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Continued from page 38 destroyed by fire on March 7, 1881. In fact the house was described as ‘magnificent’ and an article in an 1886 issue of the Toronto Globe newspaper described it as follows.... “The residence of Dr. J.H. Sangster is beautifully located on the west bank of Lake Scugog, within the corporation of Port Perry. The house, built by the present owner, is of white brick and is surrounded by very extensive envi- ronmental grounds which besides the groves of beeches on the western shore, include several acres of primitive for- est, fully improved and detailed. The residence with its ample and well-stocked conservatory is said to be one of the finest in the province - its grape and hot houses and grounds form a lovely picture from the lake, and constitute one of the stateliest and choicest houses in the land. Dr. Sangster is at present engaged in a very large and lucrative medical practice. He was formerly principal of the Toronto Normal School, and is well known as an author of the school books in exclusive use from 1860 to 1870. He was for twelve years profes- sor of chemistry and botany in the Medical Department of the University of Victoria College, and for the seven years immediately prior to his removal to Port Perry in 1874 he was a mem- ber of the Board of Examiners of the Medical Council. He has thus been most intimately connected with both the general and medical educa- tion of the province.” Dr. Sangster’s huge yellow brick house took on the form of a rambling gothic baronial mansion. But the dominat- ing feature was an elaborate four-sto- rey tower with its crowning ironwork. The home also featured verandahs, a glass conservatory and the tall sturdy ornamen- tally capped chimneys, decorated brackets to the roof with its low pitched gables, the relief like caps to the curved topped windows with their shutters, these were all features of an Italianate villa belonging to an extremely wealthy family. Tf this house had survived, it would have been one of the most elaborate in the province. Unfortunately in the early morning hours of February 28, 1893, a fire broke out and the home was totally Dr. J.H. Sangster destroyed. A report in the North Ontario Observer described the loss: An article in the local newspa- per made this description of the - "The whole structure was enveloped in flames so that the building and contents were ina short time destroyed by the devouring element. Only a few articles were saved. This was one of the most magnificent and best appointed residences in the province and was fur- nished in a manner rarely excelled anyzwhere. The loss is a heavy one, there being only an insurance of $3,500 on the building and $3,000 on the mtents.” Not long after losing his second home to fire, Dr. Sangster sold what remained of his Beechenhurst property to Johnathan Blong, a local businessman. Mr. Blong purchased the property in January 1895, erected a stately new residence that summer and moved in the following January. The home erected by Mr. Blong still stands today at 434 Lakeshore Drive and is today owned by Kenneth and Joanne Dutka. By J. Peter Hvidsten This stately home, built by Jonathan Blong in 1895, still stands today at 434 Lakeshore Drive and is owned by Kenneth and Joanne Dutka. FOCUS - MAY 2010 43