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away36 · 10 April 2009, 09:05 PM

You're all such a fountain of information about architectural history and design. I'm afraid I'm at a loss in this area of expertise, but thought I'd share some pictures of some of the beautiful old historical homes in my own city.

The first picture is of Whitehearn. The building that would become known as Whitehern was built between 1848 and 1850 for city clerk and attorney Richard Duggan. It was originally named Willowbank.

Dr. Calvin McQuesten, an American from New Hampshire, came to Hamilton in 1852 to open a foundry with his cousin John Fisher. McQuesten prospered in business and in 1852 he was able to purchase Willowbank from Duggan for 800 pounds. The property would eventually be named Whitehern. It remained in the hands of the McQuesten family for 116 years. Three generations of McQuestens lived in the house from 1852 until the house was bequeathed to the city.

I chose this particular one to give a little info on because it is now a museum home open to tourists and this is where my son and his fiancee will be married in September.

Jimbits76 · 10 April 2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by away36

You're all such a fountain of information about architectural history and design.

Not me...this is getting dangerously close to starting to sound like my day job

Great pics tho Nancy, what a beautiful place to get married in...bet you can't wait!

J

away36 · 10 April 2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Great pics tho Nancy, what a beautiful place to get married in...bet you can't wait!

J

I don't know about ME, but my bank manager is thrilled to death!

Lisa · 10 April 2009, 10:01 PM

I loves those picture, Nancy. That last place is like a baby castle.

When I see photos like those, I yearn to go inside and prowl around. I've mentioned before that a tour of England (and a few castles) would be the bee's knees.

Carolina · 10 April 2009, 10:03 PM

Wow, David - how do you know this stuff??

Place me in the latter group. We love our trees, and everything else that you mentioned.

Lisa · 10 April 2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolina

Wow, David - how do you know this stuff??

Place me in the latter group. We love our trees, and everything else that you mentioned.

That is exactly true - and the two camps sometimes have a hard time understanding one another! In our families, both sides, we're the only 'old house" people.

My sister tells me she thinks old houses are creepy.

Carolina · 10 April 2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa

That is exactly true - and the two camps sometimes have a hard time understanding one another! In our families, both sides, we're the only 'old house" people.

My sister tells me she thinks old houses are creepy.

What?! Not that my house is that old (1974, but that's fairly old around here) -- but that's hard to believe.

To me, there is just not much appeal in driving into a cookie cutter subdivision with two entrances, where the homes are on postage stamp lots. And no trees. I mean, how big is 0.08 acre, anyway?! Granted, there are some very nice new subdivisions actually in the city, but we just don't have the $1,000,000+ budget to spend on a house.

And, no offense to anyone with this post. This is just my own personal opinion.

away36 · 10 April 2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa

I loves those picture, Nancy. That last place is like a baby castle.

When I see photos like those, I yearn to go inside and prowl around. I've mentioned before that a tour of England (and a few castles) would be the bee's knees.

You want castle? I'll show you castle!! This is Casa Loma. It's about 45 minutes drive from where we live. We often took the kids there for tours when they were little. It was especially magnificent at Christmas time because the decorating was mind-boggling! The only thing I hated, that the kids LOVED was climbing up the stairs in the turrets. I'm so claustrophobic and it was horrible! Too many pics to post so I'm just posting the link. Well worth a look!

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/ontari..._casa_loma.htm

Jimbits76 · 10 April 2009, 10:52 PM

Good Lord

I don't know why but it reminds me a little of this place....

http://www.altontowers.com/theme-par...ns/the-towers/

This is like the Brit version of Disneyworld!

J

Lion · 10 April 2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolina

What?! Not that my house is that old (1974, but that's fairly old around here) -- but that's hard to believe.

To me, there is just not much appeal in driving into a cookie cutter subdivision with two entrances, where the homes are on postage stamp lots. And no trees. I mean, how big is 0.08 acre, anyway?! Granted, there are some very nice new subdivisions actually in the city, but we just don't have the $1,000,000+ budget to spend on a house.

And, no offense to anyone with this post. This is just my own personal opinion.

Carol an acre is approximately 43,560 square feet!!!

Lisa · 10 April 2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by away36

You want castle? I'll show you castle!! This is Casa Loma. It's about 45 minutes drive from where we live. We often took the kids there for tours when they were little. It was especially magnificent at Christmas time because the decorating was mind-boggling! The only thing I hated, that the kids LOVED was climbing up the stairs in the turrets. I'm so claustrophobic and it was horrible! Too many pics to post so I'm just posting the link. Well worth a look!

