Kathy Renwald in the house where local history lives

Decor

THE HOUSE STILL STANDS at the place where Joseph Webster Senior and Junior launched their milling businesses. It’s a mansion called Springdale built in 1810 or 1850, depending on which history you read.

At this location, in the shadow of the elegant stone house described as Wilderness Georgian, the web of history is tethered. We see the names every day, the Hatts of Hatt Street, the Greens of Greensville, Spencer of Spencer Creek, Bullock of Bullock Corners, and Webster of Webster’s Falls. They all have roots here.

Webster Sr. bought the land next to the waterfall that would bear his name, in 1819. It belonged to Richard Hatt and maybe, or maybe not, the stone house was already there. Water rights and a distillery were part of the purchase. When Joseph Webster Jr. got rolling, he built the Ashbourne Roller Mills and the first road down the escarpment linking Greensville to Dundas. That road is now called Highway #8.

The drive and the industry of the Webster family is reflected in their home on Webster’s Falls Road. At a time when rural living in a log cabin

or simple frame house would be common, the grand elegance of Springdale makes a statement. A cut stone front façade, nine multipane windows, elegant entrance and matching sunrooms at each end demonstrate the symmetry of Georgian style.

That it has been occupied and maintained for its long history is its saving grace. In the 1990s, the house

was owned by a Toronto florist. It made a perfect set for photo shoots. For the past 20 years it’s been owned by John and Leigh Wells, but they have decided it’s time to move on. Springdale is for sale.

“The house and I have a symbiotic relationship,” says Wells, a retired doctor. “I kind of enjoyed climbing up and down to put the storm windows

on. We’ve had a good time being kind to the house, and it’s taken good care of us.”

Wells calls Springdale a wonderful place to raise children, describing adventures with their two daughters on their lovely property and at nearby Webster’s Falls Park.

Over the years they have replaced windows, updated wiring, modernized the kitchen and bathrooms, and thoroughly enjoyed “stepping into history.” Yet so much of the original house remains, Wells says, that memories are attached to everything.

“We look around and wonder who put that big stone there, and where did all the wood come from.”

From the graceful entranceway through the principal rooms of the ground floor, there is so much to savour. The living room and dining room both have hefty stone fireplaces, the deep sills of the multipaned windows are perfect for flower arrangements, maple floors are nearly indestructible, and plants and birds live happily in the glassed in sunroom. There are four generous bedrooms on the second floor. “When the windows are open you can hear the waterfall,” Wells says.

While there is historical documentation about much of the house, there is only speculation about the intriguing basement. In one of the elaborately panelled rooms there are permanent benches resembling church pews, built-in cabinetry with the suggestion of an altar, and a curious inlay pattern in the stone floor. Did a travelling pastor visit here, Wells wondered, or is there a connection to the Freemasons?

According to a history compiled about Springdale, the property where the house was built started as a land grant around 1787 to a soldier who belonged to the famous Butler’s Rangers. Then along came Richard Hatt, and the Webster family, and now the Wells who felt privileged to care for it for 20 years. It’s now for sale for $1.99 million.

Wells’ hope is that a family will

move in who will love the land and the house and the history of one of the most elegant houses in Flamborough.

KATHY RENWALD PHOTO Maple floors run throughout Springdale. In the den, beams and corner brackets add cosiness, though their purpose is to help support the second floor. Elaborate mouldings are a reflection of the wealth of the original occupants.

At 3,300 square feet, the size of the historic house reflects the early success of Joseph Webster and family. One of four fireplaces warms the dining room.

One of the largest and most elegant homes in Flamborough, this stone house known as Springdale dates to the early to mid-1800s. It is adjacent to Webster’s Falls and was the home of Joseph Webster Sr. and Jr. at the time they were developing grist mills.

The Georgian style symmetry of Springdale is evident in the centre hall, where light pours in from the entrance with original sidelight and transom windows.

SPRINGDALE IN FLAMBOROUGH

THE DINING ROOM WITH FIREPLACE

THE SPRINGDALE PANELLED DEN

The elegant entrance with beautiful doors opening to the principal rooms of the ground floor. Springdale is rich in detail and was a rarity in rural Flamborough of the 1800s.

Paneling detail at one of the nine windows on the front facade of the house.

Built in benches or pews in the basement of Springdale.

Beautiful deep sills are features of the windows, and French doors open to a sunroom with a fireplace and tile floor.

PHOTOS BY KATHY RENWALD A view into the panelled den from the large living room. Many of the original details remain at Springdale.

The Websters’ original home is described as Wilderness Georgian. As seen in the living room details, it is an intriguing combination of refinement and rugged masculinity.