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| looking up from Picton Bay |
They were 'first on the scene' with their Instamatic the morning after the explosion. Just recently I found these photos and wanted to share them with folks who still mourn the loss.
The six acre property which slopes down to Picton Bay marina has been for sale forever. The Lester Group which is handling it (one simply does not 'sell' a property this special) has assembled some of the history on their website. I guess in time the property will fill up with McMansions, and the castle will be nothing but a name...bragging rights.
It will always be there for me, part of the scenery we drove by on the way to 'town'. I still remember the matching gatehouse which stood along Bridge Street. It stood for many years after the castle was demolished. I remembered to look recently and it has disappeared. Wonder how long ago?
Be sure to venture below this post, to read the heartfelt comment sent by the son of the then-owner of our wonderful Villeneuve.
Must have been a magical sight in its heyday.
ReplyDeleteOh and the setting was magical, a curving drive down from the gatehouse to the edge where it sat, and huge trees everywhere. Interesting to have had insights into the conceits of the wealthy and powerful in a wee town like Picton in the day.
ReplyDeleteLoved your line about it always being there for you. I often wonder why I care so much about historic places that "don't make it"(to be charitable about it). Last week a fine c.1810 mansion in Pictou, NS was demolished. The large house was built of stone brought from Scotland, where many of the earliest settlers were from. It had been a fixture of that town, almost from its inception. Try removing that from your individual or collective memories.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.parl.ns.ca/pictou/norwayhouse.html
http://museum.gov.ns.ca/imagesns/html/40528.html
I'd best make plans to get back to some of your favourite towns before they disappear.
ReplyDeleteWell, Annapolis Royal has lasted 400 years, I'm sure it'll be around for a few more. But your point is well taken. I think a trip next summer is in order. On the way down I'll finally make a stop at Upper Canada Village and see what people are talking about.
DeleteI remember having lunch there in the '70s. A tragic ending that should not have happened. Never store propane inside!
ReplyDeleteThe Castle was a very unique and beautiful place to grow up in. My family are the ones who owned it during that unfortunate event. The magnificent ballroom with the ornate plaster work, grand fireplace with huge oil painting that hung over it. I remember the bustle of the weekends with the packed restaurant, the Kidds playing live music in the bar area. The view from the bar deck overlooking the bay was gorgeous. My favourite room was the one on the third that resembled a ships cabin-so neat. We never used that area or the bath with the clawfoot tub, just off the stairs. I can never forget my time living there. The stories that went with the old place or the house itself, in and out. Many times I have walked through the house in my memories. It truly was like losing a work of art. Houses like that aren't build anymore.
ReplyDeleteBTW- The propane was being used to unfreeze a frozen waste line. The valve on the tank was faulty leaking propane across the basement floor to the furnace pilot light. The rest, sadly, is history.
Signed- Rick Uhlmann
My grandfather owned the Villeneuve Castle for a short time in the 1930's. Perhaps we could share stories from that period
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ReplyDeleteAs a Villeneuve by blood I would love to purchase the castle and make it spectacular again. I was in contact a few years ago with the realtors but never found out a listing price. I have yet again tried to contact them to find out how much the listing price is currently. If anyone knows anything please feel free to reply. Would love to gather as much information as possible. Thanks :-)
ReplyDeleteMy husband Larry White has a Carnegie medal of honour for running into that burning castle and saving a few people during that explosion in 86. My husband Larry and I are both former residents of Picton. I have a lovely painting of this historic Castle on my wall.
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding that to my story. Terrible that a life was lost; how fortunate that some were saved thanks to your husband. Our mom and dad lived on Bridge Street, just above the property. The explosion was a major event in their lives.
ReplyDeleteMy family owned the place in the 60's. They were driving through Picton and it was up for auction. They pooled their money with friends and bought the property. It was badly in need of repair, and the plan was to create a restaurant and possibly an inn. I summered there many years as a child. we just called it "The Castle" and were convinced it was haunted. We eventually sold our share and it was eventually a restaurant.
DeleteI believe I may have a great oil painting from that castle: a Victorian lady seated and a little girl with a battledore in her hand....can anyone tell me if they know of this painting?
ReplyDeleteCurious to know who posted this comment. My grandfather owned Villeneuve Castle in the 1930's too......are you related to the Gadsby's.
ReplyDeleteCurious to know who posted that their grandfather owned Villeneuve Castle in the 1930's? So did my grandfather....Wondering if we are related?
ReplyDeleteMaden name is Villeneuve like the pics sham that is no longer there!!!
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