Photo from 1973
Deep in Lanark County, in the township of Dalhousie, Pollock and Dora McDougall’s rose garden was the talk of the area. Located a hop, skip , and a jump near Wilson’s Corners 100’s of tourists used to visit this rose garden each year.
Local history dictates that owner Pollock McDougall was born right on this property which was originally a crown grant to original settler Ned Conroy that are buried in the family plot on the farm. Pollock’s Dad bought the property in 1886 and it consisted of over 100 acres.
In 1893 the family was stricken with Diphtheria that was being going around Lanark County and a child was lost. William McDougall saw fit to burn down the original home down after that. After exorcising the evil spirits he thought caused the Diphtheria he built a large new clapboard home and painted it yellow. In 1921 Pollock raised a band new home for his new bride Dora White of Poland, Ontario.
Stories are abound about this area and how settlers walked all that way from Perth with their meagre belongings strapped to their back. There were three main families who settled in this are first: the Conroys, Eastons, and Shields. When the McDougalls retired from farming that was when their first cluster of Red Wonder Roses were planted and they never looked back.
In 1973 there were 415 rose bushes and he decided to specialize in Peace Roses and all were said to be of exhibition quality. There was no doubt that Pollock was proud of his roses and boasted about how many tourists from ‘out of the country’ they used to get. With his still Scottish “burr” it was assumed that there was never anything more impressive than a Scotsman and his roses as he would never be bothered by your thorns no matter what your temperament was.
Arnold Horne You would be looking for Watsons Corners (Ottawa Journal had a typo) off 511 , turn right onto County Road 8 to get there! In Watsons Corners , turn right & follow that road to Sugar Bush Way! Then turn left at Sugar Bush Way & follow that road to where you will come to a crossroad the says Ladore road! Go straight ahead ! Windy road & you will pass a marshy area! The place that used to have all these roses is at the top of hill on right & used to be the Pollack McDougall’s! Now Kevin McLean property! No Roses there now! Hope this helps!
Taylor Lake is a small lake connected to Clayton Lake. To get there, go west from Union Hall (junction of County Roads 9&16) three kms to Lanark Conc. 12. Turn north to the end of this road (about 11/2 km) to the end of the road at the lake. Launch your canoe at the small boat launch and circumnavigate the lake. Watch out for stumps in the bays. This lake was raised considerably two decades ago, with the reconstruction of the dam at Clayton. On the first point to your left as you launch, you can see a path of downed, dead trees, which were felled by a tornado a few years ago. Directly in a line across the lake from the boat launch is a road leaving the shore. Connecting these two points was a famous floating bridge. It was wiped out by hurricane Connie in 1964 and many of the logs can be seen on the bottom on the lake. There are several places to stop to have lunch (with permission of property owners).
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)
Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.
Join us and learn about the history under your feet! This year’s St. James Cemetery Walk will take place Thursday October 19th and october 21– Museum Curator Jennfer Irwin will lead you through the gravestones and introduce you to some of our most memorable lost souls!
Be ready for a few surprises along the way….
This walk takes place in the dark on uneven ground. Please wear proper footwear and bring a small flashlight if you like.
Tickets available at the Museum, 267 Edmund Street. Two dates!!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1211329495678960/
OCT 28th
Downtown Carleton Place Halloween Trick or Treat Day–https://www.facebook.com/events/489742168060479/
Here we go Carleton Place– Mark Your Calendars–
October 28th The Occomores Valley Grante and Tile Event–730pm-1am Carleton Place arena-Stop by and pick up your tickets for our fundraiser dance for LAWS. They also have tickets for Hometown Hearts event at the Grand Hotel fundraiser
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