LindaSaw some posts that referred to horses and another of some Wylies. Not sure if there is any connection, but there was a riding area (mostly for kids) at the Wylie property (I think) at the junction of hwys 7and 15/29. I believe the photos would be from the 62/63 era. Third photo: could be Cecil Hicks property in the background? –Larry Clark
Larry Clark
This is from when Doug Wylie’s mom had Hazwill Pony Club.. Doug in saddle..
Linda Gallipeau-Johnston First time I was on a horse was with Doug.Valerie Edwards That is not Big Sue is it? & there was another horse with a buzzcut mane?Beverley J Wylie Yes that is Sue. Have to jog my memory for buzzcut mane..maybe Butch or Stormie…will get back to you..
Although built for James Dowdall, a local lawyer, it is known as the Wylie House, after its second owner, John Wylie, a wealthy mill owner, and it remained in the Wylie family for 63 years. In 1950, it became the Almonte Armouries, and during the Cold War, it became the Emergency Measures Organization Target Area Headquarters for Lanark County, complete with bomb shelter. Built of rectangular limestone blocks, it features carved quoins, a polychromatic slate roof with intricate moulding at perimeter base.
One of Almonte’s star attractions is an imposing limestone house by the Mississippi River that once housed a bomb shelter. It’s the home of Jim and Mary Hugessen, who were fresh from a morning’s horseback ride the day I arrived for a visit. The Hugessen house is one of six homes on an historic house tour in the Almonte area tomorrow. On first approach, the two- storey house is austere with its grey stone, brown shutters, sub- stantial chimneys and an obvious emphasis on vertical lines. It’s not until I sit on a sunny deck with Mr. Hugessen that we discuss the most delightful aspects of the house: its southern exposure and tie with the river.
With tall ground-floor windows, the house breathes light on a sunny day. “When I first saw this house (from Almonte’s Maclan Bridge), I took one look at it and said I want it,” recalls Mr. Hugessen, a Federal Court of Canada judge. “The house is good looking and located as it’s right on the river, it’s a very nice place to live.”
Despite the building’s good bones and elegant patterned slate roof, the couple carried out major changes during the five months before moving into the home in October 1990. “I wanted a house that was workable,” explains Mrs. Hugessen, chair of the Almonte General Hospital. “For example, there were two entries into the living room, and we blocked up one and widened the one opposite a bay window.” Architect Julian Smith offered advice on keeping alterations in line with the building’s character. Ash floors on the first floor and painted softwood floors on the second were uncovered when green linoleum was lifted. Old photos were key guides when the couple had new decks built. The kitchen was renovated, a garage added and two small bedrooms were combined to create a good-sized master bedroom. Hot water radiators were ripped out and a forced-air gas heating system was installed. ( Author’s note– wish we had done that to ours LOL)
Gerry Wheatley, a former owner of the house during the 1970s and ’80s, says the house was built in 1882 by James Dowdall, an Almonte lawyer. After a few years, John Wylie bought it. The house stayed in the Wylie family for 63 years, and after the Second World War the building was a Department of Defence militia head- quarters known as the Almonte Armouries.
Then, during the Cold War of the 1950s, the house was an emergency post in the event of a nuclear attack, he says. The basement became a bomb shelter. The back yard held a 30-metre microwave tower, and a standby diesel-electric unit was on hand should the power go out, says Mr. Wheatley. Then, it was thought “you could survive a nuclear attack by going and sitting in a bunker,” explains Mr. Hugessen. “After it was over, you’d come out and go home, pick up the mail and go down to the grocery store.”
After the Diefenbunker was built in Carp in the early 1960s, the federal government deemed an historical cachet, but a pervasive feeling of a life well lived. The home has a remarkable grand staircase rising from the front hallway, high ceilings and relaxing river views. Today, the old bunker is a storage area lined with cedar boards, and visitors linger in a casual kitchen or on a generous deck above the Mississippi. The goveernment sold the Almonte house, says Mr. Wheatley. He and his wife Anne bought it in the late ’60s.
Author’s Note-
Following the end of the Cold War, most of the Diefenbunkers were decommissioned, including CFS Carp and the Richardson Detachment in 1994. Communications functions were taken over by CFS Leitrim outside of Ottawa. The detachments at Richardson, Dunrobin and Almonte were all abandoned.
