Barn Charm on Salt Spring Island

We spent several enjoyable days last week on Salt Spring Island, eating Raven's wonderful food and taking some drives around the beautiful countryside.  Although I've never posted to the Barn Charm blog meme before, TexWis's posts have intrigued me for some time, and this barn was definitely an eye-catcher as we drove home after a pleasant visit to Beddis Beach.

This is Mr. Dodds, one of two brothers who own the barn.  He was most hospitable, inviting us in, and telling us about his grandfather, who built the barn in 1898.  He allowed me to take as many pictures as I liked so I was a happy camper, indeed.  Thanks, Mr. Dodds!

I found some information about Mr and Mrs.  A. J. W. Dodds on page 15 of this article.  They were two of the original white settlers on the island.  Mr. Dodds arrived with an M.A. from Cambridge, and taught for several years in the local schools.  I'm not sure if he was the grandfather who built the barn, but imagine he may have been.

There is a feeling of "all is right with the world" when one walks into a well-run barn.  

Mr. Dodds and Bill talked for a while, but I unfortunately missed quite a bit of the information in my zeal to take photographs.  I do know that the original Dodds family arrived via the mid-Western States before finally choosing to settle on Salt Spring Island.

The hay smelled fresh and was stacked neatly in the immaculate..

and beautifully constructed barn.

Such workmanship!

These antlers appeared to have been there for many, many years.

One last look before we said good-bye.  Thank you again, Mr. Dodds for sharing a little of what is clearly just the beginning of a fascinating story.

To see other photos of barns, don't forget to check out the Barn Charm blog meme.