 The year 1902 ushered in an era of prosperity for Collingwood, Ontario. Looking back on a busy building season, the Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin proudly reported that over $300,000 was spent on the erection of "fine factories, beautiful residences and splendid homes." None was more resplendent or more costly than the impressive residence designed in the Romanesque Revival Style by Collingwood architect Philip C. Palin for Dr. Donald McKay. At a time when substantial homes could still be built for $2,000.00 or less, the young doctor's house and office quarters cost a princely $15,000.00. Faced with prized pink-hued stone, hauled from the Credit Valley by horse and cart, and crowned with a gleaming slate roof, the two-and-a-half storey brick mansion was certainly unique in the Collingwood area. However it would have been right at home among the richly textured Romanesque houses that were favoured at the time by Toronto's wealthier citizens. The rose coloured McKay house festooned with swags and garlands, has the fairy-tale look of a wedding cake. Not surprisingly, the house was conceived as a wedding present for Dr. McKay's bride, Elsie, the eldest daughter of Charles Stephens, a wealthy Collingwood merchant. The home, which for a time also housed Dr. McKay's medical practice, remained in the McKay family until 1987 when it was converted to Christopher's Restaurant. The home is now Thurso House Bed and Breakfast.
--reprinted from "Collingwood Historic Homes and Buildings" with permission.
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