(Main Image of Bettes Homestead Circa 1980, "The History of Brighton Businesses 1816-2009", Susan Brose, 2010)

Thank you for joining us once again as we take you on a tour through some of Brighton’s historic homes and properties.

The third in our 2021 Tour of Historical Homes in Brighton was situated directly East of Brighton’s “White House”, which was featured in our last blog in this series. The “Bettes Homestead” was built by Harrison C. Bettes and his wife, Caroline, at 2 Ontario Street (on the corner of Ontario and Main Streets) in 1844. The property backs onto the Butler Creek floodplain.

According to the Municipality of Brighton:

“The house was one of Brighton’s finest examples of Georgian Style Architecture. Typical of the style, it was a large two-story house with a gabled roof, and across the front had five upper windows and four lower windows with a centered main entrance. The façade was white clapboard.”(Brighton By-Law, 2012)

The corner of Ontario and Main was known early-on as “Bettes Corners” (Hyatt, 2016). The Municipality notes that “the area around the homestead was a centre of Brighton’s early economic development” (Plaque on property - image below). Now Main Street/Highway 2 follows closely to the old Kingston-York Road, which was completed in 1817. This stretch connected Toronto to Kingston, with “stage coaches [rumbling] along its rutted surface at weekly or semi-weekly intervals” (VanWicklin Genealogy). Butler Creek provided “a convenient source of power” and 2 hotels and several mills and other businesses were built nearby. (Municipality of Brighton).

The house remained a private residence throughout the 1900s and was designated as a property of cultural heritage value. It was sadly destroyed in a fire in 2008. The ruins sat until 2010.

In 2011, the property was acquired by the Municipality of Brighton and converted into the Rose Ellery Park. This park has had many volunteers adding to its beauty and natural value as a Brighton greenspace. In 2016, arbors, flowers, and trees were donated in conjunction with the Municipality, The Brighton Horticultural Society, and the Ontario Horticultural Association. The park also features 2 benches. The park was named after Brighton resident and long-time Town Councillor and volunteer, Rose Ellery (Hyatt, 2016).

(Image Credit: Jessica Wheeler, 2021) 

As you stroll through the streets of Brighton, keep your eyes peeled for the unique history and architecture of the historical homes and buildings. If you are interested in purchasing one of these unique properties, RE/MAX Quinte Realtors are experienced and part of the community. Keep an eye on our window at 41 Main Street in downtown Brighton for new listings!