This is the fascinating story of a a large piece of land of about 200 acres at the east entrance of Dunany that was originally a farm developed by John James Evan’s family who came to Canada in 1823 from Cavan County in Ireland. It was later sold to James Morrison (1870-1940) of Shrewsbury and then in 1927 to James Stowell Parkes, a prominent businessman in Montreal who came from Britain in 1885, known primarily as the founder of the Stowell Screw Company.
The Parkes house was probably built in 1927 and abandoned sometime in the late 70’s; most likely because it had become inhabitable having previously been sprayed with foam insulation that contained toxic formaldehyde.
At the time in Québec, the use of this insulating material gave birth to ” Le scandale de la MIOUF”. After it was installed, it was discovered that the foam could release formaldehyde gas, especially in the presence of moisture. Many homeowners who had used the product saw the value of their properties decrease and faced costly removal processes. It was banned in 1980.
This is unfortunate as the view from this house is exceptional. On a clear day, one can see Mont-Royal. I witnessed it myself on a summer visit many years ago.
A very reliable local source confirms this scenario and adds that, by that time, the house had been acquired by J.F. Wilson, another wealthy businessman, who was the owner of Price / Wilson in Lachute. He also owned a large cottage facing west at Clear Lake which was later sold to Georges-Hébert Germain who spent a lot of time there for many decades.
Finally, this large piece of land of about 200 acres where the Parker house sits was acquired many years ago by Mousbah Naamani who, earlier this year, sold it to Ducks Unlimited who purchased it for conservation purposes. The site has already been cleaned up and the decaying garage removed.
Ducks Unlimited plans to develop the site with trails and attractions such as the ruins of the house, the tiny cemetery and more.
Hopefully, you should be able to safely visit the site in the not too distant future.
Since an image is worth a thousand words, have a look at those!
Click on the slides to enlarge and escape to reduce.
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* This story was made possible thanks to the generosity of Les Sentiers de Gore, and more specifically, their president and secretary Jean-François Hamilton and, especially, Martin Jalbert who contributed his time and many documents and pictures.
* The information about the Evans Family is from A History of Dunany by Eleanor Hamilton Hammon.
* Also thanks to Kevin Ley and my son Christian for some of the pictures in this article.
I do not have thé information you are looking for.
I have however forwarded your request to the organiser of the event who may be able to provide it.
Thanks for this Jacques. As kids my sibs, Jane, Duncan and Peter and I would be cleaned up and walk down our road and over to the house for the tea.
I’m pleased to learn that DU has acquired the property and that the graves can remain undisturbed.
Thank you again for another great article. That stone house has intrigued me over the years and I had reached out to the owners about it, I love the history. I’m very happy to here that the structure will be preserved and that the land will become a conservation area. A great win for the area.
Thanks, Jacques, for this article. You certainly stimulated people’s memories. I remember going there to a tea with my grandmother, Minnie Sutherland. This was when the Stevens were there in the late 50s. With the tea, they had a craft sale. Grandma bought me and my sister Betsy rag dolls. I remember that there was a library, but not borrowing books.
The house was occupied by the Stevens family in the late 50’s/early 60’s. Every year, there was a big tea party where many of the Dunany residents would attend. I believe it was the forerunner to the Ladies Cocktail party at the golf course. I remember a little green shed full of books that served as the community library and the view from the house that was spectacular. I am pleased that Ducks Unlimited has become stewards of this property and help preserve its history.
Hi Jacques,
Thank you for this story!
I remember many visits to the house in the 70’s when the Melin (Sp??) family lived in it. iI believe that Warren may have also taken care of the church grounds?? Some of the children babysat us and we would ride the school bus together. We would get large jars of fresh milk from there. I remember (in the eyes of an 8 yr old) a majestic staircase.
One of my stongest memories was when Mirabel airport became active in the mid-70’s. From the vantage point at the top of the property, we could see the airport and be fascinated by all the lights and the airplane activity.
Great to know that this will be preserved.
Cheers,
Joel
Hello Jacques,
I remember as a very young child, going to that beautiful house with my grandmother, Clara Havill, for “tea” in that house. That was many moons ago!
Jane Burnell-Jones
Thank you Ernest for bringing this to my attention.I will make enquiries to find out more information about Hugh Montague Allan McEachren ownership of the house and will let you know if I am successful.Wishing you the best.
Hello Jacques and all,
The history of the Parkes home is interesting, but incomplete. During the late 1940’s and the 1950’s it had a distinguished owner. Hugh Montague Allan McEachren was a professor of music at McGill. My sister Florence Mannard (Morrison) took lessons from him in that house for a couple of years.
It is mentioned in Eleanor Hammond’s History of Dunany on Pg 77.
His farm manager had a WW II surplus Jeep (no doors or windows). It was the first vehicle I ever drove, when I was 8! That would be 1948.
Enjoy
Ernest Morrison
Hello Jacques and all,
The Parkes house had a distinguished musician owner during the late1940’s and1950’s. Hugh Montague Allan McEachren was a professor of music at McGill. My sister Florence Mannard (Morrison) took piano lessons from him for a couple of years. Reference to this is found in Eleanor Hammond’s History of Dunany on Page 77.
His farm manager had a WW II surplus Jeep which was the first thing I drove – when I was 8! That was in 1948.
Enjoy.
Ernest Morrison
Great research and most interesting. Such a spectacular area!
It will be another lovely part of Dunany to explore in the future and to walk the trails thanks to Ducks Unlimited.
Good work Jacques.
Thank you Jacques for this historical story! I am very happy to hear of the future plans for this land and hope to explore it soon!
Cathy Riviere
Jacques,
Thanks so much for putting all this info and the pictures together.
A very interesting story, and great piece of history.
Thank you. I’ve always wondered about it. Such a handsome structure.
Thankyou for this historical information
Great story Jacques. I used to visit it in the 70’s. The view was spectacular.
Peter
Thanks for this wonderful story and pictures
Merci Terry
Thankyou for this information
Our Community is steeped with interesting History
Facts
There is so much more to learn
Thankyou for this information
Our Community is steeped with interesting History
Facts
Thanks Jacques ,a fascinating story .
We are very lucky it was bought by Ducks Unlimited
Looking forward to walking the trails