Victorian Rose Tea Room

   Since opening the Victorian Rose on August 2nd, 1994, many of our guests have asked the question "How old is this house?" With the help of a friend and faithful customer, we've come up with the story that follows.

When the first land survey was done (circa 1791), Lot 1 Eastern Division was alotted to Henry Tofflemire, son of pioneer Martin Tofflemire. The earliest records tell us that he received this Crown Land on his father's request, because he had been so helpful in caring for the large Tofflemire family, which had arrived in the wilds of our part of Essex County after being attacked by Indians in Ohio. Henry died in 1804, but his family kept the property until 1823 when a man named Richard Herrington, a settler who moved to this area from Kingston purchased it. Herrington continued to clear lot 1 E.D. and became a farmer, a preacher and a prominent leader in the new and growing community.

When the village of Kingsville was laid out in 1852, Herrington sold off parcels of his land as building lots. The first deed we can find for this particular section of Lot 1 E.D. where the Victorian Rose sits, bears the name of Daniel S. Wigle who purchased several acres in 1878 at a price of $250. In 1883 he built this house on what was then Lot 11 and 12.

In the years that followed our house had many owners. In 1894 it was purchased by John Turk. In 1895 Bon Jasper. 1901 Agnes Arnold. 1915 Florence G. Mc Creery. 1918 Charles Fredrick and Mabel Crawford. 1952 Hilda Crawford McCleod. 1953 M. Genevieve Johston, Leila Johnston and Bessie Easton. In 1958 Albert Edward Easton. 1964 William and Helen Hodgins. 1974 Murray Ryall and 1980 Walter McGregor.

The longest owners were Fred and Mabel Crawford. During their tenure here, Mr. Crawford was a well-known partner in the Healey and Crawford furniture busines, as well as owning and operating the town's funeral home along with his son Don. He also served as mayor of Kingsville for several years.

In the fall of 1983 Mary and Joe Leach purchased the home from Walter McGregor. Mary opened the Rose and Thistle Tea Room. During her ownership I worked as one of her cooks. Mary's Tea Room flourished as it became well known throughout South-Western Ontario and Michigan.

In the early 1990s the ownership of the restaurant transfered to out-of-towners. When they closed it in 1994 I decided to purchase the building myself and re-open it under a new name, "The Victorian Rose." I have tried to keep the ambiance of the Tea Room as Mary had set up in the begining while also operating as a full restaurant.

Sincerely,
   Louise Morrison - Owner