From the Border Cities Star – November 10, 1927
The new residence of Harry Low, at the corner of Devonshire Road and Ontario Street, which will be one of the finest in the Border Cities when completed. The building will be finished entirely in stone, with a full thatched roof, the latter believed to be the only roof finish of its kind, on a private home, in Western Ontario. It is arranged with special shingles manufactured in British Columbia.
Accompanying the house is a detached garage, with multiple car capacity, and containing also a private gymnasium. The residence is one of several “Lawton-Bilt” homes, designed and constructed under the direction of George Lawton, 7 Chatham St. W., during this summer.
Mr. Lawton specializes in residences of the better class, and this house is cited as outstanding example of his work. It is anticipated that Mr. Low’s will be ready for occupancy in the late spring of next year.
I stumbled across this article in the archives while looking for something totally unrelated. It was a nice surprise. The architect of the building had always been unknown in the files of the building, although it was long suspected it may have been the work of local builder George Lawton. This article confirms that it was indeed Lawton’s design.
Have a great weekend. See you back here on Monday.
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The terms used in this article are interesting. For example, saying that Mr Lawton "specializes in residences of the 'better class'" absolutely comes from a time in our history when the old English class system was ingrained in, and familiar to, everyone.
Harry Low was a fascinating figure who died in relative obscurity in 1955 while living in a modest home on McKay Avenue. He was a machinist turned ruthless rumrunner who took advantage of every opportunity that the Roaring Twenties gave him, and he made a fortune and had this house built.
Then, the depression hit, the law caught up with him and everything the man had was sold out from underneath him, including this stately home. He ended his life as it began - as a machinist quietly making his living. I couldnt imagine how he must have felt, everytime he drove by that house, everytime he heard about Paul Martin Sr who lived in that house after him.
I have a friend whose landlord bought that house and is restoring it. He got a tour when the guy bought it and the stories in that home are incredible. The basement bar where people like Al Capone, Meyer Lansky and many other icons had drinks and had secret meetings. Apparently there is a tunnel between the main house and the guest house where their cars would be waiting in the alley, where they would make their escape... The history must be screaming out of the walls in that place : )
Another beautiful palace of rumrunning was "Cooper Castle" built by James Scott Cooper that some say was the most opulent residence ever built in this city. It was a 40 room mansion kitty corner to this beautiful place.
Read more about Cooper here http://www.walkervilletimes.com/33/james-cooper.html
Follow up- the guy who purchased the Low-Martin house was Francesco Vella, of course. He just opened up a really neat pharmacy in Walkerville that I will definately visit in the near future thanks to this wonderful cold I'm experiencing : )
It is a shame what is going on with this home right now; if someone doesn't take it over soon, it will be destroyed. It is unfortunately already in a very bad state based on the last time I went through it (5 mths ago).
I am currently writing a research paper on this house. I was wondering where and how you came across this article? I've searched online historic databases and libraries for the Border Cities Star but I can't seem to come across this article. A reference would be great!