Orange Lodge in Caledon East starts its move

April 10, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Work is progressing on moving the Orange Lodge in Caledon East.
Crews started work last week on dismantling the structure which has stood on the property of Caledon East United Church. The various parts are being labeled, with the plan to eventually have the building reassembled on the Caledon Town Hall site, just down the road.
The work is being carried out under the eye of heritage restoration contractor Vic Snow. Town council voted in January to retain is services for the job.
Caledon’s Heritage Resource Officer Sally Drummond reported to council in January that the building is owned by the Trustees of Caledon East United Church.
She also reported the hall was built around 1856, constructed from heavy, squared timber frame.
She reported the building could not be moved to the new location in tact because there had been extensive decay in the wood sill beams, and it was concluded that had compromised its structural integrity.
In addition to labeling the various components of the building, Drummond reported detailed structural drawings of the hall, along with photographic documentation will aid in its eventual re-assembly.
Snow said the dismantling job should take a couple of weeks.
“It is an amazing building,” he commented.
He said there are some who believe it was built around 1870, but he was more inclined to think it was as early as 1855.
“It’s a great building,” he said. “It will look spectacular when it’s rebuilt.”