Village Squire, 1980-07, Page 16DAYTRIPPING
Ashfield township
Into the "wilds" of Ashfield township to see some
sights - pictorial. historical - forests and a few
fish --and a good place to get ice-cream.
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BY SHEILA GUNBY
This trip is meant for someone who just
likes to take it easy and look at the scenery.
A totally relaxing day.
When I was trying to map out this drive,
1 kept stopping --you know --just to take a
few pictures --just to take a look at the river.
Anyhow, at the rate I was going, it was
going to take a week.
Actually, it's about a SO mile round trip
and takes about two or three hours
--depending on how many stops you take.
It might be a good idea to pack a picnic
lunch.
Mile zero is at the south east corner of
Ashfield township on County Road 1 (the
small village of Nile is just off the
highway).
Proceed west, past Nile and at the first
road, turn right (north) and we will be in
PG. 14 VILLAGE SQUIRE/JULY 1980
farming country. The land here is a light
sandy soil and very flat. Tile drainage has
made it a suitable agricultural area.
Otherwise, it would be too wet.
Continue through the stop sign (after
stopping!). The land on both sides of the
road is an example of land that has been
recently reclaimed; land that has been
cleared and drained within the last year.
As you move into a hardwood bush area,
the road winds into the valley of the Nine
Mile River. (It is called the Nine Mile River
as its outlet at Port Albert is nine miles
north of Goderich. Just to confuse the
issue, it's also known as the Lucknow
River. In any case, you will be crossing it at
many points along the way).
Head over the cement bridge (good place
to stop and look), which crosses the Nine
Mile River, past the mill, and up to the
corner. Take a left hand turn (west), up the
hill and then the first turn to your right
(north again). You will pass a gravel pit on
the left corner and then another one further
up on your right just after you pass over the
Nine Mile River again.
Arriving at the next crossroads (6th
concession) you can make a side tour, but
come back to this corner to proceed with
the initial tour.
SIDE TOUR—If you turn right (east)
there is a 100 acre reforested area
maintained by the county of Huron which
has walking paths. Originally 24,000 trees
were planted in 1948, but due to diebacks
caused by the gravelly conditions, another
17,000 were planted about ten years later.
The trees are mainly scotch, red and white
pine as well as white spruce. A good picnic
spot.
BACK TO INITIAL TOUR—Continue to
drive north, over the bridge (Nine Mile
River) and continue past the 9th concession
(a paved road.) The road you are now on is
never used in the winter except by snow
mobiles and skiers. These hills are known
as Hall's Hills, named after a family of
Irish extraction that settled on this side -
road in 1865. Take these hills slowly - not
much room to spare.
The next road reached is the 10th
concession of Ashfield with Trinity United
Church on the north west corner. Turn left
(west). Before reaching the next sideroad,
you will notice an interesting architectural
feature - an octagon barn on your right, on
a farm owned by Jim Nelson. According to
records it was copied from a barn an earlier
settler on this farm had seen in Woodstock
and he wanted something different for his
farm. This is quite a landmark for this area;
there are not many like this in Ontario.
Passing the round barn, turn right
(north) at the next corner. Proceed to the
next road and turn right (east.)
This farmland contrasts with the land at
the first of our trip. It was very light while
this is a clay loam. It's very productive land
here.
Carrying on you may catch a glimpse of
the Zion Pioneer Cemetery; tombstones
that have been collected and displayed
together in order to preserve them (on your
right).
Pass the crossroads to the next stop sign
(County Road 1 again.)
SIDE TOUR—(return to this corner to
continue original tour). Immediately south
on County Road 1, the Nine Mile River
crosses under the road. At this site, to your
right, the Ministry of Natural Resources
are managing the river area, trying to
preserve the habitat and spawning grounds
of the rainbow trout. In order to do this,