HomeMy WebLinkAbout378"Article taken from the News Advertiser, Aughust 4, 1992, page 12.
The following article is one in a series by the Pickering Local Architectural Conservation
Committee.
By HENRY GAWMAN Special to the News Advertiser
Illustration: Bentley house
PICKERING - The Bentley house stands on the southwest corner of Brock Rd. and Hwy. 7
(Concession 6) in the village of Brougham, part of the Town of Pickering.
The mansion was built by William Bentley in a quieter age — 50 years before the Wright brothers
took to the skies in 1903. The structure remains fixed in time, while mankind advances toward the
stars.
Stars and planets, even the sun, offer no comfort to equal the warm ambiance of the old house.
Imagine 24 windows glowing with a welcoming light, in a universe that offers so little refuge to the
weary.
The house retains its dignity, oblivious to the threatening decree that made it an enemy to
progress. Little did the Wright brothers imagine, as they lifted briefly from the earth,
that the ability to fly would lead to the destruction of farm and village in Pickering.
The house stands quite near the site of a future airport. An international airport for Pickering
was announced in 1972. Vigorous protest helped delay construction. The planners heard,
and hesitated, but have not abandoned the idea.
William Bentley came to Pickering from New York state in 1829. Two brothers,
Nathan and James L., followed later. The intersection of Brock Rd. and Conc. 6 became
known as Bentleys Corners. There, William, his brother James, and brother-in-law Nelson
Woodruff built and operated a medicine factory. A workforce of six or more, mostly women,
was employed. ""Pills, powders and salves"" were distributed far and wide.
Through the forest went the traveling salesman's wagon.
Woodruff, Bentley and Co. saw a need, and filled it. That need was for medicine.
Life was hard for the ordinary people, the hewers of wood and drawers of water.
Every old graveyard bears a mournful record of those who died young. Those who fell ill,
but lived, may have attributed their good fortune to the medicines from Brougham.
The partners prospered.
Prosperous men build palatial homes. The Bentley home outclassed others.
It is not the only fine old home in Pickering. It appears to be the most threatened.
If men had experimented with flying machines near Bentleys Corners,
we can be sure the enterprising William would have been very interested.
To fly over the obstructing forest would have seemed wonderful to him.
The nearest he got to the skies was in the many-windowed belvedere that extends up from the
roof of his high house. He could see the forest from his belvedere, he could envision trees
gone, and farms in their place. Never would he imagine the vast infertility of an airport.
The irregular boundaries of the airport lands encompass 18,000 acres. Some of the land has
been declared surplus, including the Bentley house and its three garden acres.
The fate of the house remains uncertain. The town wishes designation;
the federal government stalls. There should be no doubt that its preservation is worthwhile.
The environment too demands attention.
Brougham Creek intersects a corner of the estate. Even in April the watercourse is completely
dry. We may turn our backs, and fly away to other lands. We may pretend that our future lies on
some other planet. Our real hope lies in the land, the house, and the stream that runs by the
door.
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