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HomeMy WebLinkAbout594"News Advertiser, March 20/94, p.5 British Arms landmark in hamlet of Greenwood Submitted by Pickering LACAC Special to the News Advertiser ' “You take the high road, and I'll take the low road"" The British Arms Inn stands at the corner of Greenwood Rd., which is the low road, and Paddock Rd., which is the high road. The first follows the contours of the valley south and the other was once part of the main highway. The Inn was the second coach stop between Toronto and Peterborough. When coaches departed the Inn to travel east they indeed took the high road. The horses had to climb a hill that is steep now and was steeper then. In the spring of 1866, the Greenwood militia marched past the Inn, and down the low road. They were off to Fort Erie to fight Fenian invaders. About 800 Fenians from the United States had crossed the Niagara River with the intention of conquering Canada. They were an Irish American brotherhood, a secret society. They were defeated near Fort Erie, and stopped at other places along the border. Among the notable Pickering men who faced them were three members of the Green Family. What's in a name? The name Frederick Green meant quality. He was so admired and respected that the village name was changed from Norwood to Greenwood. In 1869 a man named Owen Doyle was the proprietor of the British Arms. A series of owners followed, until Norah Stoner, former Ajax and Pickering MPP bought the house. Men only, please The old bar room door is still part of the facade of the north wall. Behind the door is solid wall. Inside is a low spot in the original pine floor, where the boots of the male guests were stomped upon entering. No ladies were allowed in there, or in any other bar of the day. Money was scarce, but whiskey was plenty Whiskey was 25 cents a gallon. How much that translated into per glass is uncertain. The amount might seem trivial today, but sufficient revenue was generated from taxes on alcohol to fund Canada's growth as a nation. Little did the patrons of the bar realize just how indispensable their vice was. ""The face on the bar-room floor"" There is no face on the bar-room floor. The original floor has been brought to a fine lustre. No tormented soul is reflected there, as in the old poem. The walls too have been laboriously cleaned of other coverings. Much has been done to make the Inn as it was. Even the coat-of-arms, which once hung over the bar, and inscribed with Latin text, is the centre piece of the living room. I'll blow your house down The Inn has withstood the test of time, because it was built to last. It may look fragile, but the centre core of the exterior walls is rubble -stone. Fastened to the stone are wide, pine planks from the original forest trees. And then the clapboard was put on. Inside is lath and plaster and wainscotting. No big wind will ever move this building. Decline and fall At the height of its prosperity, Greenwood had at least 16 businesses, each depending on the other. There were three hotels. Greenwood declined in importance because of its location, because the great trees were gone, and because improved transportation made other centres more convenient to conduct business. The village never fell, it simply got quieter and quieter. " "This Magnificent Historic Residence ... Could Be Your Next Home " """An incomparable property, like a great novel or painting can embrace the spirit of an entire era."" Style & Construction The Gothic Revival style features a symmetrical gable with an elliptical window above the front door. This style was typical of rural architecture in Ontario in the 1800's. The exterior walls of the building were constructed using the ""rubble fill"" method whereby stone and concrete is contained between large pine planks. The exterior planks are covered with wooden clapboard siding and lath & plaster on the interior. Accommodation This historic home offers approximately 2,400 square feet of living space which artfully combines its original characteristics such as pine floors, wainscotting and trim with modern living. The classic front door, with sidelights, leads to the centre hall and open staircase. A spacious formal dining room which greets you off the front hall displays the restored inn sign. The distinctive corner fireplace in the living room establishes a warm relaxing atmosphere and double French doors lead to the large deck overlooking an expansive rear yard. The family room, as currently used, provides an ideal setting to display crafts, antiques, etc. The country kitchen gives an aura of the past with pine cabinets and integrates modern features such as a built-in dishwasher with the ambiance of an antique wood stove. A powder room off the rear entrance exemplifies the integration of modern conveniences. Up the bridged stairway, the master bedroom boasts a dressing room and ample closet space. The full bath also contains a laundry compartment for a washer and dryer. Three other good-sized bedrooms and a study loft with gothic window, complete the upper level. Special Features • Sidelights around front entrance • Original gothic window in front gable • French doors from living room to large rear deck -14 X 40 feet with railing and lattice screen • Mellowed pine floors, wainscotting, high baseboards, float glass • Updated country kitchen with pine cupboards, pantry and antique wood stove • 4 bedrooms plus a sitting room off the master, ideal for nursery, office or library • Spacious central hall with open staircase to the ""bridged"" upper level • Zoning The ""Village"" zoning permits combined residential and commercial uses. In addition to the ""protected"" residential component, there is potential for commercial applications such as Bed & Breakfast, crafts, antiques, or speciality shop. History The British Arms Inn was built circa 1860. It was the second coach stop on the main road between Toronto and Peterborough. The King's Highway passed through the village at one time but was eventually reconstructed to the north because of the steepness of Greenwood Hill. The dining room was originally the bar room and it had its own exterior door on the north side of the building. The Inn brewed its own beer, using hops grown on the property and its spring water. The kitchen had a large wood stove for cooking and heating. A second wood stove was used for heating the east side of the house. Stove pipes ran through the rooms on route to the chimneys to provide heat. Many of the double-glazed windows contain the original wavy glass. The family room was a public room used for dining and meetings. Ladies were welcome in this room but not allowed in the bar room. The living room was probably the family parlour. The upstairs den was originally two small bedrooms which would have been used by travelling couples or families or women travelling alone - very rare in those days. The master bedroom was used for men and would have contained a number of beds - as many as they could fit in. The present owners have resided in the property since 1967 and have improved and maintained it in keeping with its rich heritage. Specifications • The lot is irregular in shape with 140 feet fronting on Concession Road 6 and 145 feet on Greenwood Road• Over 1/2 an acre in area • Drilled well, 77 feet deep • Septic system certified for seven residents • Dettson high efficiency, oil fired circulating hot water heating system installed in 1989 • Updated plumbing and wiring • Approximately 2400 square feet of living space • Four bedrooms + Library • 1.5 bathrooms Included are period light fixtures and chandeliers, exterior inn sign, antique wood stove, window coverings & shutters, fire and security systems • Taxes in 1993 were $2,128.50 Price & Terms This historic property is offered at $329,000. New financing can be arranged at the current low interest rates. A late spring possession date is preferred but can be arranged to meet the purchasers' requirements. If you would like more information or wish to view this fine home ... Please call Joanne or Fraser Beach at (905) 686-2141 " "Neighbourhood The property is located just off Hwy # 7 across from the Pickering Heritage Museum. Along Greenwood Road, to the south, is an area of 2 acre estate properties. The village provides an ideal environment to raise a family. In the immediate area are located • Duffins Creek • Valleyview Elementary School • Library • Greenwood United Church • Greenwood Recreation Centre with tennis courts, baseball diamond, hockey rink, playground etc. • Extensive Conservation Areas for hiking, cross country skiing etc. It is approximately 5 minutes from Ajax/Pickering and 15 minutes from Markham/Unionville. Proudly presented by: Fraser Beach FRI CRB Broker Select/Plan Real Estate Inc. Realtor 67 Old Kingston Road, Pickering Village, Ajax LIT 3A5 (905) 686-2141 Location "