The baronial Scottish castle built by Alex McLaren (Lot 5 E½ Concession 4 WHS) and completed in 1864.
The building itself with its grand scale, meticulous stone detailing, and prominent view, became a landmark, known well beyond the area. McLaren himself was involved in local politics both formally as Reeve of the Township but also as the catalyst behind the forming of ‘the Grangers’, the first united farmers’ group which met in the attic of the Castle.
I read your story with great interest, also surprise at the lack of comment. I knew the Ross' for many years, having met Susan at Brampton District High School in the fall of !959. We became very close. After the fire in March, 1963, the family built a small house just down the driveway from the castle ruins. I guess stress from various sources took its toll. Peggy and Jim split, Peggy and Susan moved to Montreal, Jim and Maggie went to Toronto. Time and distance basically took its toll on my relationship with all of them. I met a girl whom I subsequently divorced after sixteen years primarily because I never got over the overwhelming memories of Susan and Caledon. I'm seventy now and those memories are just as intense as ever. Thank God I have a few pictures from those days. So, I've seen that video on You Tube of a castle that looks like a one story replica of McLaren Castle. Surely that isn't someone's idea of restoring the old castle. Anyway, so much for my comments. .....Chris Falconer
ReplyDeleteI'd like to thank Chris for the heart felt comment above. I stumbled on this site a few months ago, and passed it on to some of the family. I'm Jim's daughter to his second marriage and only heard this story years after the fact. He was still broken up over the dogs. A picture was painted by his sister and when I was very little I saw the ruins. Thank you for putting this history together, It put some history together for me.
DeleteTo "Anonymous": I was pleasantly surprised to read your reply. You provided a sort of living bridge to the past. I have so many detailed memories of those years, not the least of which was the night Susan and I were almost killed by a drunk driver. Fortunately, he only sideswiped us, but I had to chase him for a couple of miles before I could get him to stop.I have a photo of Susan, taken earlier that day, sitting on the hood of my dad's '61Pontiac. I use it for the lock screen in my phone. Anyway, I appreciate your comments. You would think at least two or three others would have viewed the site.
ReplyDeleteTo "Anonymous": I was pleasantly surprised to read your reply. You provided a sort of living bridge to the past. I have so many detailed memories of those years, not the least of which was the night Susan and I were almost killed by a drunk driver. Fortunately, he only sideswiped us, but I had to chase him for a couple of miles before I could get him to stop.I have a photo of Susan, taken earlier that day, sitting on the hood of my dad's '61Pontiac. I use it for the lock screen in my phone. Anyway, I appreciate your comments. You would think at least two or three others would have viewed the site.
ReplyDeleteHey Chris,
DeleteThis s Alan. If this ever reaches you I would love to talk.Still in Montreal: not the city you remember. (514)932-1980
Grange Corn Roast Was always a blast loved the architecture!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it reached me.
ReplyDeleteMore than 10 years after this blog thread was first posted I discovered it last night while trying once again to find Maggie. Our family, the OK Ross’s but not related, was very close to the Castle Ross’s. I have lots of memories but I’m not sure if anyone will see this so many years later. I will wait and see. Kate
ReplyDeleteIf this site is still being maintained there’s some correction needed to the occupancy of Sandy and Eva McMurray, which was longer and times differently than written. My father is their only living son so I can provide details if you’re interested.
ReplyDeleteI was just reading these very interesting postings here which I found quite interesting.
ReplyDeleteMy late Great Aunt Agnes Lawr who's maiden name was Macdonald also married to my late Great Uncle Archie Lawr along with my Great Grandparents were some of the first settlers of Belfountain and what was called Chinguacousy Township during the late 1800s and early 1900s. My Great Aunt Agnes helped the Author with doing the research for the book called Belfountain Caves, Castle and Quarries.
If more people can do more postings here about this castle and the history of this area where I grew up for a short time, and where my family members came from, I would be most grateful to read about those things.
Thank you, Dani Voorhees.
My mom's brother Chique Robinson was married to Katherine (Kit) Ross Robinson, Jim's sister who was a very gifted artist. For a period of time in the late 1950s early 60s they, along with their son, my cousin Nathen, lived in an apartment which was in the tower of the castle. I believe that Maggie was around our age but Susan was older. She was involved in riding and show jumping and I have a beautiful water-colour painting in my home that Auntie Kit painted of two of Susan's horses, Dinah D and her foal Lisa. It was such fun to go and visit and we were all devastated when the castle burned. Chique, Kit and Nathan relocated to Toronto and years later ended up living in CabbageTown with Maggie as a neighbour.
ReplyDeleteI don’t seem to ba able to reply all to this email. In any case, I remember Nathan, Maggie’s cousin. Especially a Halloween party at the castle. Mum bought us plastic costumes at the 5 and 10. A skeleton, a ghost, whatever. I was so excited about my store-bought costume. Then we got to the castle and Nathan and Maggie waltz in, him as Henry the eighth, her as Anne Boleyn complete with a papier-mâché bloody neck protruding out of her red satin gown AND a severed head under her arm. Unforgettable. Poor mum. I never forgave her for that and I’m working on a memoir about it. Stay tuned.
ReplyDelete— Cessie Ross (no elation)
I also remember that Halloween party and the beautiful costumes and feeling “outdone” by the Castle Rosses. Those were magical times - adventures with Maggie and my siblings in the Castle and surrounding woods and also at our parents farm near Belfountain. Kate Ross (not the Castle Rosses but the Oakland K. Rosses)
ReplyDeleteFor all who have memories, or photos, of the castle please do share and add to the local history!
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ReplyDelete