November 7, 2011 · The Wylie House was certainly an early favourite. The problem is there are 2 Wylie houses already popularized including one that is a bed and breakfast designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wylie hasn’t been ruled out but there is much to consider. Also, the Menzies House across the street has a room named after the Wylie family
Wylie House, built 1883, 81 Queen St. #Almonte ON Although built by James Dowdall, a local lawyer, it is known as the Wylie House, after its second owner, John Wylie, a wealthy mill owner, who bought it in 1887. The house remained in the Wylie family for 63 years. In 1893, John’s son, James Wylie and his partner Daniel Shaw, founded the Almonte Blanket Mill, a firm housed in the former Victoria Woolen Mill. In 1950, it became the Almonte Armouries, and during the Cold War, it became the Emergency Measures Organization Target Area Headquarters for Lanark County, complete with bomb shelter in the basement. Built of rectangular limestone blocks, it features carved quoins, massive chimneys, a polychromatic slate roof with intricate moulding at perimeter base and Italianate-style brackets & porch. Judge James Hugessen (Order of Canada recipient) and Mary Hugesson owned this home before selling it to current owner, Rob Prior, who transformed it into the lovely Almonte Riverside Boutique Inn. The heritage building is now also home to the Almonte Lobby Bar – one of the best places to relax, eat and have fun in our town. Thanks to owners Angie & Hunter (also chef) #DestinationAlmonte#Heritage#LocalMatters
I have an interest in reading about the Almonte Flour Mill, particularly going back to the time Edward Mitcheson founded and owned the grist mill. Mitcheson was the founder of the north side of Almonte known at that time as Victoria. Edwards widow, Rachel, owned my house on Thomas St in 1870 and probably prior to that, but records are hard to find prior to the 1870 amalgamation of present day Almonte. From my research it appears that following Edward’s death in 1856 is the same time frame that James Rosamond moved from Carleton Place to Almonte. James lived in the same house until his death, he was in his 90’s. Through my research I’ve not been able to precisely say where James took up residence in Almonte, but I believe it might be the same residence of Edward and his widow Rachel, and could possibly be the mansion facing the flour mill on Main St., which also backs on Peterson St beside Canadian Hydro Components. Going from memory of what I’ve found online, I can add the following: Wilkinson St off Union St N is the maiden name of Rachel and the street turns on to Mitcheson Street. Edward Mitcheson owned the land that surrounds Union St N. Edward and Rachel are buried in the old cemetery near Ace Hardware on County rd 29. Rachel moved to Manitoba to live with her daughter following Edward’s death. In 1847 the Mitcheson’s lost a *3 year old son in a tragic death at the grist mill. The front door of my house on Thomas St faces the (now) rail trail, most likely because prior to rail usage, it was a street–which dates my house prior to 1860. Lastly, I would like to know if there is any documentation of where the residence of either Edward or James is located. —From Kathy McAuley
I could not find much — but I am going to keep looking.
#6- T and J Mitcheson from Almonte went bankrupt and their cases were taken over by a Brockville firm (sons?)
A three storey flour mill built on the east side of the upper falls in the 1840s by Edward Mitcheson was bought some few years later by J. B. Wylie, and James H. Wylie. The Hon. James Wylie’s eldest son, William G. Wylie, a magistrate and township treasurer, had died at Havana in 1851 on his way to the California gold fields.
*Perth Courier.. November 23, 1847 – A boy named Isaac Mitcheson, son of Edward Mitcheson, proprietor of the new Mills in Ramsayville, approached too near an iron shaft in the third flat of the mills, which caught hold of his clothes and knocked him violently against some posts that stood near causing almost instant death. The boy was three years and six months old.
Rachel Wilkinson was brought up by Robert Mansell and his wife Susannah. Land for the cemetery on Hwy 2 was donated by Robert Mansell. Story is that Wilkinsoon parents died on board ship from England(1820) and that they brought Rachel to Ramsay. Robert Mansell left Rachel then Mrs Michteson, a beqeust in his will.
This is not the photo of the mill that burned. This is the mill on Water Street. The mill that burned in this story was at the bottom of Mill Street, approximately where the Brian Gallagher Power station is today.
A full report of the burning of Wylie’s Mill was in the Free Press of Tuesday eve, which was published about one hour after the fire occurred. Shortly after supper time Almonte people were reading an account in an Ottawa paper of a fire they had witnessed that afternoon about four hours before. Such enterprise deserves recognition and is another proof of the sincerity of the press in being determined to supply the world with reliable news of passing events as soon as it possibly can be done.
At the usual hour the operatives of Wylie’s mill- stopped the dinner hour, and could not have been more than comfortably seated at their meal when the fire alarm aroused them. In short, rounded by hundreds of people, the smoke was so dense that very few dared to enter the mill, as a consequence very little stock was rescued from the flames. It was a dangerous undertaking for any outfit to have risked themselves in the mill at any length of time, even ten minutes after the alarm was first sounded.
