Long before the Nation Valley ATV Club trail system came into existence in 2008, ATV enthusiasts had their secret areas they rode their ATV's on -- trails around their homes or nearby road allowances. Simzer Road allowance was one of these areas we used to frequent with our all-terrain vehicles in our youth. You would not know it today, but years gone by, Simzer Road allowance had abandoned farm buildings along it, and the area South was a dense forest, filled with tractor paths that led to the farmer's fields. Along one of these tractor paths was a mighty oak tree, with a headstone beneath it, and both it and the tree surrounded by a chain link fence. Neither a headstone nor a chain link fence seemed to belong on this tractor path; however, it was something of youthful novelty as we drove past it often. In discussing it with our friends parents, they were aware of the headstone, that it was discovered when new owners had purchased the property and since headstones cannot be removed, a chain link fence was placed around it to protect the area.
The area has changed dramatically since my younger days. The abandoned farm buildings are gone, and most of the trees have been cleared for agricultural purposes, though a lone oak tree with a chain link fence still stands tall in the center of an open field.
Seeing the oak tree out there by itself piqued my interest once more, and reminded me of days gone by. Here is an excerpt of what I was able to learn online:
Given Name: Charles
Surname: Crowder
Sex: M
Birth: 1789
Death: 15 Nov 1873 in Mountain Twp.
Burial: 1873 Internet says: Baker Farm,Mountain Twp.
Change Date: 19 Mar 2002
Note: Taken from Edwardsburgh Twp. Book. Internet data entered too.
United Empire Loyalist. Taken from Edwardsburgh Twp. Book. Internet data entered too.
The grave site was found years ago and Ellery (Herman Ellery Crowder),
Lorne (son of Nathaniel Crowder) and Gerry (son of Gerald Crowder and
Alice Shannette) decided to clean it up and erect a fence around the big
oak tree and gravestone. This was in 1983 and at the same time, they had
the stone resurfaced and the writing and design cut in, this time.
Though you cannot go onto private property to investigate further, you can look out into the field and see the mighty oak and the final resting place of Charles Crowder, and his wife Susanna Wallace on what is now the Breteler Farm.
On ATV/UTV this cache can be accessed from both the West End and South End of the Simzer road allowance. It is not recommended to bring a car/truck down this road allowance. Coming from the South with a car is too rough, coming from the West is easy going, but narrow and no-where to turn around (and can't make it all the way through to the South). Those with a steady hand/patience can drive in from the West and back out, or a smaller car may be able to do a 37-point turn to get turned around.