Continuing on a journey across Vermont Route 107, friends and I came across this abandoned building and advertisement. It reads: “M Thompson and Sons / Sap Shack / Maple Syrup for Sale.”
Route 107 Sap Shack
- Still visible before spring leaves are in full bloom.
Rear of the sap shack building.
You can also call a “sap shack” a “sugar shack” or “sugar house.” Sugar houses remain common on the Vermont landscape. The gable roof, the sheet metal roof, the ventilator, and the (possible) woodshed on the rear of the building are indicative of a sugar house. To read about Vermont agricultural buildings and their significance, read the Multiple Property Document Form – Agricultural Resources of Vermont. Sugar houses are on page F-102 (or 151 according to adobe PDF).
Regarding this particular sugar house, all that turned up in a search was a 2008 photo of the building – abandoned then, too.
I would really like to take pictures in Michigan in the Irish Hills area. It is almost a ghost town now, but was a real tourist magnet back in the 50′s & 60′s, before virtual worlds! There are still some very retro leftovers. I think Mystery Hill is still open.
I’d love to see pictures if you do take some shots. Sounds fascinating!
Cool. I will do that!