Concession St. 0065 - House - stone - abt 1870 Cambridge

Other Events:

• Former Geographic Area: Hespeler
• Eby ID Number: Buildings-94
• House: Abt 1870, 65 Concession St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario

Notes:

Allenby retired in 1904 and died in England in 1910. The house passed to his daughter, Ruth, who married William Philip on September 18, 1900. It appears that Ruth and William lived in the house from at least the early 1900's. William was born in Fergus and came to Galt in 1899 as manager of the Galt branch of the Imperial Bank of Canada. William took over as manager of the Galt branch of the Royal Bank of Canada in 1909 and remained there until he retired in February 1934. Ruth died in 1932. William was appointed as a member of the Grand River Conservation Authority in 1934 and served on the commission for 20 years, 18 of them as chairman. He was also a director of the Gore Mutual Insurance Co. from 1933 to 1964, served as president of the company and in 1961 was chairman of the board. He died on April 6, 1964. One report says that Mr. Philip lived in the house until his death at the age of 93. Another source says that he died in Marsdale Manor. Research did not turn up any conclusive evidence either way but the latter information seems more likely since the occupant of the house after the mid-1950's is listed as William A. Philip, one William and Ruth's four sons. William A. lived in the house until 1971 when he sold it to John C. Heutinck, the proprietor of Heutinck Nursing Home, later called Hilltop Manor Nursing Home, 42 Elliott St. The nursing home, is still (2004) listed as the owner of the property. The house appears to have been used as a residence by Mr. Heutinck and his wife, Margaret, until the early to mid-1990's after which it was uninhabited.<sup>1a

1a</sup>Prepared by Jim Quantrell Archivist City of Cambridge Archives July 8, 2004

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On Wednesday, the city took possession of the dilapidated stone home at 65 Concession St. in a bid to save the city landmark and clean up a neighbourhood problem. The once proud residence has fallen into disrepair in recent years. It had become a hangout, portions of the building have been torched by vandals, and police and fire trucks are constantly being called to the building. Last month, city council authorized the purchase of the property for $150,000, saving the building from a date with the wrecking ball.<sup>2a

2a</sup>Cambridge Times 22 Aug 2009