Sprawling century countryside schoolhouse
Open-concept spaces and original school bell are among highlights
Location: 78203 Old School Rd., Bruce Rd. 10 and A Line, Keppel Twp., Ont. Asking price: $399,900 Size: about 1,850 square feet Lot: 203 by 230 feet, no garage, inground pool Taxes: $2,715 (2015) Bedrooms: 3 plus 1 Bathrooms: 2 This one-of-a-kind country residence — the A-Line schoolhouse — was built in 1910 near Owen Sound and converted in1972 by then-owner National Ballet of Canada dancer Yves Cousineau.
It has been home to several Canadian celebrities, including its current owner, Bronwyn Drainie, noted cultural journalist and recent past editor of the Literary Review of Canada.
“This schoolhouse has been the centre of our family’s life for the past 12 years,” Drainie says. “It’s a magnificent building, larger than most one-room schoolhouses — it was decommissioned as a school in 1971.
“Its first private owner, Cousineau, opened the ceiling and created two innovative loft bedrooms connected by a bridge, leaving all the beams and other structural components of the massive roof on full view. The huge bank of original schoolhouse windows is the most arresting feature of the main room at ground level,” Drainie adds.
“The entire Bruce Peninsula is at our doorstep and we have explored it endlessly over the past dozen years,” she says, adding that many people in Keppel Township either attended or taught at the A-Line schoolhouse. So when the school turned100 in 2010, a community party was held at her house to celebrate.
On nearly an acre of land, the property has many mature trees offering privacy. It has a patio, a deck, professional landscaping, garden beds and a fenced, in-ground lap-pool. The home has two open-concept levels, with a kitchen addition featuring wood cabinetry and stained-glass panels made by local artisans.
“It is a rare find to have a country schoolhouse turned into a fantastic living space and still retain the vintage ambience,” says listing agent Marylon Hall. “A delight to visitors, the home still has a rope and the old school bell at the front entrance.”
Hall adds the home is minutes to Owen Sound, which has a regional hospital, Georgian College campus, parks and shopping.
The front double-entry doors with glass inserts open to the foyer, which features a ceramic-tile floor and closet. From the foyer is the spacious great room, open to the loft area above. A centrepiece of the great room is the wood-burning fireplace with a massive floor-to-ceiling stone surround.
Other highlights of this room include the wall of large windows with wooden frames and built-in book- shelves below,12-foot ceilings, wooden ceiling beams, unique pendant track light, pot lights and a carpeted floor. There is space enough to accommodate a large living room and a dining room. From here, open wooden stairs lead to the loft level.
As well, the great room is open to the kitchen addition, featuring decorative stained glass window panels above and exposed brick walls. The kitchen has a centre island with stone counter, a ceramic tile main counter and floor, a large two-pane picture window over the deep sink, pot lights and plenty of cupboard space. There is a double garden door walkout to the back deck with a large transom window above. Adjacent to the kitchen is a solarium or family room, featuring wood panelled walls and a garden door walkout.
There is a small bedroom on this level with an exposed brick wall. There is also a four-piece main floor bathroom, with claw-foot tub, a hardwood floor, a pedestal sink and a corner glass enclosed shower stall.
A few steps down from the great room is the laundry and utility room with a ceramic-tile floor.
On the second level there are two bedrooms and a two-piece bathroom. One bedroom overlooks the great room with stained-glass panels gracing the railing. It features a hardwood floor, a vaulted beamed ceiling, track lights and a double closet.
A “bridge” hallway over the great room leads to the second bedroom where there are also stained-glass panels spanning the wooden rail. The second bedroom is a separate room with a vaulted ceiling.
At the rear of the property is the heated separate studio building with a hardwood floor, a wood panelled ceiling and wainscotting, three tall windows and built-ins including a built-in desk and bookshelves. Attached to the studio is a small bedroom with a wood floor.
The back patio is sheltered and there are stone walkways throughout the property, plus a small fish pond. The generous-sized backyard also has a deck, fenced pool area, gardens, mature trees and plenty of green space.
To have a look at this property contact listing agent Marylon Hall, Broker, Re/Max Grey Bruce Realty Inc., Brokerage, 519-374-1242; mhallrealestate.com; Although we try to provide the most up-to-date information available, we cannot guarantee features as listed. Please contact the realtor for latest details. To make a submission to House of the Week, email soldhome@rogers.com.