Rockside Cultural Heritage Landscape Study - Town of Caledon

Rockside Cultural Heritage Landscape Study
Town of Caledon
Lots 4,5 Concession 4 W½ WHS Inv. #14,15,16
Patullo/Kirkwood farmstead Lot 5 Concession 4
WHS
The grouping of the 1890 stone
schoolhouse with the Frank property to
the north and the Patullo/Kirkwood
property at the sideroad corner
represents a particularly rich
concentration of features and historic
associations. Both farmsteads still
retain original log dwellings as well as
the current stone homes built later in
the 19 th century, with the Frank house
distinguished by a belvedere. They both
retain outbuilding complexes including
large main barns and, at the Frank
property, a stone stable.
The characteristic stone fence with wood shims runs along the roadside property line of
the Frank and Patullo/Kirkwood properties, with the latter section considered the best
extant example of this unique fencing type (though partially rebuilt).
Not only is the former stone school one
of the finest buildings of Rockside, but
it appears that the property was also the
site of the community’s original log
school/church. This cluster can also be
considered to include the Melville
Church c.1837, discussed above.
1890 Stone Schoolhouse, Mississauga Road
The ‘Grange’ (Lot 5 E½ Concession 4 WHS) Inv. #1
Built for Alex McLaren, son of Rockside Pioneer James McLaren, ‘the Grange’ at its
completion in 1864 was one of the wonders of the region. Designed to closely imitate a
Perthshire castle and constructed of local stone, it was a key factor in the opening up of
the important quarries at Inglewood and the increase in stone structures in the area.
Within it, McLaren entertained some of the important men of the era and it was at ‘the
castle’ that he helped form the first united farmers group, the ‘Grangers’. For a time a
post office was maintained on the premises. Though much denigrated by fires in the
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