The first time we went for a walk through town here in Milton, we passed by this home at 296 Pine Street and I have been captivated by it's beauty ever since.
It was built on the west bank of Sixteen Mile Creek by Cornelius Foreman in 1855. It was financed by James McGuffin and sold to industrialist Samuel Morse on June 22nd, 1857 who at the same time was busy constructing a foundry not far away on Commercial Street. From there he sold and manufactured ploughs and other farm implements.
Samuel was active in local politics and represented the East Ward on Milton Council from 1867 to 1870. He passed away in 1870, and the home remained in the family until 1890. Subsequent owners also included local retired banker James Mogridge who in addition to being a golf enthusiast was also an active member and chairman of the local library board.
The current owners have updated the home, but it's unique charm and history are still very obvious in this wonderful property.
Indian Hill Farm is located on Osler Bluff southwest of Collingwood and was the weekend retreat of our wonderful neighbours, John & Carol Rykert and their children. This beautiful farm style home is comprised of three floors, the first and second constructed of beautiful rusticated brick built into the side of a natural hill, and the third level and garage of traditional board & batten. A wonderful trellis style porch completes the package and gives the home a marvellous finishing touch.
Indian Hill Farm is so named as a result of an ancient Indian burial ground that was discovered many years ago when construction work was being done on Osler Bluff Road. When we moved there in 1970, the road was still very much a country gravel road. It is rumoured that the reason why the hill leading to Osler Bluff was never levelled out was due to the fact that a portion of the burial ground lay beneath it. This area was once home to the Huron and Petun Indians, and if you ever have the chance to visit Scenic Caves you can learn more about these tribes. What I can tell you is that I vividly recall the Rykert children showing me a basket full of arrowheads and other stone artifacts they had found on their property, mostly in the field surrounding their home. As Silver Creek bisects this area and runs though my folks property down the road, I have found many small bones and fragments while playing in the river over the years. One of my more "interesting" discoveries is what I believe to be a tooth that I found while playing in the river with my ducks a long time ago.
The drawing above was done by a 16 year old me on July 13th, 1981 as I sat on a rise across the river from the house. I remember that summer well, for two weeks later I would be watching a very young Lady Diana Spencer marry her future "prince." There's more to my Diana reference, and I will definitely share that in a future post.
I hope you enjoyed this little story, and as always - thank you for reading!
A classic example of an ornate Victorian Regency cottage circa the 19th century.
We moved to Osler Bluff Road way back in 1970 and the Rykerts - Carol, John and children Elizabeth, Pam, Serena and John were our "weekend neighbours" from Toronto at Indian Hill Farm up the road. The Rykert family were wonderful, generous and kind folks, and I have many fond memories of time spent playing in the woods and river surrounding our properties. The family were frequent travellers, and I remember well some of the great gifts that they would bring back for me. Among those that I recall the most were a very powerful slingshot with lead bullets that my grandpa Neil once 'accidentally" shot a hole through the neighbour's screen door with while scaring squirrels, and a great pair of English Wellington boots that were identical to the ones a very young Lady Diana Spencer was wearing when photographed fishing with Prince Charles on the River Dee in 1981. In addition to these, my other great memory is of the delicious crates of oranges and grapefruits we would regularly receive at Christmas while the family was on holiday in Florida. For a young boy I always found these thoughtful gifts both exciting and somewhat exotic.
After Mr. Rykert passed away in 1981 Mrs. Rykert - Carol - became a more welcome and regular presence next door. Eventually as her brood grew older, she moved from the larger farm next door at Indian Hill (so named because of the Indian burial ground under the hill on Osler Bluff Road), and into Grandma Morrison's smaller Victorian era brick cottage atop the hill across from the Buckingham Farm. She did a wonderful renovation and restoration of this beautiful home and added a very seamless addition to the original structure. When I was still living at home I would often pop in for a visit with her, and we would discuss books, her trips and architecture, while her dog Cosmo and my dog Lady played in the yard.
Carol was a wonderfully kind lady, and we were so blessed to have her as a neighbour. She was a patron of the arts and very much an active part of Collingwood life. When I moved away from home, there were many things and people I missed from home and she was definitely one of those folks. This past summer we were passing by and decided to drop in for a visit as it had been so long since I had seen her. We ended up having a very wonderful chat capped off with a goodbye hug. In retrospect, I'm so glad I decided to stop in for it was to be the last time I saw her. Carol passed away on Tuesday November 18th, and with her an integral part of the tapestry of our neighbourhood. She will truly be missed.
