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Branningham Grove |
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Branningham Grove is the name of a Victorian farm residence that was built in 1881 in the former Sydenham Township area eastwards of Owen Sound. It was at Range? or Concession? ___, Lot ___. In its later years, as Owen Sound expanded and annexed land, the site became known as 2010 16th Street East. In October, 2016, the 135-year-old building, owned by 819743 Ontario Inc., was demolished. The building was listed on the city's register of properties of heritage value or interest, but it had been vacant and falling into disrepair for a long time (1997+). Commercial development on the east side has changed the appearance of the area, which was once farmland, with a couple nearby businesses such as Hatton's Hall (also demolished), a quarry, a C.P.R. track, and Bothwell's Hotel. Some of the 1880s brick structures in the area were built by John Middlebro' (Mason) of Owen Sound. Did he also do the brickwork of Branningham Grove? The roadway known as St. Vincent Street (later called Highway 26) was a route to Meaford. Branningham Grove was on the north side of the roadway. There used to be a boardwalk from Owen Sound to the area. It was located on the south side of the highway, connecting Hatton's Hall to town. It was there until circa 19__. The first owner of Branningham Grove was the Walter and Mary Holmes family. It was modelled after their house in England. The builder was ___________. There were red brick and buff (yellow) bricks used in its construction, as well as limestone sills. The foundation had split-faced granite and limestone. The two and a half storey building had a belcast roof over the front bay window, an exterior cornice, and wooden sash windows, attic dormers, ___ fireplaces, and staircases. From 1907 to 1915, the building was used as a summer brothel by Margaret Matthews. She was usually known as "Mag" Matthews. The house was sometimes referred to as "The Tin Roof". Dennis Hatton had purchased the house from Agnes Palmour in 19__. The Cecil G. Toms family owned the property from 1940 to 1974. The Toms had purchased the farm from the Estate of Dennis Hatton for $4,800. They were the third owners of the house after Margaret Matthews had it. Violet Toms tended a large vegetable garden there, and there also was a big steel barn on the property. The Toms family lived there for 35 years. They had a small fieldstone cottage added to the property in the early 1940s, and the Toms family, over the years, sponsored three or four Dutch families, and one German family, who resided in the cottage. The eldest of the three Toms siblings, Dave Toms, resided at the cottage from 1960-1966. Cecil and Violet decided to move to Owen Sound in 1974. They sold the property to Lillian Weaver. A few years later, she sold it to the Gavaris family, who operated a restaurant there, Louis' Steak House (a fine dining restaurant) from 19__ to 19___. (1997?) The building was left vacant for a long time, and became run-down and vandalized. - - - Sources: Langlois, Denis, "Demolition OK Sought: City Has Again Received Notice That Owners Want to Tear Down Branningham Grove", THE SUN TIMES (Owen Sound), Sat. July 26, 2016, p. A1 and A3 "Way Clear for Demolition", THE SUN-TIMES (Owen Sound), Tues., July 26, 2016, pp. A1 and A3 Langlois, Denis, "Shining A Light On The Past: Family Wants to Show Branningham Grove was more than just a brothel", THE SUN-TIMES, pp. A1 and A3 Gowan, Rob, "Branningham Grove Coming Down", THE SUN-TIMES, p. A1-A2 |
