The present Drake family home on Lake Ave East in Carleton Place
This wood frame home cuts an elegant figure along Lake Avenue East. Built in 1896 by James Watt, and it has been a town landmark for many years. In 1897 on the town Carleton Place assessment role, the property was listed as owned by James Watt (JR) age 26, a carpenter. He came from a family of 14 children and was named after his father who was also a carpenter. James father, James Sr., was among the 2700 Scots who participated in the New Lanark Emigration of 1820-1821.
The value of the vacant lot in 1897 was $200. In 1898, it showed that James also owned 1/2 acre on the same corner, but part of it was lots 8 and 15, which do not exist on that particular corner. If a home was to be built on said property it would be assessed as $1000 in 1898.
No date but I’d say early 1900’s.
2015
Some people will remember there was once a kindergarten in the rear of the home run by Norma Cullen. William and Mary Ford paid a visit to Barbara Drake and told her the kindergarten room became a bedroom later on and still had the alphabet around the room.
The current owners, the Drake family, purchased the home in 1986 and have put on an addition and completely renovated the kitchen.
Photos and info from the files of the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum.
Buy Linda Secaspina’s Books— Flashbacks of Little Miss Flash Cadilac– Tilting the Kilt-Vintage Whispers of Carleton Place and 4 others on Amazon or Amazon Canada or Wisteria at 62 Bridge Street in Carleton Place
lindaseccaspina 
Interestingly, the house at the north east corner of Queen and Munro, formerly owned by Lloyd McFarlane, was built on the same floor plan…
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Greetings: I am researching 154 Lake Ave. East, Carleton Place, where my husband Bill Quinn was raised. The home was sold about 1986. The Quinns (William Edward and Dorothy) purchased the home in 1957 from the widow Mary “Ethel” Dowsett Hill (wife of Fred). The Hill’s had purchased from the widow of Starr Easton Stewart (Elizabeth Jane Warren) in 1905. Starr Stewart appears to be the first who lived in the home as of 1896 but I’m trying to determine who actually built the home. The land registry gets a bit tricky as there is another Elizabeth J Stewart (nee Corley? wife of Duncan) listed. There is however, James Watt (selling land? to Starr) also listed in 1896 and as he built the home across the street (155 Lake Ave), I’m wondering if he also built 154. There are quite a few similar bits of architecture in the gingerbread and scalloped siding.
Of interest, William Quinn Sr. built a massive replica doll house for our daughter in 1985 with the help of his neighbour Mr. Fred McTavish. Of course the McTavish family is featured prominently in the area also.
Any help appreciated as we live in B.C. so difficult to access info.
Thanks, Dianne Quinn
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