Original Home of the Shriners
Peter Aylen was an Englishman who sailed his way into Canada in the 1810's. Ambitious young fellow, he became an important figure in the booming lumber trade of the Ottawa Valley. Unemployment was on the sharp rise at the time, however, as many of the Irish immigrants who were brought over to work on the Rideau Canal were left jobless upon the Canal's completion in 1832. Aylen hired these men (and they became known as Shriners) however they had difficulties competing for contracts against the more experienced French-Canadians. A feisty bunch, they bullied their way into employment and plenty of trouble, and it was in this house where they rested their weary heads after a long, hard day's corruption. Ironically enough, Peter Aylen, the King of the Shriners, eventually became a public official as Superintendent of Roads for Ottawa County.
It isn't clear what the connection is between the Peter Aylen and John 'Buffalo' Heney is, and why the latter is responsible for putting on the metal mansard roof in 1870. However I must say, it was this eye-catching roof that captured my initial attention.
Presently the building is inhabited by the ZW Group, an employee-owned construction and project management company.
1 comment:
It's a beautiful house! I love the stonework especially, and that metal roof is so unusual and fantastic! First time I've seen anything like it.
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