The House on the Hill
In 1849, the 100 acre property at Lot 29 Concession 3 in Usborne Township was purchased from the Canada Company by Robert Bell, who cleared 20 acres and built a modest log home and stable. John Strang from Stirling, Scotland purchased the property in 1851 and began living there in March 1852. John was a stone mason in Scotland and so he built the house that currently stands on this property from local field stones and acquired limestone from the quarry in St. Marys to use as caps for the windows and doors and for the windowsills. John built other stone homes in the area as well following a similar fashion.
This lot of land boasts the highest point in Usborne Township at 987 feet above sea level. There is a substantial hill alongside the laneway that has been enjoyed by generations of Strangs on snow toboggans. The Strang property was home to School Section No. 1 Usborne when the school was erected on the northwest corner by the road at the top of the hill. The house also served as the municipal office of Usborne Township for many years.
In 1976, this stone house was described as a one of the five historic features of the township. "The Strang stone farmhouse...displays fine stonelaying. This house is one-storey-and-a-half and of true colonial style. Built and designed by tradition, this 28x40 foot building has a truth to function and building material. Adding to the distinction are the many trees that surround the residence." The house was officially designated as a heritage site under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1980.
Keith and Sandra live here presently and have restored some of the original features of the home in recent years. Many of the floors and the stairwell have been stripped down to the original wide plank boards. On their walls hang the deeds of when Robert Bell purchased the land from the Canada Company, and when he sold the land to John Strang. This homestead has remained in the Strang family since John's time and we intend to keep it that way for future generations to enjoy and cherish.
This lot of land boasts the highest point in Usborne Township at 987 feet above sea level. There is a substantial hill alongside the laneway that has been enjoyed by generations of Strangs on snow toboggans. The Strang property was home to School Section No. 1 Usborne when the school was erected on the northwest corner by the road at the top of the hill. The house also served as the municipal office of Usborne Township for many years.
In 1976, this stone house was described as a one of the five historic features of the township. "The Strang stone farmhouse...displays fine stonelaying. This house is one-storey-and-a-half and of true colonial style. Built and designed by tradition, this 28x40 foot building has a truth to function and building material. Adding to the distinction are the many trees that surround the residence." The house was officially designated as a heritage site under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1980.
Keith and Sandra live here presently and have restored some of the original features of the home in recent years. Many of the floors and the stairwell have been stripped down to the original wide plank boards. On their walls hang the deeds of when Robert Bell purchased the land from the Canada Company, and when he sold the land to John Strang. This homestead has remained in the Strang family since John's time and we intend to keep it that way for future generations to enjoy and cherish.