224 Second Avenue - C.C. Campell House

The C.C. Campbell House as it was known in the early 1900s by Fletch Manning October 5, 2012

This classy old home owned by Ray and Joann Sauve was built around 1907. Previously there was a stable on lot #1 owned by Mrs. James Smallwood. This stable was later removed as the growing town built their own livery stable on Railway Avenue near where Williamson’s Trucking business is now situated. According to records, Mr. A.C. Robertson bought the next lots (2 and 3) and build his house on lot 2.

Mr. Colin C. Campbell came from southern Ontario and settled in Reston in 1906-07 and bought lot 1. The following year in 1908, he bought lot 2. He and his wife Minnie (Macklin) raised two children Mildred (Mellor) and son Colin St. Clair Campbell (C.S.).  Mr. Campbell bought a number of parcels of land and was a cattle drover. Later on, he built and operated a seed plant business south of town which was eventually managed by son C.S.

C.S. married Claire Clark and they were blessed with four children Colin Keith (he was known as Colin Keith to distinguish him from C.C. and C.S.), Judy, Gregg and Neil.

There have been other occupants in this house namely the families of Ken Tully, Elmer Bulloch, Alex Cowan, George Jago and Bob Stewart. Ray and Joann Sauve purchased the house from B. Stewart in 1974. The proud owners maintained much of the original grandeur and beauty of the interior and the exterior.

In the early years, people entertained in their homes with several guests. Mrs. Muriel Guthrie remembers as a child dances that were held there. Those were good times, plenty of food and dancing. The rugs were rolled up and furniture pushed back for dancing. Many had violins, accordions, a piano or the old-fashioned mouth organ.

The original house was much smaller, facing the east, but there have been additions. Joann says this makes 19 outside walls.

A special feature to mention is it three-sided veranda wrapped around, with each side having an entrance to the interior.

One word describes the interior, “Grande” with its well-kept old doorway casings and the classy newel post and stairway. In one room is an old upright furnace register with the manufacture’s date of 1902. In another room is the original old fireplace with it cast iron front, surrounded by tiles instead of the usual brick. These special red tiles are approximately 2”x 5” and were imported from Italy. The same model fireplace on the second floor has turquoise tiles.

Visitors are welcome at the front door through the original glass framed door.