As of October 2012, this lovely property has belonged in the same family for 100 years. Since that date in 1912, the property has seen a few transformations and extensive renovations!
The home was re-built completely in the early 1960s and renovated in its entirety over the last several years.
The large eat-in kitchen with the vaulted ceilings is truly spectacular! From the exterior, you enter the room from your west facing veranda through two lovely French Doors. The kitchen features gorgeous kitchen cabinets, breakfast bar, custom lighting as well as lovely ceramic tile flooring. There are lots of windows including two overhead windows in the cathedral ceiling that act as skylights, however without the potential leaking problems of a conventional skylight since they are technically windows. If you have an indoor plant or two that enjoys lots of light, the plants will love the bay window in the kitchen. Or if you have a cat, you can guarantee the cat will live in the bay window!
The family room features a drywall border around the ceiling that appears to be a unique type of crown moulding. In a pinch, this room could easily be converted to a formal dining room. Even though the formal front door adjoins this room, no one ever uses the front door except for special occasions such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas!
This spring enjoy the ambience of your gas fireplace in your spacious living room. This room, like most of the home, has lovely natural oak hardwood floors throughout, except for some beautiful ceramic tile around the gas fireplace and next to the French doors that lead to the rear deck/veranda. There are four-built-in speakers for your surround sound stereo!
This summer, relax on your 400 sq ft+ veranda and watch the sunset over the evergreen trees that make this property so private! Or take a dip in the almost brand new above-ground pool. If you prefer, the pool can be removed prior to closing.
The three main level bedrooms all have ample closet space. For lighting, the second bedroom has custom wall sconces and 2 bright windows. This room is bigger than many master bedrooms. The impeccable main level 4-piece bathroom has ceramic tile flooring.
The grand master bedroom and the master ensuite bathroom are the only two second level rooms. Read a book or watch television in the evening and enjoy the ambience of the gas propane fireplace and the extra spaciousness created by the vaulted ceilings. Or relax in the soaker tub and watch the starry southern skies overlooking the tranquil countryside! There is lots of closet space with wall-to-wall closets with mirrored doors in the oversized ensuite. And if soaking is not your style, jump into the oversized shower! Luxury!
Essentially your new home is a bungalow to enjoy except the master bedroom and ensuite bath is upstairs!
Details and details: All light fixtures have been updated and all interior doors are solid pine. Quality and quality!
If you have extended family come for a visit and need a little more room, they may be excited to stay in your little guest cabin nested in the tall pine trees next to the garage/workshop. The little cottage has power for your fridge or microwave or the wide screen television. If you run out of food, simply loan your guests a fishing rod and they can catch dinner from the pond! Coy! Coy! Coy!
Other features of the 1860 sq ft Main House:
-Large storage basement approximately 6 feet high with approx 3.5 inches of polyurethane on the walls or approximately R-24. Super insulation!
-Cold room/Wine room under living area
Inclusions: All attached light fixtures, all window coverings, all stainless steel kitchen appliances: Maytag built in microwave/range, Maytag built-in oven and cook top stove, Maytag refrigerator with bottom freezer and icemaker, Whirlpool built-in dishwasher (2010), Four-built-in speakers in living room, Built-in shelves on west wall of third bedroom, Electric hot water tank, Lifebreath HRV, Culligan water softener.
Rental items: Propane tanks
Just a few updates in the incredible home:
-200 amp breaker service
-Metal roof-2011
-2011-Home stripped on exterior to studs. Polyeurethane insulation added. New James Hardy siding installed
-New closed loop Geothermal heat pump 2009. The unit heats the home in winter & cools the residence in summer. New ducts in basement.
-Kitchen renovation 2006
-Natural oak hardwood or ceramic tile
-Windows installed approx. 2002
Main Level-flooring is hardwood and ceramic tile
Kitchen/Dining room combo: 22’6” x 15’5”
Living Room: 16’7” x 13’2”
Family Room:11’6” x 15’
Bedroom #2:11’5” x 13’1”
Bedroom #3: 11’6” x 9’6”
Bedroom #4: 9’1” x 9’6”
Main Bathroom -4 pc: 7’10” x 5’
Second Level-flooring is hardwood and ceramic tile-these are the ONLY two second storey rooms.