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/ontari..._casa_loma.htm

I feel a little like I've been there, Nancy. Thanks for the link. The library and fireplace.... wow!

DSJ · 11 April 2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolina

Wow, David - how do you know this stuff??

Place me in the latter group. We love our trees, and everything else that you mentioned.

Back in college I started playing Sim City and several of their sequels. I became very interested in urban planning, design, development and architecture. I am a voracious reader and I go through periods in my life where I delve deeply into a subject to learn as much as I feel I need to in order to obtain the knowledge about it that I desire. Subjects have included: wine (including making), guns, cars, skyscrapers, horology, photography, politics, history (in MANY disciplines!), jurisprudence, criminology, social policy, medicine, the list, and my library go on...

It makes me a jack of all trades at a dinner party, but MASTER of very few. One of my shortcomings, I'm afraid.

DSJ · 11 April 2009, 12:49 AM

The biggest house in Minnesota is JJ Hill's St Paul residence. He was a "Robber Baron." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J._Hill
It is of Richardsonian Romanesque design.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardsonian_Romanesque

Other historic structures along St Paul's fabled Summit Avenue can be seen here:
http://images.google.com.pr/images?h...+paul&aq=f&oq=

Lisa · 11 April 2009, 04:08 AM

David, I have to go lie down again after seeing those pics.

This is so silly, but I find such happiness in seeing pictures like these.

Back to the gardening topic.... does anyone have a recommendation for a colorful ground cover that would do well in a fairly shady area? We had something in yellow at our old house, and it was very low-growing and spread very nicely, but I can't remember what it was called and also don't know how it would do with less than full sunlight. (in post 5422 you can see it near the front steps.)

DSJ · 11 April 2009, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa

David, I have to go lie down again after seeing those pics.

This is so silly, but I find such happiness in seeing pictures like these.

Back to the gardening topic.... does anyone have a recommendation for a colorful ground cover that would do well in a fairly shady area? We had something in yellow at our old house, and it was very low-growing and spread very nicely, but I can't remember what it was called and also don't know how it would do with less than full sunlight. (in post 5422 you can see it near the front steps.)

I like swooning you!

How about vinca?

I think it will grow in shade?

You'll laugh but I plant large shady areas with impatiens every year, they actually fill out pretty nicely, but it gets costly. Check out the impatiens growing wild in the Puerto Rico rainforest!

Carolina · 11 April 2009, 06:39 AM

Impatiens is one of my favorites. So simple, but so beautiful in shady places.

Today, we looked at tons of camellias, a neat evergreen called Bird's Nest Spruce, and Euonymus Moon Shadow. Also a possibility is a dwarf Japanese Maple, but not sure about that one. Plus, hostas, and maybe impatiens for color.

Now, I just need to figure out the layout...

Carolina · 11 April 2009, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSJ

Back in college I started playing Sim City and several of their sequels. I became very interested in urban planning, design, development and architecture. I am a voracious reader and I go through periods in my life where I delve deeply into a subject to learn as much as I feel I need to in order to obtain the knowledge about it that I desire. Subjects have included: wine (including making), guns, cars, skyscrapers, horology, photography, politics, history (in MANY disciplines!), jurisprudence, criminology, social policy, medicine, the list, and my library go on...

It makes me a jack of all trades at a dinner party, but MASTER of very few. One of my shortcomings, I'm afraid.

I think we may be kindred spirits!

redshirt1957 · 11 April 2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolina

I think we may be kindred spirits!

Yep, me to concerning Dave's post. You should see the research I did on the three different type of garage installations. Hell, still staying up late doing research.

Lisa · 11 April 2009, 06:58 AM

Dave, Joe and Caroline, I think that's the sign of a good mind. I also think you'll rarely, if ever, experience boredom!

redshirt1957 · 11 April 2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa

Dave, Joe and Caroline, I think that's the sign of a good mind. I also think you'll rarely, if ever, experience boredom!

Ever since I was a little kid I found joy in the smallest of things.

Carolina · 11 April 2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Yep, me to concerning Dave's post. You should see the research I did on the three different type of garage installations. Hell, still staying up late doing research.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa

Dave, Joe and Caroline, I think that's the sign of a good mind. I also think you'll rarely, if ever, experience boredom!

Yes, however sometimes it tends to drive one's spouse crazy!

Although, hubby appreciates it when I do all the research on a new product...

Carolina · 11 April 2009, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Yep, me to concerning Dave's post. You should see the research I did on the three different type of garage installations. Hell, still staying up late doing research.

