Patterson-Richardson Homestead, Hunter River

     The view across Bagnall's Pond from my backyard - the old Patterson Homestead, the oldest house in Hunter River.  Here's a photo I took this morning.  
      Many local people know this house as the home of Dr. David Richardson who operated his dental office from the house between 1989-1992.
      See previous post on this blog  -

http://peiheritagebuildings.blogspot.ca/2011/02/house-across-pond.html

     I researched this house in 2007 for an application to Historic Places - the following explains its history.

     The Pattersons were amoung the earliest settlers to Hunter River.  They built and operated a grist and saw mill which were essential to the early settlement of this community and the surrounding area.  In the 1919 J. Wellington (Will) Patterson, grandson of the first Patterson installed and operated an electrical generation plant.  The Patterson house is credited as being the oldest house in the village;[1] it sits majestically on the mill pond.  To reach the house you cross the mill damn and pass by the mill.

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[1] “History of Hunter River 1767-1967” pg. 28

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Lake Map 1863 shows J. Patterson grist mill

Meacham’s 1880 Atlas shows James Patterson with a saw & grist mill at this location

Cummins’ 1928 Atlas lists shows W.J.Patterson with 66 acres

Insurance Plan June 1956 shows a dwelling and barns on the property

Century Farm 1964 to J.W. Patterson

When the Pattersons lived here:

1.               “…the oldest house in the village of Hunter River.  The house was built on the property purchased from landlord Rennie by Mr. Patterson’s grandfather James Patterson who came out from the old country and settled here in 1834, and who built a grist and lumber mill and store.”[1]

2.               “On May 15, 1919, their visions were realized when the Hunter River Hydro Electric Company was established…Patterson’s grist mill was selected as the site…Mr. Wellington Patterson was engaged to operate it at no salary but with the luxurious privilege of free light for his mill and home.  It was Patterson who also installed and then maintained the street lights and, for a time, read the meters…”[2]

3.               Will and Florrie Patterson operated a tourist accommodations here called “Patterson Tourist Home”.[3]

When the Makitas lived here:

4.               The Makita’s came to visit P.E.I. from Vancouver Island for two weeks in 1970 - they stayed at the Patterson’s B&B three different times during that two weeks.  The Patterson’s asked them if they’d like to sell the place.  The Makita’s bought the property and lived here between 1971-1987.

5.               The Makita's ran a tourist accommodations here between 1982-1987 called “The Old Homestead Bed & Breakfast”.

6.               The Makita’s introduced Tennessee Walking Horses to the Island, hoping they’d catch on but they never did.

Since Dr. Richardson bought the house:

7.               The Richardsons stayed at the Makita’s B&B and told them, “if you ever want to sell, let us know”.  The Richardsons bought the property  in 1987.

8.               Dr. Richardson operated a dental office from the house between 1989-1992.  To accommodate the office they replaced the south sunroom with a large waiting room.

[1] “History of Hunter River 1767-1967”, pg. 28

[2] “Getting the Lights” by Kenneth Bell, pg. 77-79

[3] Interview notes, 27-Nov-2007

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     Here are my photos of the house taken in 2007 for the Historic Places application.

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=10304

 Above: East / Pond View.

 Above: Southeast / driveway view.

 Above: North View.

 Above: Southwest View.

 Gable & Dormer Detailing.

 Below: Mill stone from Patterson's Grist Mill.

 Below: Old Photo of Patterson House.

Below: Century Farm 1964 sign can still be seen through the porch window.