Time Walker

William Metheral owned a substantial portion of land at the southeast corner of Aylmer and Murray Streets. Over several decades, the Metheral family expanded along with their business, and the four buildings they erected have all survived into the 21st century. In my research, I have often come across this type of progressive Victorian family land holding. I know of several other examples in Peterborough; it’s a common North American model. The patriarch purchased or received a grant of a generous parcel of land. On it they established their homestead and business. The family grew, and the sons helped build the business, which prospered along with the growing community. They built a slightly larger home. The adult sons, in turn, built prestige property; larger, more luxurious, status type dwellings on the land of the family compound. In this case, two of William Metheral’s sons each lived in one of the units, and the two other homes were rented out, generating additional income....

Looking good after lots of external work this year! Before...

220 is getting the brick painting treatment.  So awesome this house is being fixed up at last!

This lovely gothic style home was built c. 1887, about twenty years older than I thought.  It was originally a caretakers lodge for the George A. Cox estate, and was sold to William Morrow after Cox's death.  The gorgeous barge board trim is original.

Front porches updated on two properties.  Positive changes occurring slowly but surely. Brock Street:

Yet another house on a hill turned away from the street to face the view is the Robert Kingan House, built c. 1863.  Directly across Brock Street from Hutchison House, this beauty is currently getting a face lift.  Several months ago, a massive addition on the back was torn down in a matter of one day.  In the past few weeks, the original look of the brickwork has been being restored by a company called  The Brick Painters. I've watched them perform their magic on a few other properties in town, and they do a phenomenal job.  This is not the usual sandblasting but instead a method of faux finish that restores the appearance of the brick without risking potential damage from common cleaning methods.  You can't tell these bricks are painted!  The whole house used to be that awful yellow you can still see on the back where the addition was removed.  Just look at it now!  I also love the look of the new entrance porch; contemporary Arts &...

Another example of a house not facing the road, but situated to take advantage of a view, is the Jane Wilson House.  This unusual cottage, built circa 1880, was originally only one storey, but features two front projecting bay windows, a common feature of many larger homes of that era.  The house was just outside the original northern town boundary of Smith Street, now Parkhill Road.  At the time, it would have sat alone on the crest of a country hill overlooking Peterborough.  Newer houses and mature trees now block the view, although a glimpse of it can still be seen by looking south down the street.  This house changed hands a lot, but it was owned for over twenty years by the late Dr. Barclay McKone and his wife, Lorna.  The quirky position of this house and its large front garden, serene on this quiet little street, reminds me so much of England.