Legendarie local preservationist Mike Fish has been whipping together a little history of the lovely old Redpath Mansion in the Golden Square Mile.
It's now slated for demolition by the family which owns the Suburban newspaper. They bought it in 1986 and allowed it to run down.
Mike Fish points out that the home is sometimes called the Frederick Redpath Mansion but it would appear that it really should be the Francis R. Redpath Mansion, as the son of the scion John Redpath was the main occupant of the home, which inexplicably went unoccupied until 1969 after his death in 1928 at age 82.
Mike Fish points out that the home is sometimes called the Frederick Redpath Mansion but it would appear that it really should be the Francis R. Redpath Mansion, as the son of the scion John Redpath was the main occupant of the home, which inexplicably went unoccupied until 1969 after his death in 1928 at age 82.
Not sure where or where Fish's findings will be published but I'm looking forward to reading his piece.
Little known fact: the mansion was the city's first private residence to have electric lighting, as it was fueled by a gas generator prior to electricity.
It was also one of the first in the city to be equipped with a telephone. Francis Redpath also proved 'imself to be an early adopter by snagging the city's second-ever car, according to his obit.
It should be a crime to "allow a building to run down"--an all-too-common occurrence in this city and a seemingly unstoppable travesty.
ReplyDeleteThe list of heritage buildings we have already lost is too heartbreaking to repeat.
What's next: the recently-closed Mount Stephen Club on Drummond Street?
I'm sorry to hear that it must go. It is a national treasure. My neighbor feels the same way and tells me there's a display from one of his aunt's works in there. He won't tell me what it is except that it is something well known, and that people wear it “above their heads”. (above the heads)?
ReplyDeleteAny ideas anyone ???
Does the Redpath have a display of “halos” in there?
Last weekend I was in Buffalo visiting the Martin House - designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It had sat empty from sometime in the mid-30s to the early 50s and then only parts of it were lived in. It's now been (mostly) restored.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see the Redpath Mansion restored.