Lunchtime wanderings

I love working alone in a big old stone building all day. But do I start to talk to myself, and ask myself questions (out loud) and so I try to get out for a walk at lunch everyday! I'm working on the "north side" of town, but live on the "south" side of town, so I'm discovering new things...

A renovation that shows a bit of the building's history...



A beautiful, unique home having it's crazy roof held in place while the porch is rebuilt..




A neat old fence post finishing off a wall of stone...



A great old two story back porch...



...and this interesting row of bricks, set on an angle, where the wall meets the foundation. I like it!

Franktown Road

The big old red brick home up on a hill always caught my eye as I drove along Franktown Road. I don't know it's history - it's been a rental for many years. Last month this big sign was installed in the front yard: MOVE IT! SALVAGE IT! DEMOLISH IT!...as if they are all exciting options.

I know who owns the house. I know the plan - a huge number of townhouses squashed onto the lot - I know I can't move it or salvage it and I know I don't want it demolished.
It looks very solid. Has two staircases. Original trim, including a gorgeous newel post and a fancy spandrel in the parlour...

It has the curved window tops and the carved limestone lintels that Carleton Place is famous for.


The brickwork seems in good shape, and it has it's old hand pump in the backyard.

Who's going to save it?

The Parsonage House

Another of Carleton Place's beautiful old homes is slowly dying. This pretty yellow frame house is on the north end of Bridge Street. It's been empty for many years, caught up in a war over Heritage Designation. It was originally the parsonage house for the Methodist Church across the street.


Peeking down the side of the house, you can see what were probably the original shutters...


The trim is so pretty, but every time I drive by, another chunk is gone...


The railing on the upper porch is almost entirely gone now.


Quite a bit of the original fence is still there though...


And the old coach house...


And above the front door the beautiful stained glass transom, proudly declaring it's title!

Something Missing

This is a little park area between our Town Hall (on the left) and our Youth Centre (on the right). It has a fountain, benches, and a few historical plaques along the river. To get the whole space in the photo I had to set myself up in a parking lot, so excuse the dumpster!

While filing at the museum I came across these photos of the same space from the early 1980's. It blew me away. I had no idea two houses (one gigantic...) used to be there. No idea. Were they there before the Town Hall was built? Who would allow two building to be built so close to each other in the first place? And why aren't they there anymore????

I know I've shown photos of the Bates and Innes Mill before, but here it is again. So pretty. And still for rent, most of it...



I found this old advertisement on ebay:



Isn't it great? I'm not sure what he's doing with that rope while dressed only in his long-johns, but I do love the image!!

Oh! And here's a finished view of the house in "Progress" from 20 October, 2009 (I can't figure out this "link" thing). Not beautiful or inspired, but finished. More than I can say!

St. James Cemetery

St. James Cemetery is on the 8th Line of Ramsay Township, just north of town. It dates back to about 1834, the date of the founding of the Parish.



I've always liked the steps leading you over the fence. It's fun to climb over. Not sure if you are supposed to have fun in a cemetery, but oh well!


This cemetery was founded on what is known as "Clergy Lands." This was land granted to Protestant Churches under the 1791 Constitution. Eventually, the granting of these lands became a political issue and the lands reverted to the Crown. In 1856 the parish of St. James purchased the land for 100 pounds. For many years, the land supplied the wood for heating the Church and Rectory.



The vault above was constructed in 1903, and for many years it was used by all the denominations in town, being a place to store your dearly departed until the spring thaw....

Forgotten on Franktown Road

Driving north along Franktown Road, just coming into town, I pass this empty, abandoned house. I admit, empty, abandoned houses always catch my eye....but this one did for another reason.....


It has a second, empty, abandoned house attached to it at the back! This house in the rear appears older, more typical to the area. Very much like our house.



Driving around the corner gives another view...


It certainly is empty. Can anyone fill me on this house's history??