For many years this beautiful old home sitting just outside of Collingwood on Highway #24 fascinated me. As my grandparents Neil and Reba lived in Nottawa, we passed this house very frequently, and for many years it sat vacant shuttered in by trees and surrounded by farmland. It wasn't until the early 1990's that the home finally saw the love and attention it so deserved when it was purchased by a fine gentleman named Raymond Greer who saw it's potential and brought it back to life.
The home itself was constructed in 1912 by the descendants of one William Hamilton, a former "wharfinger" or warehouse worker for the Northern Railway. The Hamilton family once resided in a stately home at 227 Minnesota Street in town, but in 1882 ill health prompted the decision for him to quit his job and move his wife Annie and their eight children to a 170 acre farm outside of town. Mr. Hamilton passed away five years later, but the property remained in the hands of his wife and children.
This splendid home is a great example of "Edwardian Architecture" (1890-1916) which followed the ornate romanticism of the Victorian period preceding it. The Edwardian period is associated with the reign of King Edward VII, son of Queen Victoria who reigned between 1901 and 1910. As the reign of Victoria wound down, so to did the ornate architecture that came to be associated with her. The Edwardian style was a precursor to the more simplified styles of the 20th century. Many Classical elements such as colonies and keystones are present, but in a much more simplified and understated presence. The architects and designers of most Edwardian homes created beautiful designs with a rural coziness that is so lacking in 21st century houses. The exteriors are rather unassuming and humble compared to the extravagant signs of the Victorian era. The interiors are where all the elegant paintings, fine telework stained glass and ornament inspired by Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts can be found.
Edwardian homes such as this splendid example are characterized by a gable front, three or four bedrooms upstairs and a porch of generous proportions. Not only is there an ample sized porch with multiple white columns, but as an added bonus - this one comes with a dramatic sunporch above. This style also featured a smooth brick surface cut with many windows with generous sills. Capping it off was a gleaming slate roof - although this one has since been replaced with red tile.
I have sketched and photographed this home several times over the years, and was fortunate enough to spend time in it as well. The pen and ink study above much like the home itself has been altered several times since it's creation. The love that gave both it and the home life has not diminished.
Thank you for looking and for sharing an interest!
This beautiful abandoned farm home sits at the corner of County Road #31 in Grey Highlands - just before you turn to head towards Singhampton. We drive by it every time we come back home to Milton, and I have always been enamoured with it. It is quite typical of the farm homes of it's era, most likely constructed during the latter half of the 19th century in both board & batten with cedar shakes over timber construction. Quite a few folks have told me that this home was actually occupied back in the 1980's, but today the house is open to the elements and usually surrounded by cattle and horses as we pass it by. I have always referred to it as "Casper's House" after one of my favourite cartoon characters - "Casper the Friendly Ghost." It most certainly looks as though Casper could live here, and I was inspired to illustrate him doing just that.
The first image here is a pen & ink sketch I did of the home while out for a ride on my mountain bike. The second is how I would imagine Casper sleeping, um floating peacefully by a wood stove in the back corner room of the old home.
The bottom image is a panoramic shot I took one evening while driving home. This beautiful shot captures not only the mystery of the home, but the stunning sunset as well. I certainly hope you enjoy this post, and thank you so much for looking!
Wednesday 12 November 2014
Jardine Sideroad
This wonderful example of the classic "Old Ontario Farmhouse" once sat on the northwest corner of the Jardine Sideroad just off Hwy #24 on the way to Duntroon. For many years I was fascinated by this gem, and it commanded a prime piece of farmland with a stunning view towards the panorama of Blue Mountain.
The home itself way typical of the centre floor plan style. It had a central stair hall with an ornately carved walnut banister, and four rooms downstairs. The rear portion of the home was also cast in brick giving it the traditional "T" shape and was occupied with the kitchen quarters. Attached to this was a wooden back shed, also typical of these types of farm homes. Upstairs there were 4 bedrooms of generous proportions along with a solitary bathroom, also typical of the era.
This wonderful home was blessed with a wealth of ornate detailing, from its buff brick surrounds, carved roof supports, gable details and most impressive - it's detailed front porch. I visited and photographed the home many times over the years, and simply had to sketch it and capture it's beauty.
Sadly, after sitting vacant for many years, this beautiful symbol of a bygone era was torn down and replaced by yet another soulless piece of modern architecture. The only reminder of the glory that once stood here is the still beautiful barn in the back of the property, missing some of it's cladding but still a glorious reminder of what once was.
