Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
Article 45 of 111
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
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More Recycling
GILMOURS' GATEHOUSE
This building now developed into L'Agaric Restaurant once served as the gatehouse to the logging operations of the Gilmours in newer Chelsea.
When the mills ceased, the old gatehouse was rented to summer tenants for a number of years. In 1926, when the electric dam had been erected, Tom Padden, watchman for the power company acquired the former gatehouse and moved it to a vacant lot on the corner of Old Chelsea and Scott Roads where once had stood, side by side, Whittaker's Hotel and the Allen's private home.
For several more years Padden continued to rent the place. Two commercial enterprises followed, each for short periods prior to L'Agaric Restaurant taking over and extending the building.
HANRATTY/REYNOLDS HOME
Now known as No. 5 Scott Road (correction 10 Scott Road, ed.) it recently became The Old Chelsea Galerie (correction - Galerie Old Chelsea, ed.) operated by a group of local artists.
It is not known when it was completed and by whom but it was there in 1875. The 1861 census shows John Hanratty living in a 1-1/2 storey house on a 1-1/4 acre lot with his family.
In the early 1890s Jack Reynolds acquired the place from his younger brother, Tom, who had bought it but died quite young, having never used it. Jack raised the building from its log foundation, constructing a basement underneath. The back portion was probably added at this time. Another Reynolds generation was the next to occupy the place. During this period the clapboard siding was added.
Del Trudeau bought the house in 1973 and rented it out.
CHAMBERLIN BIG HOUSE
With its lesser sized twin, the Little House, were both built prior to 1875 by the Chamberlins as cottages. The big one went up first followed by the smaller version.
We are concerned with the Big House, where lived John Chamberlin., his wife Angela (Allen), Mrs. Chamberlin, as a widow continued to live with her daughter Hattie and Myrtle Laura, child of another daughter deceased. Hattie was quite the belle in her day, she was married in the Big House.
The next occupants were Johnny Murphy, his wife Lottie (Joyce) and their nine children. There was a carriage house in the rear and a lawn of immaculately kept grasses, used for lawn bowling.
Much later, Del Trudeau completely recycled the whole building - late 1980s. It now serves as Pourvoyeur Old Chelsea Outfitters who equip in season, sports persons with skis, bikes, canoes, kayaks, etc.
THAT'S ALL
While there are other equally old buildings in the village, including the oldest, which have undergone changes through the years they have remained as dwellings, not having been recycled to serve a different clientele.