The smoke became too thick and every now and again hid the burning building completely from view. The fire engine arrived quickly but there was difficulty getting a place for it to work. They used a hose from Baird’s hydrant, and another from Rosamond’s machine shop was brought into play and did good work. They were all too late, however, for in short time the top three stories were a mass of flames and any endeavours to aid the building were useless.
The firemen acted very wisely in turning their attention to confining the fire to the one building and protecting others around it. It seemed almost certain at one time that the building occupied by Mr. John O’Reilly would catch and that gentleman commenced moving out his valuables. The little wooden buildings surrounding it appeared ready to catch at any moment, and but for the careful watching of those who got on the roofs and kept them continually covered with snow, or they assuredly would have been destroyed. As the building burned from the top the danger from the fire spreading was soon over and all the hoses were turned again on the building.
By this change the boiler room and contents were saved. Besides this it was the only thing of any value that was saved was the safe. The building being all wooden and dry burned very fast, and in three hours was almost level with the ground. It is supposed that the fire originated by a nail running into a picker with the wool and by striking fire catching that easily illuminated the material which was spread all round it .
A boy was running the picker at the time, and would have been able to have put the fire out had he had presence of mind to use a barrel of water which was available. Instead he ran downstairs for one of the extinguishers which belonged to the mill but could not make it work. During this time the fire had made such sufficient headway it forced him to leave, and he had a hard time amidst the suffocating smoke to make his way out.
The mill belonged to Mr. Gilbert Cannon and was not insured. The loss on it will be about $2000. The machinery belonged to Mr. W. H.Wylie and was insured for $7,000, which will cover about one third of the loss.About sixty have been thrown out of employment, and in present circumstance the loss is indeed a great one.
Messrs. Wylie & Co. got possession of all the electric lighting business in town on Monday, and on that evening their new dynamos got to work on the incandescent light contracts. After the proper speed was secured the lights were all that could be desired—up to the brightest anticipations. The 16-candlepower lights are pronounced equal to the 50-candle-power of the other system, and the light is a soft, mellow one and pleasant to the eye.
The new electric light station has been a source of great attraction to our citizens this week, and all who have visited it are delighted with the working of the Edison plant. Everything is in apple-pie order, and the fitting up is highly creditable to Mr. Lynn and his staff of electricians, as well as to Messrs. Young Bros., machinists. A walk around town will show anyone how the coal oil lamp system of lighting suffers by contrast with the incandescent system. We have little doubt but that in a short time nearly every business place in town will use the new form of lighting.
Quite a crowd of our townsmen were attracted to the front of Mr. Wylie’s store on Saturday night last by the novelty of its being lit with gas. The light was bright and clear, and of course was much superior to coal oil. No. 2 was similarly illuminated, and it made the building look like a fairy palace. The new worsted mill is also to be supplied with gas. There will be an abundant supply during the coming election.
Carleton Place–First Electric Lights Installed:
In mills including Peter McLaren’s Carleton Place lumber mills in early 1880’s; first community lighting service, Carleton Place, September, 1885.
Mr. W. H. Wylie, Carleton Place, received a special prize at the Toronto Exposition for the woolen shawls made at his factory. Messrs Boyd Caldwell and Son, Lanark, took first prize for Canadian Scotch tweed, and first prize for Cashmere at the Exposition.
Prizes for Woolen Goods—Among those manufacturers in Lanark County who carried off prizes at the Toronto Exposition now being held are: Gold medal, for the Woolen Company at Almonte; and also Messrs Boyd Caldwell and Son, Lanark; and Mr. William H. Wylie of Carleton Place.
Mr. James Gillies, purchaser of the Code Woolen Factory, Carleton Place, was in town on Monday.
Perth Courier, August 5, 1881
Retiring—We are sorry to learn that ill health has compelled Mr. James Gillies of the Carleton Place Woolen Mills (Code’s) and the Braeside Saw Mill, to retire from business until has system recuperates. He offers his woolen factory for sale.
1900 – To supply serge for British army uniforms the Canada Woollen Mills expanded its operations here at the Gillies and Hawthorne mills.
1903 – The Gillies and Hawthorne woollen mills – recently working on overtime hours with 192 employees, after six years of improvements under the ownership of Canada Woollen Mills Limited – were closed. The reason was stated to be loss of Canadian markets to British exporters of tweeds and worsteds. The company went into bankruptcy.
1907 – Bates and Innes Co. Limited bought and equipped the former Gillies Woollen Mill as a knitting mill. A Quebec company, the Waterloo Knitting Co. Ltd., similarly re-opened the Hawthorne Woollen Mill.
1909 – Bates & Innes knitting mill, after making waterpower improvements, began running night and day with about 150 employees. The Hawthorne knitting mill was closed by reason of financial difficulties, and its operating company was reorganized as the Carleton Knitting Co. Ltd.
lindaseccaspina 