property was sold to developer C. Mady Leaseholds Ltd after 140 years in the St. Louis possession. The only thing left was the silo. 

In 1987, letters were written to Mr. Chuck Mady requesting that the silo be saved and let stand in recognition of the history of the land and the family. Ann (St. Louis) Hayes wrote about the silo. It was the first cement silo in the area. Her father had it built in 1940. A father and his two sons from Merlin constructed it. It was all hand mixed cement with reinforced steel rods. The cement was poured by hand. The cost was $800.00. 

In the fall of that year, fields of corn were cut and brought on wagons to the silo. The corn stocks were put into a cutting box and shredded into silage. This was winter feed for a feedlot of 50 to 60 beef cattle. Her father James would go by train to Saskatchewan to purchase the cattle. James would return on the same train as the cattle. At different stock yards along the way home he would feed and water them. After many days in cattle cars, they arrived at Tecumseh Station. They were then placed in holding corrals. With the help of neighbours, they were herded down Tecumseh Road, (a dirt at the time) to the farm. 

Many hours of hard work lay ahead for the winter. As youngsters on the farm, they helped with the chores. Twice a day the silo was climbed (about 40 feet) to fork the silage out the chute doors for feeding. The doors were removed as the silage lowered in the silo. It was the first cement silo built and the oldest one standing in this area. 

Ann concluded by writing “my father would have been proud to see it well preserved, a landmark on his farm.” James died on June 1st 1985 at 90 years of age. Mr. Chuck Mady agreed to leave the silo. After extensive digging and checking the stability of the silo, it was determined to be safe. The plaque reads “this silo stands in dedication to James Leon St.Louis & Family. A century Farm 1864-1965 and the Early Settlers of this land. Dedicated by C.Mady-Leasehold Ltd. Charles Nelson Mady Pres. June 22, 1988." 

This beautiful silo is eighty-six years young.

Carolyn Gerard 24 Apr 26