Fire destroys plans for parties, showers at Canton's Cady-Boyer Barn
Posted On: Jul 205, 2021
Canton Township’s historic Cady-Boyer Barn was slated to be the perfect setting for graduation parties, baby showers and other events in 2021.
Years in the making, a new nearly $300,000 pavilion with restrooms was supposed to make the Preservation Park barn an even more popular venue for special moments and charmed memories that nodded to the township’s agricultural past.
But the big ol’ red barn kissed by plenty of sunrises and sunsets is gone.
Police and fire officials are investigating why flames destroyed the Preservation Park landmark on Sunday, over the Memorial Day weekend, while others scramble to replan parties, reunions and annual gatherings.
“Unfortunately, we have graduation parties scheduled for that barn over the next several weeks,” Greg Hohenberger, Canton’s leisure services director, said. “I have one that’s supposed to be happening this Saturday and we’re trying to figure out what we can do for them. It’s really unfortunate.”
Emergency dispatchers called him to find out what was inside the barn as it burned. The pre-Civil War structure burned quickly at the 500 Ridge Road North address.
Hohenberger arrived to find the barn gone. There were just a few standing beams left, which he found “sad” and “surreal.”
“Long term, we’re just starting those discussions about what we’re going to do,” Hohenberger said. “I’m sure that we will do something. I just don’t know exactly what that plan will be. We’re so early in the process. I just don’t know.”
He noted that township residents can participate in the master plan process by suggesting uses for the space once home to the Cady-Boyer Barn. The park should be able to continue hosting the Canton’s farmers market.
