Whizzing along Highway 1 from Bridgetown to Annapolis Royal, the Troop Barn has been turning heads for generations. Built in 1888, the Granville Centre structure was one of just two surviving octagonal barns in the province, leading to its classification as a Heritage Property in 1984.
Sadly despite this acknowledgment of the building's historic and architectural value, years of neglect allowed the building to degrade to the point of no return: too hazardous to leave standing and too costly to repair.
As a result, provincial and municipal heritage protection was withdrawn in recent months.
So, once again the Troop Barn is turning heads on the Highway 1, but not for much longer. Demolition began this past weekend, drawing its 121-year life to a close and ending years of speculation of preservation through conversion to perhaps a community centre, perhaps a gallery, perhaps a performance venue, perhaps...
Amidst rumours of possible reincarnation on the South Shore, one thing is certain. Granville Centre’s Troop Barn will soon be gone.
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For more discussion of the Troop Barn’s declassification and demolition, read these entries at AnnapolisRoyalHeritage.blogspot.com:
A Sad Day for the Troop Barn (Jan. 13, 2009) http://annapolisroyalheritage.blogspot.com/2009/01/sad-day-for-troop-barn.html
Going, going… (April 19, 2009) http://annapolisroyalheritage.blogspot.com/2009/04/goinggoing.html
UPDATE: The Old Troop Barn just aint what she used to be
UPDATE: The Old Troop Barn just aint what she used to be
NEW PHOTOS: Demolition nearly complete, Troop Barn (1888-2009)
New photos added, April 30 -Editor.
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