32. Saltbox

32a. Saltbox (Brampton)

The Saltbox style dates back to colonial times in the United States when they used a box, shaped in this manner, to store salt, a very important commodity at

this time.

Two and two and a half storey homes used to keep the salt box immediately behind the house (often a severe Georgian). Sometime prior to 1680 a bright builder simply extended the building roof to include the shed... and the new Saltbox style was created.

In the United States the building often goes by the name 'Cat Slide'.

32b. Saltbox (King's Landing, New Brunswick)

32c. Saltbox (St. Marys)

What to look for (clues)

- The house has to be sufficiently large so that the back roof could be properly extended. The back roof may be a straight line but there are many examples where there is a slight deviation.

- There was usually one large chimney placed in the back center of the house however I note that many of the newer samples have the chimney at the edge of the roof's crest.

- The main entryway is usually in the center of the facade.

32d. Saltbox (New Hamburg)

Where to find it

- The Saltbox is usually found in the older sections of towns or cities.

- Surprisingly, the Saltbox is fairly common, but you have to look for them because they are usually relatively plain with subdued colours.

32e. Saltbox (Kitchener)

Other Info

The most interesting Saltbox that I found was in St. Stephens, New Brunswick. When the War of 1812 began the building was floated across the St.Croix River from Calais, Maine to St. Stephens. (There has always been a close relationship between the peoples of the two towns. Up until the Bush era, river engines from both towns would react two any fires on either side of the border!!