Stone Houses: Stepping Stones from the Past

Melba Croft was a freelance historian living in Owen Sound, Ontario.

This work shows obvious enthusiasm and attention to detail.

The 87 color illustrations of pre-Confederation stone homes (housed in an unattractive, gray-green linen cover) come to life, page by page. The photographs show an eye for beauty in addition to the necessary specifics of good composition and color, and meticulous lighting enhances the scenes. Photography is realistic, never contrived, thereby pointing more strongly to historic fact.

The text, on good quality paper, is divided into seven chapters.

The illustrations of workers, masonry styles, and inventories provide a nice variety. Building facts, interspersed with local folklore, include such nuggets as the reason why windows are a certain size. The bibliography and footnotes attest to careful research.

After reading the purpose of the book (page 6) one might feel that the title should read “A Select Choice of...,” since only 21 counties (and none of the northern ones) are represented (out of 48 recognized).

This volume may have a narrow readership, but it will be valuable to historical societies and L.A.C.A.C. groups.