Master Bedroom: 21’6” x 13’5”
Master Ensuite: 11’2” x 9’2” (Technically a 5 pc bath)
80 x 33 ft., 2640 sq ft Garage/Workshop/Office
-Metal siding and metal roof
-Insulated walls and ceilings
-4 garage doors: 10 x 9 ft, 10 x 12 ft, 10 x 12 ft, 12 x 14 ft
-4 automatic garage door openers
-100 amp breaker service
-Storage loft (adds even more square footage in addition to the 2640 sq ft main level)
-Work bay at east end of building
-Office
-3-piece washroom with shower
-New 95% efficient gas propane furnace November 2012
Property Taxes 2012: $3294.00
Roll Number: 050600600563000
Legal Description: Con 2 Pt Lt 31 DR87241 Matilda; South Dundas
Overall Lot Size: 622’ (frontage) x 365’ (depth) 5.21 acres
Zoning: Residential.
Heating system for main house: Closed loop Geothermal
Annual hydro cost: $3400 including workshop/garage
Annual propane cost: $350 approx. (gas fireplaces in living room and master bedroom
for ambience only-and of course the gas bbq for your summer and winter culinary masterpieces)
Heating system for workshop: Propane.
Annual oil heating cost for workshop: $1600 (This cost could will surely be reduced with the new modern hi-efficiency propane furnace that was installed this past December to replace the old oil furnace)
Welcome to a truly fantastic place!
THE HISTORY OF SOUTH DUNDAS
The county of South Dundas was named in 1792 to honour Henry Dundas, who was Lord Advocate for Scotland and Colonial Secretary at the time. Matilda and Williamsburgh were two of Upper Canada's original eight Royal Townships. The northern portions of Matilda and Williamsburg townships were separated in
1798 to form the new townships of Mountain and Winchester within Dundas County.
James Pliny Whitney, Ontario's sixth premier, is buried in the cemetery of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Riverside Heights, just east of Morrisburg and north of County Road 2 (formerly Highway 2). Whitney was born in Williamsburg in 1843, represented Dundas County in the Legislature from 1888 to 1914 and served as Premier from 1905 to 1914.
THE FAMOUS FOOT DOCTOR OF WILLIAMSBURG, ONTARIO
Dr. Mahlon W. Locke was a Canadian physician who attracted international attention in the 1930s with an unusual therapy.Through a process of foot manipulation, popularly known as "toe-twisting," Locke seemed able to relieve many intractable cases of arthritis as well as a variety of related
afflictions such as rheumatism, sciatica and neuritis. Sufferers flocked
to his clinic in Williamsburg and, at the height of his fame, he was tending up to 1,000 patients a day! Locke's treatments, consisting solely of manipulation of the feet, lasted about 20 seconds each
and cost $1 a visit to those who could afford it. Locke placed a swivel
chair in a small side yard outside his office where patients lined up waiting their turn to sit in front of him. Locke would twist their feet, crack the joints, collects $1 and call "Next!"
Threatening to build his own hotel if they raised their rates, hotels in & near Williamsburg charged only $1 a day for a room. Needless to say, the hotels were always packed full of cripples hobbling about, testifying that they were bed ridden until Healer Locke treated their feet.
REFERENCES:
MORRISBURG HISTORY
Welcome to the village of Morrisburg, the only Canadian community on the St. Lawrence River between Cardinal and Cornwall not completely relocated by the construction of the Seaway in the late 1950's. The entire original main street and business district was leveled and a new shopping centre, one of the first in Canada, was opened in 1957. The former east end of the village which included the downtown was transformed into a waterfront park, but many of the village's original homes and the churches survived in their original settings.
This picturesque village along the shores of the St. Lawrence river started in it's early history as West Williamsburg, Canada West. In 1838 a commission was established to look into improving navigation on the St. Lawrence River. Sir James Morris, as a commissioner, was instrumental in promoting and financing the construction of the Williamsburg Canals on the St. Lawrence River. The canals were built between 1844-1856 on the north side of the St.Lawrence River to form part of the Great Lakes Navigation System. The construction of the Williamsburg canals along the front of Dundas County set into place all the necessary elements to encourage the development of West Williamsburg. As a result, a town did begin to literally grow out of farmers fields which stretched back from the newly completed canal.
