Jack S. writes: "Hate to be a
spoilsport but I still think that is the remains of an old Jacobs wind generator
minus the propeller and tail. It charged batteries to provide minimal electric
power. One older person I knew had one just to charge his radio battery."Hope M. of
Perceptionphotography.biz writes that
this is scheduled to be demolished in a controlled fire department burn.
She also sent a few more pictures of this barn and silo.
On
5/6/13 Lawrence writes "The 'mechanical device' is the remains of a windcharger.
In the days before rural electrification was completed in the 1950's, many homes
in rural areas did hot have electricity, and families relied on battery operated
radios - today called 'farm sets' by vintage radio collectors. Beginning in the
1930's several manufacturers, including Zenith, marketed windchargers that were
capable of powering a 32 volt radio. When utility power finally arrived, the
utilities usually required the property owner to disable their windcharger
(either by removing it - or more usually - by shooting it full of holes since
they were high up and hard to reach)." 
Harry F. says "For your information the pink school house has been torn down
and moved off it['s] original site to a site behind the historical society." 
On
5/3/13 Bill Boyer writes about state conservation work done 62 years ago.; "I
worked for the state of New York conservation planting trees and fruit-bearing
shrubs all over this farm while the dam was being built. Our crew was stationed
at Perch Lake but worked where-ever it was needed. A fella named Rolly Parker
was the boss and great to be with--lived in Cape Vincent, I believe. Had you
gone to the main barn, behind the house and slightly to the left, you would have
found a 'hidden room' area in the lowest portion, that leads straight back, away
from the direction of the house. This was used during the prohibition years to
make whiskey. Also was said, by Mr Parker that it was a hiding area for slaves
heading north before they were freed. It was quite a large underground
room---surely must be still visible.It's been 62yrs since I was there planting
but knew the spring house as soon as I saw the pictures! Drank out of the spring
many, many times. Water was so cold it made your cheeks ache. There was a tin
cup with a finger handle always at the spring and everyone, for many years,
drank out of the same container. Was no worry of germs back then! We planted
berry shrubs all over the farm, many on the land around the barn and a lot
behind it. Planted several thousand scotch pine seedlings. Used a Farmall M with
three heavy cleats fastened to the outside of each rear wheel that would make a
hole and hinge it open as it turned. We would put a seedling in each hole and
hinge the sod back in place and step on it to 'firm' the root." 
Steve
writes "It's a shame this structure is now a pile of rocks, was pretty neat to
see. I remember a rock in front with the date 1865? on it."
Andy R. writes "My grandparents lived there in the late 60's. My parents would
visit from NYC and had to use an outhouse as there was no running water in the
house."
On
4/30/13 Annette writes "This house is on 12E, not 12."
On
4/9/14 ATom writes "Passed by there the other day. Chimney is still standing,
debris looks to have been cleared. Still some snow on the ground so it was hard
to tell." 
Tracy M. writes: "This was a old cottage that was going to be
used as an icecream shop in Cape Vincent. It was never used though." 
DragonFly Dreamz says: "The last time I drove by, there was work going on here /
house being fixed up (possible a new garage there?) -
Looks like someone making it ready to live in"
On
6/6/13 Mike writes "If it's the same barn I'm thinking of (just before you get
to the cemetery that's dsguised by a woodline?), that barn came down in the last
2 or 3 years. Can't recall if the silo is also gone."
On
6/6/13 Mike writes "This barn on CR9 is also laying in a heap these days. Not
sure if it was torn down or if the elements finally took their toll."
On
4/23/14 Matt writes "I love driving by this house in the summer. If you look in
the barn across the street, you'll notice that there's actually an old
volkswagen beetle in it, covered in hay." 
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OABONNY. All Rights Reserved. Site first online on July
28, 2004 
