The renovated “Springfield Jimmie” Thomson house, Bendale. Photo: Rick Schofield.
*Excerpt from the Scarborough Mirror, Dec. 26, 2012.
“‘Springfield Jimmie’s’ house restoration breathes new life into home
Looking Back: Rick Schofield
While much has been written about the Thomson Settlement, we are indeed fortunate that several of the most historic buildings have been saved from demolition.
“Springfield Jimmie” Thomson’s lovely, bank farmhouse at 146 St. Andrew’s Road, is one of the oldest brick buildings in Scarborough and stands as a tribute to not only the Thomson family, but also to all our pioneers. The beautifully detailed verendah faces south and is quite visible to the public. It reflects the pride our early builders took in the construction of their permanent homes.
The bank style also shows the builders’ respect and understanding of the environment. “Springfield” is built into the side of the bank of Highland Creek. While appearing as a two-and-a-half storey house on one side, it is one and a half storeys high on the opposite side. Only one level of this bank-style house was exposed to the cold north and west winds.
The lower sections on the north and west sides of the building are beneath the ground. However, the warmer south side of the building has large windows which allowed the morning sun to brighten and warm the house during an era when electricity and central heating were visions of the future. Adjacent to the house stands a unique fieldstone cold cellar, also built into the side of the hill.
Several years ago, the bank took possession and after a short period on the market it was sold to a contractor whose goal was to restore the exterior to its former glory, yet renovate the interior as a modern, high-end dwelling. Mission accomplished.
INTERIOR GUTTED
While retaining and restoring the heritage aspects of the exterior, including the rebuilding of the verendah; the interior was gutted, a modern addition added to the rear and the large, surrounding property professionally landscaped. What the general public sees now would certainly have pleased “Jimmie” but he would never recognize its 21st century interior.
Restoring the entire house would have been preferred but not likely to generate a sale due to the high cost of renovation. This is a compromise that should guarantee that the 160 year old house will still be around 100 years from now.
It’s now for sale to the right buyer, with a price of $1.7 million.”
*To see more historical images of houses in Bendale, click here to visit the SHS website’s Bendale photo Gallery.