The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SUGAR SHANTY

IN FRANKLINVILLE, NEW YORK, IT IS CUSTOMARY IN THE SPRING
TIME TO MAKE MAPLE SYRUP AND CANDY. INDIVIDUAL
FARMING FAMILIES MAY SET UP THEIR OWN SYRUP FACTORY,
CALLED A "SHANTY." (BECAUSE OF ITS APPEARANCE). A
PERSON UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AREA MIGHT TAKE THE SUGAR
SHANTY TO BE A STILL, THEY LOOK EXACTLY ALIKE.
A SHANTY IS MADE OF LOGS, CONSTRUCTED ALONG THE
SIMPLEST LINES, AND CONTAINS A GIANT VAT WHERE
THE SAP IS BOILED. THE BEST EXAMPLE IS A SHANTY
ON THE BACK ROAD BETWEEN FRANKLINVILLE AND FARMERS-
VILLE STATION.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE