Community rallies behind historic Lafontaine home facing wrecking ball

The fate of a home linked to a defining moment in Lafontaine’s history could soon be decided and some in the community want to do something about it.

The historic former home of Théophile Brunelle has become a rallying point of sorts after the current owner told Tiny Township’s heritage advisory committee that he wants to demolish it, citing its extensive state of disrepair.

But township resident André Desroches says any decision regarding the two-storey home and accompanying garage shouldn’t be entered into lightly.

“I would advise council before approving a demolition permit to review why so many of Lafontaine's heritage homes no longer exist,” Desroches says.

“Only a few are left and one of them is the old house right across from the church (Paroisse Sainte-Croix).”

Brunelle’s fame in local lore stems from his shooting of ‘Le Loup de Lafontaine.’ In a story by Father Thomas Marchildon, he outlines how an evil wolf was terrorizing area settlers in the early 20th century before Brunelle stepped in to kill it and unite the people.

Father Marchildon’s tale served as the inspiration for the annual Festival du loup held each July in Lafontaine.

A farmer, Brunelle was the previous owner of the red brick house located just off Concession 17 West at 4 Potato Court. It was built in 1870 and is listed on the township’s Municipal Heritage Register.

The heritage advisory committee, which meets this Monday, is looking for public feedback on the structure before making any recommendations to council regarding the property.

Municipal heritage criteria has been met for the Brunelle structure, according to the committee, which also remarks on the direct association and landmark status of Brunelle and the story.

In its description of the Brunelle property, the committee says the house and garage sit at the south end of 420 acres of property.

“The dwelling is a two-storey brickwork farm house, standard of late-nineteenth century architecture for rural  construction,” the committee’s report states.

“It appears to maintain several of its original features, including sash windows, hipped dormers, a gambrel style roof, wooden porches on the south and east sides, as well as pressed tin walls and ceilings inside.

“The smooth exterior of the building demonstrates the simplicity of Edwardian architecture, while the gambrel roof and dormers are reminiscent of the more ornate stylings of Gothic Revival. As such, this dwelling could be considered a blending of the two styles.”

However, the stated reason for the demolition notice by the current owner was that the house and garage “are in extremely poor condition and are a hazard for personal safety”.

Joëlle Roy is executive director of La Meute culturelle de Lafontaine, an umbrella group that oversees the Festival du loup, le Musée vivant de Lafontaine and les Contes de Lafontaine.

Roy notes that Brunelle’s story isn’t just part of local lore; something that was proven during a recent Festival du loup a few years ago.

“We had this tourist bus that came from Sudbury and they specifically asked to see that house,” she recalls. “I put a guide on the bus and he told the (Brunelle) story.”

Roy says Nadine Lalonde will make a presentation to the heritage committee Monday on the group’s behalf and to share all of the comments they’ve received from people who think the building should be preserved.

And it’s not just locals who are voicing their concerns about the home’s future, according to Roy.

“Some people that are not even within the community at all felt this is important, this is something that should be spared,” Roy says, adding there’s also support from people who believe the home can be rebuilt, even if it means partially dismantling it first.

“I believe it could be undone and put together again like Humpty Dumpty.”

In his request for the demolition permit, property owner Glenn Whiteside of Glenn Whiteside Farms Ltd. in Alliston, wrote the “structures are in extremely poor condition and a hazard for personal safety.”

A request for comment on his application wasn’t received in time for publication.

When a property is "listed" on the Municipal Heritage Register the owner has greater control over its fate a property than if it’s been “designated.” Under the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA), "designated" structures cannot be demolished unless the owner applies and receives consent from the resident municipality for that intent, with appeals made to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Currently, Tiny hosts four OHA designated sites: St. Patrick’s Church in Perkinsfield, Paroisse Sainte-Croix in Lafontaine, Copeland Hill Cemetery on Concession 13 and the North Simcoe Railway Bridge on Concession 2 East.

Desroches, meanwhile, opted to buy the home across from the Lafontaine church and plans to restore it to its original glory by exposing the home’s logs while also adding a new metal roof with standing seams and new windows.

“It will look very similar to the one log home on the 17th Concession, which was totally redone.”

Desroches says the same kind of treatment could help restore the historic home to its former glory and preserve part of the region’s rich history.

“My recommendation would be to transfer the ownership of the house to the Loup De Lafontaine committee where a fundraising can take place to bring it back to its original state.”

Desroches says the restored ‘Maison du Loup’ could become the most exciting place to visit in Tiny.

“The design of this house is the same as you can still see in the countryside of Quebec, all very well maintained, and that is why the countryside in Quebec is so beautiful,” he adds. “Let’s keep some of that beauty here!”