Benjamin Chaffey was the first to see the advantages of the canal construction and erected a gris mill along what was to become Morrisburg's waterfront. The little village continued to grow over the boom years of the 1850's adding a carding mill erected by Austin Doran, a fanning mill factory established by McKenzie and two wharfs owned by Captain Farlinger and I.N. Rose respectively.
In 1851 the town had adopted the name of "Morrisburgh". This name was chosen to honour
Sir James Morris, who was instrumental in promoting and financing the construction of the Williamsburg Canals on the St. Lawrence River. Sir James was also the first Post Master General of Canada. The expansion of the village was helped along by the arrival of the Grand Trunk Rail Road in 1855. Morrisburg was incorporated as a village in 1860.
The 1870's brought exceptional growth and many of the large fine homes that can be seen today throughout the village were built during this time. It was at this time that Morrisburg was designated the "Village of Pretty and Stately Homes" (J. Smyth Carter “The Story of Dundas”, 1904). The main street saw the addition of the Farlinger Block, the Meikle Block, the Music Hall and many other fine buildings. The town developed an excellent merchant and market atmosphere which attracted two banks, The Molson's Bank (1872) and the Bank of Ottawa. So renowned were the markets of Morrisburg that farmers from as far away as Finch brought their wagons of grain and butter to be auctioned to the highest bidder.
The arrival of the 20th century saw the installation of the hydro electric plant in 1901 at a cost of $35,000. The depression years were cushioned by the Dr. Locke phenomenon in Williamsburg. During this period, Morrisburg played host to thousands of visitors and patients of Dr. Locke. This led to the establishment of several tourist homes such as "The Falcon", "The Ship's Mate", "The George Frederick", "The Cardinal" and the "Rosedale" just to name a few. These tourist homes continued to operated up until the time of the Seaway Project, with the exception of the Rosedale all of these building are still standing today.
THE NAMING OF MORRISBURG
In 1850 postal affairs were transferred from London, England to the United Province of Canada. The Province of Canada passed the “Post Office Act” the same year. Sir James Morris was named the first Postmaster-General of Canada on February 22, 1851. Under his direction postal rates were reduced from 16 cents to 5 cents and postal services were greatly expanded and many towns received official post offices. In 1851 when West Williamsburg was granted a post office under the new Act the residents and officials renamed the settlement “Morrisburgh” in honour of Sir James Morris. This compliment to the Honourable gentleman was in recognition of all of his efforts (the construction of the canals) which allowed the village to become established and to grow. Morrisburg’s first Postmaster under the new “Post Office Act” was H.G. Stearns.
Morrisburg was incorporated as a village in 1860. In 1864, Sir James Morris gifted the sum of $100.00 to the village in appreciation of the honour paid to him. The gift was to be used to procure a town clock or a bell. A bell was purchased and placed above the public school which also served as the meeting place for council. This bell remained above the public school until the Seaway Project at which time it was removed and placed into storage. The bell was then presented to Morrisburg Public School by the Women’s Institute and was displayed at the school’s entrance until 1992. In 1992, the village of Morrisburg erected a clock tower in the shopping plaza. The bell was relocated from Morrisburg Public School into the clock tower at that time. This final move completed a process that had begun 128 years earlier.
JUST A FEW ATTRACTIONS
Several buildings from the Lost Villages were moved to a site near Morrisburg to create
Upper Canada Village, a
living museum which depicts
19th century life in
Upper Canada. Touring Upper Canada Village is a magical experience, transporting you back in time to the 1860s. A key part of the experience is the authentic buildings that make up the village, the activities that each housed, and of course, the people who lived there.
Now in its 24th year of operation, PREHOSTORIC WORLD is a tourist attraction in which full-size reproductions of prehistoric animals are displayed in a realistic natural setting.
Prehistoric World features over 50 exhibits and owner/builders Paul and Serge Dupuis are adding more on a continuing basis. With an emphasis on the scientific accuracy of the touchable concrete sculptures, Prehistoric World is as educational as it is awesome!
