Indian Head Walking Tour Brochure & Map.pdf - Tourism ...

19. 1017 Grand Ave:
Personalities Match Grand Home
In 1895, this stately home was built for J. S. Court,
a tall, broad English gentleman with a loud voice
and blustering personality. Mr. Court dressed in plus
fours, was a cricket player and polo enthusiast. He also
belonged to the curling club, was Anglican, Conservative
and chairman of the High School Board.
The Courts had no children. When Mr. Court died,
in 1914, Mrs. Court sold the house to James Hervey
Francis, for whom the town of Francis is named. Born
in 1859, in Ontario, Mr. Francis once assisted Alexander
Graham Bell in demonstrating the telephone. After
moving west, Francis owned large tracts of land in this
and other districts, including two sections of the former
Bell Farm. His first wife died. His second wife, Jean,
was the daughter of Senator Bryson. She was a dedicated
philanthropist. Their son, Jonathon Arthur Francis,
owned the house until 1962, when it was purchased by
Ernie and Marg Dragan. It is still their residence today.
The house sits on the largest lot in town; one block
long and half a block wide, and the maple leaf fence is as
old as the house itself. Although the carriage house was
built at the same time as the house, the tin garage was
built in 1919. The interior of the house has retained its
old Victorian décor, with parlour and living room little
changed since the turn of the century. Other features
include the original wood banister, five bedrooms, a
large attic, servants’ staircase off the kitchen and a third
exterior door on the side, leading to the balcony. LK
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