The House

History of 83 Argyle Street

 

It is said that this is the oldest stone home in the Village of Lanark. Whether that is true or not doesn’t change the fact that this is an old home with its place in the history of this Village.

 

The Rev. William McAllister came from Scotland in 1831 to be minister to this village and surrounding area. During his first year it was decided that a Manse should be built for the minister to live in. In Oct 1831 the contract for the carpentry work was given to Robert Drysdale for the sum of 59 pounds ($100.52), and the stone work was contracted to Robert Hay for 57 pounds ($97.11).

 

In 1862, two years after the present United Church was built, a call was extended to Rev. James Wilson. Rev. Wilson faithfully served his people for 30 years and the attachment between pastor and his people was very strong. Upon his retirement in 1892, the congregation sold the Manse to him for $450. In 1893 work was started to build the present St. Andrew’s Manse.

 

On May 1, 1908, Rev. Wilson’s wife Etta sold the Manse property – the residence and 4 acres of land- to the Roman Catholic Church Sacred Heart Parish for $1350. The first Priest to live here was Patrick J. Keaney.

 

At this time we believe the second story was added and the back addition. The kitchen was moved there. With radiator heating all chimneys were removed but the one in the back addition, the fire places filled in and covered with lath and plaster. The stone work resembles that of other stone work on homes and buildings of that era.

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On May 24, 1946 George S. Young of Lanark bought the property from the Sacred Heart Church. The property consisted of Lot 29, on which the house stands, lot 30 where the barn stands, plus a right-of way, lot 20 to Princess St. Renovations at that time included making the entire upstairs into living accommodations for George, his wife Bessie and daughter Patricia.

 

On Nov. 28, 1975 Blair and Son Funeral Home of Perth purchased the entire Young holdings selling the furniture store in 1979. At that time the apartment was turned into a selection room. Funerals and wakes were held here right up to 2013.

 

In 2021 the decision was made to get the property ready to sell.

Nov. 2021, We ( Rene and Jeannette Bosman) bought Pinehill Apartments. Driving by daily we saw the dumpster arrive. In Jan 2022 we sold Providence Point. With housing in high demand and in short supply the question was raised. What do you think of the old funeral home as a potential home?

 

Dec 24, 2021 we took our first walk through. March 21, 2022 we purchased the property and Demo began. The demo took a full year. The rebuild began in March.

Mid October 2023 the inside was completely done and the Bosman family moved in.