2 Friday, September 10, 2021 fbrooklintowncrier.com "Proud to be a Brooklinite" Founded in 2000 and published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 editorofbtc@gmail.com The Brooklin Town Crier is locally owned and operated and is a publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, contact: 905.706.0482 Email: mulcahy42@rogers.com Next Issue: Friday, September 24, 2021 Deadline: Friday, September 17, 2021 During COVID-19 dates are subject to change. Hey PPC Candidate: Get your act together! To the Editor: You would think that there is enough space in Brooklin to place signs. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who thinks this! This is only one of many seen in our area. It appears quite rude of the candidate - for the PPC - to not respect his opponents! I have to wonder how he will be in Ottawa, if elected. This is definitely one vote not going his way. Steve Mitchell The Dopp House By Jennifer Hudgins When you head north on Baldwin from downtown and cross the bridge, you immediately pass a long driveway on the east (right) side that leads to a home you cannot see from the road. There, at 85 Baldwin, hidden from view, sits a century old home on a 1.75 acre parcel of land. Generally known as the Dopp House, the dwelling has had multiple owners over the years, though one of the most memorable was Eugene Dopp, who was recognized for his contributions to Canadian lacrosse. He had bought the property as a summer home for his family. Crown land At the beginning of its documented history, before the house was built, the land belonged to the Crown. In 1803, seven acres was given to Arthur McCormick, however, there is no record of its intended use. Between 1840 and 1898, a few familiar names owned all or part of the land at one time or another. Businessmen Amos Way, Daniel Way, and John Campbell, co-owners of the Brooklin Mill, and Georgina Darlington, daughter of Reverend Robert Darlington, the postmaster and treasurer of Whitby Township, are among them. It is possible that Campbell may have purchased the land with the intent to build a mill pond since Lynde Creek ran alongside it. But he eventually sold the property without making any changes. From 1890 onwards, ownership continued to change and the reasons for buying the land remained somewhat of a mystery until 1906 when Robert Hannah built the historic house. In 1912, Frank Luke bought the house from Hannah. Luke owned the butcher shop on Roebuck Street and his wife, Lillian was one of the founding members of the Brooklin Women's Institute. They lived their for 25 years, raising their 13 children. A lacrosse leader He sold it in 1937 to Gene Dopp, the man responsible for initiating senior "A" lacrosse in Brooklin. Dopp and his wife Greta moved their five children from Toronto every spring to the house they referred to as their cottage. In the fall they moved back to the city and the house sat empty over the winter. After retiring in 1961, he and Greta sold their Toronto home, made some renovations to the Baldwin Street house, and moved in permanently to become full time Brooklin residents. This gladdened the hearts of local lacrosse players and fans. After he passed away, his wife severed the land and sold half for housing on Bagot Street. After her death, the remaining 1.75 acres parcel with the house was purchased by the Garants. From 2012 to the present, the owners have been Michael and Catherine Schuck, who is president of Group 74. They and their family reside in what is still known to locals as the Dopp House.