Magical Mystery Farm

 When we lived near North Bay, we would occasionally pass this farmstead on highway 17 near Deep River. The log complex always called out to me; it struck me as a significant historic grouping. True, there are a surprising number of log farms along highway 41 from Eganville to Pembroke...what is odd about this farm is how well kept it looks (no modern additions of sheet metal or plastic attesting to ongoing efforts to keep the place viable), yet how sterile and unused ( no livestock or signs of their activity, no people, no vehicles). We stopped the car and I took a few photos, and crept close enough to get a shot of the sign on the farmhouse...

 It reads "Main House - the house faces the original road which approached north-east from the Pembroke-Mattawa Road. The building is typical of the mid to late 19th century squared log structures. The farm was owned by Fergusons until 1930 when it was sold to a nephew, John King. Mr. King lived in the house until he sold the property to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, in 1968."

So, what was the story of the homesteaders, their origins, their dreams, their successes and failures? Who was Mr. King? Why did he sell out to Atomic Energy and what are they doing with a log farmstead?

I can't find anything online, and don't have access to local histories. If my readers have any clues, I would be delighted to hear from you.