Never before on the tour! This Victorian-era home has new owners who are discovering the joy of letting the features of a historic home come to life again!
New owners, yes. But folks with roots in our community. They will be taking this home to the next level of Christmas!
THEME: A Nutcracker Christmas!
Heritage Home Partner: Coming soon.
Decorator: Homeowner.
Specialty Vendor #1: Coming soon.
Specialty Vendor #2: Coming soon.
House History
Michelle Landriault
29 Fraser Street
This large home was built in the late 1890s. Master carpenter David Steele who lived opposite may have undertaken this build.
There is no doubt this home provides welcome comfort to families. A few owners remained here for 10 years each. Two families notably lived here for even longer periods of time.
From 1943 to 1973 (30 years), this was the home of Norman McCaskill (1878-1973) and his wife Bella Denovan McCaskill (1877-1952). They retired from farming outside nearby Dalkeith to live in Vankleek Hill. Their 1943 move to Vankleek Hill was announced in The Eastern Ontario Review weekly newspaper.
From 1981 to 2018 (37 years), Ida Cowan resided here. Ida was well-known to everyone in town. She worked at the Vankleek Hill Post Office. The town has never had door-to-door delivery. Residents have always collected their mail from their post boxes. Ida was reliably there at the counter to provide great postal services with a welcome & friendly smile.
Gingerbread Detail
This Victorian home exterior starts with the traditional Vankleek Hill red brick. Here it is laid in a typical running bond pattern. The popular brick came from one of several brickyards in the vicinity.
A Victorian element is the spacious front porch, with its milled posts that bring us decorative gingerbread details. The open-work corner brackets – with scrolled patterns of a stylized vine are each fronted by a vertical, flute trim. Throughout the 19thC, and into the early years of the 20thC, there were sawmills in Vankleek Hill that created and sold a variety of gingerbread designs.
The decorative cornice under the roofline features heavy stylized brackets. The pronounced overhang of the roof protects the brick from water.
In 1946, the side entry was for garden access and deliveries.
(Photo: McCaskill Family Archives, David MacDonald)