Oh brother, I just got that...

redshirt1957 · 11 April 2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolina

Yes, however sometimes it tends to drive one's spouse crazy!

Although, hubby appreciates it when I do all the research on a new product...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolina

Oh brother, I just got that...

I was starting to wonder.

Took me ten years to realize that the wife's new toy was not the world's smallest vacuum cleaner.

Lisa · 11 April 2009, 07:29 AM

Caroline's quicker than I am today.

Um, as in today should be any different than usual?

Lion · 11 April 2009, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa

David, I have to go lie down again after seeing those pics.

This is so silly, but I find such happiness in seeing pictures like these.

Back to the gardening topic.... does anyone have a recommendation for a colorful ground cover that would do well in a fairly shady area? We had something in yellow at our old house, and it was very low-growing and spread very nicely, but I can't remember what it was called and also don't know how it would do with less than full sunlight. (in post 5422 you can see it near the front steps.)

Lisa, a good choice for shaded areas is Pachysandra terminalis, common name is Japanese Spurge. It is evergreen and has terminal white flowers in the spring!!!

Carolina · 11 April 2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa

Caroline's quicker than I am today.

Um, as in today should be any different than usual?

Oh, give me a break... I think it may be the beer I am drinking!

Lion · 11 April 2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolina

Impatiens is one of my favorites. So simple, but so beautiful in shady places.

Today, we looked at tons of camellias, a neat evergreen called Bird's Nest Spruce, and Euonymus Moon Shadow. Also a possibility is a dwarf Japanese Maple, but not sure about that one. Plus, hostas, and maybe impatiens for color.

Now, I just need to figure out the layout...

Caroline, Bird's Nest spruce would be another shrub to add to your lanscape. It is Picea abies 'Nidiformis. It is a spreading, dense, broad plant of regular growth with a depression in the center(thus the name). After many years in can attain a spread of 3-6' and 2-3' high. it is definitely a plant to consider for your front yard and would do better in the shade under the pines then some other plants!!!

Lion · 11 April 2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

I was starting to wonder.

Took me ten years to realize that the wife's new toy was not the world's smallest vacuum cleaner.

Does it take batteries!!!!!

redshirt1957 · 11 April 2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lion

Does it take batteries!!!!!

Took the batteries out because of chipped teeth.

Lion · 11 April 2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Took the batteries out because of chipped teeth.

I think you are using it wrong, didn't it come with directions!!! LOL!!!

10 April 2009, 10:03 PM	#5465
Carolina "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Carolina Watch: it, Bubba! Posts: 6,271	Wow, David - how do you know this stuff?? Place me in the latter group. We love our trees, and everything else that you mentioned. __________________ . .Member #5380 .

11 April 2009, 06:39 AM	#5476
Carolina "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: North Carolina Watch: it, Bubba! Posts: 6,271	Impatiens is one of my favorites. So simple, but so beautiful in shady places. Today, we looked at tons of camellias, a neat evergreen called Bird's Nest Spruce, and Euonymus Moon Shadow. Also a possibility is a dwarf Japanese Maple, but not sure about that one. Plus, hostas, and maybe impatiens for color. Now, I just need to figure out the layout... __________________ . .Member #5380 .

10 April 2009, 10:01 PM	#5464
Lisa "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oklahoma city Posts: 15,741	I loves those picture, Nancy. That last place is like a baby castle. When I see photos like those, I yearn to go inside and prowl around. I've mentioned before that a tour of England (and a few castles) would be the bee's knees.

10 April 2009, 10:52 PM	#5469
Jimbits76 "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK Posts: 9,407	Good Lord I don't know why but it reminds me a little of this place.... http://www.altontowers.com/theme-par...ns/the-towers/ This is like the Brit version of Disneyworld! J

11 April 2009, 04:08 AM	#5474
Lisa "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oklahoma city Posts: 15,741	David, I have to go lie down again after seeing those pics. This is so silly, but I find such happiness in seeing pictures like these. Back to the gardening topic.... does anyone have a recommendation for a colorful ground cover that would do well in a fairly shady area? We had something in yellow at our old house, and it was very low-growing and spread very nicely, but I can't remember what it was called and also don't know how it would do with less than full sunlight. (in post 5422 you can see it near the front steps.)

11 April 2009, 06:58 AM	#5479
Lisa "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oklahoma city Posts: 15,741	Dave, Joe and Caroline, I think that's the sign of a good mind. I also think you'll rarely, if ever, experience boredom!

11 April 2009, 07:29 AM	#5484
Lisa "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oklahoma city Posts: 15,741	Caroline's quicker than I am today. Um, as in today should be any different than usual?

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