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Priory |
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The Priory Site - The large log "Priory", built in 1827-28 as a residence for John Galt and his family served as a caravansary and headquarters for the Canada Company. the house was located beside the Speed River on the north side of Macdonell street. Its original site is now partly covered by the new Woolwich-Wellington by-pass. The railway line, running parallel to the river bank, is that of the Guelph Junction Railway and is owned by the city. In 1887-88, 16 miles of track were constructed to the south to Guelph Junction (near Campbellville). The line has been operated by the CPR on a 99-year lease. The elm log Priory, after serving some 60 years as a residence, was adapted for use as a railway station. It served this purpose between 1887-1911. In 1926, one year before the city's Centennial, the historic structure was dismantled. Two scale models of the building survive; on outdoors at Riverside Park, and the other in the Civic Museum. From 1979X.00.634 Wellington Fire Insurance Historical Review came the following information: "It [The Priory] was gradually allowed to fall out of repair, until the present President, Mr. george Sleeman, with characteristic public spirit, secured possesion of the building from the CPR. He took steps to protect the main building and had the wings moved to the spacious grounds of his home to be reconstructed. An interesting picture of this is shown. The main building has fallen into ruin; alas, for lack of a proper respect for such relics in a modern workaday world." There is a photo in the book of one of the wings in Mr. Sleeman's garden. |