I searched through my photo archives folks and found a few photos I took of this beautiful home. The first shows the exterior in all it's glory with the rear kitchen and a peek at the rear shed as well. I collaged the second image, and it is of the beautiful walnut banister that graced the centre stair hall, replete with ornate carving. The third is of course the beautiful barn which still stands proudly overlooking the fields. I hope you enjoy these images, and thank you for looking!
Monday 10 November 2014
"The Birchs"
Growing up in Collingwood, I was so fortunate to surrounded by a town steeped in tradition, history and blessed with a wealth of beautiful historic homes. The home pictured above has always been one of my particular favourites. "The Birchs" as it was affectionately named was designed by English civil engineer Richard Palin and constructed in 1861. It is somewhat of an architectural curiosity as it is built in the unusual "sawmill plank" method of construction, that being that the individual planks are laid on top of each other, plank on plank. This beautiful home has always reminded me of an English farmhouse, and even though it once sat on a rather generous 2 acre lot - I have always pictured it in a country setting.
Several well known Collingwood families have called this gem their home, but during my youth I always referred to it as the "Harvie Home" as it was now occupied by Dr. Douglas Harvie and his wife Madeline. If your ever fortunate enough to be in Collingwood, the home sits at 227 Minnesota Street and is definitely worth a drive by as the entire street is blessed with a wealth of great architectural gems.
Sunday 9 November 2014
The Cottage
Over the years I have dabbled in many "Folk Art" projects. As a young boy, I was obsessed with building things - in particular - small houses out of lumber, and I was assisted by my beloved late grandfather Neil. We spent many hours in the basement creating small houses for my favourite toy Snoopy based on drawings I had created. Many years later after he retired, my grandpa loved creating many of his own folk art projects, and I was only too happy to assist him. Many folks were amazed by his handiwork, and my grandma used to tell them he got lots of practice building things with me when I was little. Sadly, my grandpa passed away in 1992, and to this day whenever I create something I wish he was around to see my work.
The picture you see above is definitely "folksy" in feeling and media. My mom and I were gathering leaves one day and she remarked how interesting it would be if I painted something on a leaf since there were so many very generously sized specimens. We gathered a few, and then I set out to find the perfect subject. I did not have to look any further than our own family cottage in beautiful Grey County. Based on a drawing by yours truly and built by McIntyre Brothers and my father in 1987, the cottage truly is my home and haven. My inspiration was my home base.
Starting with a leaf of ample proportions, I first varnished it to prepare the surface for painting. I selected the image from a photo my mom had sent me one winter when the weather kept me from home more than I was happy with. Then with the utmost of care, I painted the image in acrylic paint hoping to capture just the right balance of warmth and home in a winter setting. I must say, I was pleased with the result. A final coat of varnish to seal the surface and then I carefully glued the delicate work to a piece of 100% organic paper made out of plant matter, leaves and flowers. After that, all that was needed was a nice frame and I was good to go! Since there was so much texture in the organic paper, I found it unnecessary to use a mat as the picture already had enough points of interest.
It definitely was an interesting study, and one that I most certainly will be revisiting.
For many years the Buckingham Farm occupied the tract of land on the north side of Osler Bluff Road. The Buckingham's had a long history in the county. It is recorded that their ancestors had settled into the area as early as the 1850's, and if you ever get chance to pay a visit to the pioneer church not far from Rob Roy, the cemetery is dotted with stones bearing the names of their kin.
I was fortunate enough to grow up across from this beautiful farm which was now in the hands of John Buckingham and his family. I spent many hours assisting these folks in cutting and baling hay, milking - yes, milking cows, and even churning butter. As the elder Buckingham's passed on, the farm was eventually sold and sat vacant for a number of years. The beautiful farm home was eventually torn down in the early 1990's.
I did this pen & ink with watercolour study to capture and immortalize it and their memory. The home itself was the classic "Old Ontario" farmhouse based on the centre hall floor plan and back kitchen. Except for the scattering of lilac bushes that graced the rise from which the house once stood, the farm property itself has now been taken over by the luxury homes of the Windrose Valley Development.
The image is 9"x12" on 100% rag watercolour paper, acid free and is available to purchase. Please contact me for details at sandym70@yahoo.co.uk or at 416.827.5324 if you are interested. Thanks for looking!
High on top of beautiful Blue Mountain in historic Grey County sits the ghost of a monument to love and devotion. Osler Castle was not a "Castle" per say. It was however a grand country manor in the style and grace of a generation who valued quality craftsmanship and most of all, romance.
Britton Bath Osler (1839-1901), the namesake and the creator of this magnificent landmark, saw his humble beginnings as the son the Reverend of a pioneer Anglican Parish near his birth place of Bond Head.
His studies began in Barrie in 1844, and continued in both Bradford and Bond Head before he became an apprentice in law at Dundas. From there he advanced a law office in the burgeoning metropolis of Toronto, and this set off a brilliant and lucrative career as both a criminal and corporate lawyer. His criminal claim to prominence was in securing the conviction of Louis Riel on charges of treason during the North-West Rebellion of 1885.
Caroline Osler nee Caroline Smith (1836-1895) was the daughter of Captain H.Smith of the East India Company. Britton and his beloved "Carrie" had met in 1859 when his father Featherstone was engaged to marry caroline's sister Henrietta in the year 1861. At this time the Smith family was living in Ancaster, and much later on in time the Osler's would come to build a home in nearby Dundas called "Staplehurst." Caroline and Britton were married in 1863, and from this union sprang the involvement with Collingwood , our beautiful Blue Mountains and the "castle" at Deer Park.
Mrs. Osler suffered greatly from a severe case of arthritis and was confined to a wheelchair in the later years of her life. As a symbol of his undying devotion and to hopefully ease and alleviate her pain, Osler searched the countryside for an attractive location where they would be surrounded by natural beauty. He came to discover the ideal place in Collingwood Township a few miles west of Collingwood. He came to purchase an expansive tract of land some 330 acres in size on a wooded hillside cleft by Silver Creek and overlooking a large pond from which the creek was born.
The mansion itself was inspired by many of the homes in the Tuxedo Park area of Upper New York State, and architect E.B. Jarvis was commissioned to prepare plans for a large home set up upon a rise of land on the north side of the stream. The front of the home faced south-east giving a panoramic view of the southern hills and the rock face which came to be known as "Osler Bluffs" and the spreading flatlands of Nottawasaga Township. To the eastern horizon could be seen Nottawasaga Bay, and I would assume on a clear evening - the faintly twinkling lights of the port of Collingwood.
Construction on the home began in 1893, and a Mr. Robert Burdette of Collingwood was listed as the contractor. The building itself was built on a full basement with a home containing 15 rooms above it. A rambling verandah encompassed the front and eastern sides of the home with a massive freestanding stone archway at it's forefront. No expense was spared in constructing this grand manor, and only the finest artisans and craftsmen were employed. Much of the stone was quarried on site by stone masons James Ball and John Homes of Barrie, and their work still endures today - a testament to their craftsmanship. The interior woodwork was of the finest quality featuring mahogany, birds eye maple and oak. Frank and William Bryan, the "Bryan Brothers", were master craftsmen and responsible for many of Collingwood's grand homes. They were entrusted with the the design and installation of all of the interiors, and the interior beauty reflected the beautiful work these gentlemen and their company were well known for.
The mansion was completed in 1895 and Mr. Osler chartered a surrey to bring Caroline to her beautiful new mountain retreat. She named their new home "Kiononta" which was Petun Indian phrasing for "Top of the Hill." The locals also came to know the estate as "Deer Park" which they affectionately gave to the home as Mr. Osler raised a small herd of deer on a farm there. Mr. Osler had many grand schemes for the property including stocking the lake with trout, and the construction of two dams, the remains of which can still be seen if carefully searched for.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Osler was unable to enjoy her wonderful new home for very long as she succumbed to illness soon after taking residence. Mr. Osler did remarry, and he did spend several summers in the home before he passed away in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1901.
After this time, the castle sat alone and neglected. Over time, vandals and the elements ate away at the structure. The furnishings were pilfered, the interior woodwork stolen, and even the plumbing fixtures stripped away. The structure was still fully standing in the 1930's, although the interior was now barren and devoid of any of the luxury and opulence that had besot it early in it's life. The remainder of the home was apparently consumed by fire - the exact date not being accurately recollected - and all that remained of this beautiful landmark was the hearty permanence of the stone that encompassed it's once grand interior.
Today that stone still stands as a testament to an enduring romance, and a grave marker to those who gave it life.
I have updated my blog here with some new photos for you. The beautiful new header picture which I absolutely love was given to me by the son of my dear late doctor, Donald McKay. Like myself, Dr. McKay was an avid history buff and also fascinated with our beautiful "castle." Much thanks to Ian McKay and to my father Brian for speaking with him about it and getting me some more wonderful photos. This view is actually rather rare as there seem to be very few images showing the eastern side view of the home.
The second photo is a pen & ink study I did of a rarely seen east side view of the "castle." I have sketched it many times, and hope you enjoy this unique view. Thanks for reading!
