Famous Authors Incredible ABANDONED 1950's Mid Century Estate Home Forgotten in the Woods!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
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UPDATE: I was recently contacted by on of Bretons family members and here's what they had to say:
I’m a member of the extended Berton family. Noah, thanks for this perceptive while also infuriating look at what’s become of the home we spent decades enjoying. Pierre loved nothing more than having his large family at that house every weekend, and we all have wonderful memories there.
I’d like to clarify some points for you and your followers. Thanks to so many commenters for their kind words about Pierre; it also saddens us that so many younger people don’t know his work, and I encourage you to look it up. He is, as many said, a Canadian icon.
The house was indeed sold by the family after the passing of Pierre’s beloved wife Janet in 2015. However, the purchaser did nothing - absolutely nothing - with it, probably because, as one of the commenters suggested, it had been designated a heritage property, at Pierre and Janet’s behest, by the City of Vaughan. It’s quite true that as a property like this descends into ruin, there is no more heritage, and at some point no doubt the designation will come off and the value will skyrocket. My understanding is that the property has changed hands again since the first sale.
Now, what happened to the writers’ retreat Pierre mentioned back in the 1980s? It turned out that this was going to be a much more complicated idea than he realized - it would be very expensive to maintain, there were legal complications, and I don’t think institutions like nearby York University were very interested. So instead, Pierre bought his childhood home in Dawson City as a writers’ retreat, and that house is very much a going concern that I hope you will donate to via the Writers’ Trust of Canada.
One other item: in that interview, Pierre wished he had grandchildren. I am delighted to tell you, Noah, that all the names you rhymed off from the height chart are Pierre’s grandkids. We’re into great-grandchildren now.
And I hope people haven’t yet forgotten the hilarious interview Pierre, a committed weed smoker, did with Rick Mercer in 2004, just a couple of months before he died. You’lI see there are some more views of the garden, dining room and at the very end, the kitchen. I forget if links are allowed in comments - if this doesn’t show, just Google “RMR Celebrity Tip with Pierre Berton”. th-cam.com/video/MjYcP0Gji20/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for including the you tube clip, I remember it now and thought it was awesome at the time and still do.
While it saddens me to see what has happened to Pierre Burton's home, I had one question. The writing retreat. Was that the caboose that was being mentioned? I recall a news article about it being set in a part of the garden.
I love that house. A terrible loss. Vandals are dreadful people.
So, the guy was a pothead. Complete loss of respect.
'I hope you donate to the Writers Trust of Canada.' Absolutely NOT, all of that kind of stuff is total BS & a waste of anyone's time or money, either you can write or you can't, no one can help you, after you've left scholl, you've either got it, or you haven't, all you do is WRITE! Any organisation around this is just a money & prestige scheme to have nice drinks parties & pointless cahrity events, don't ever buy into it. Writers retreats are largely the same thing, yes you might need peace & quiet to write, but you just have to find that when & where you can, a 'retreat' is just a money maker for some bored B&B/ hotelier, just go to a cheap, isolated B&B. I'm not even sure why the family are even interested in this any more or how they know about this, after they sold it, tough, it's over, if they were that concerened, don't sell it. Sorry, but it's all just a bit whiney for me.
When I was a little girl my father used to take me to the Burton's home as I was allowed to swim there. They were the nicest people and very proud of their home and beautiful property. It really broke my heart watching this video as I remember what the estate looked like before. I wonder how many times it was sold and who owns the property now?
Who owns this now? Some irresponsible, ignorant bugger.
Please -- out of respect -- spell his name correctly.
A sobereing reminder of how what can seem so substantial to a person, is just merely a grain of sand waiting to be carried away in the wind. Thank you and well done!
Very well put
Your comment is the best one and sums up the human side of a home . Thanks .
If this is what is meant to be, his home will return to the land and his resting place will once again be part of the Canadian landscape he loved so much. There should at least be a stone monument on the property explaining that this is the resting spot of one of Canada's greatest writers, with a quote or two from Pierre
sobering.
Pierre Burton would be heartbroken to see this house in this condition .Why would anyone let this happen to his precarious retreat ? I feel heart sick .❤️
Me too, heart sick. And his ashes are scattered there. It's just not fair. How to denigrate a great man we love. Sorry Pierre. Poople please write Heritage Ontario or Heritage Canada and lobby for restoration. It's an iconic property and important to save for future generations!
@@carolfrancey3647 I'm an American, but I agree with you 100%...what a sad situation seeing such a nice house (and history!) being let go like this. There's still enough of it left to save IF someone get busy doing that SOON -- before there isn't.
Personally, I like the "Moderne" style as seen in America during the 1950s -- especially some built in California then...not very energy-efficient (as many had LOTS of glass) but still a timeless design, if you will. IN America, any that are let go but restored go for many millions of dollars.
One such example of a house let go (and subsequent owners doing NOTHING for it, same as here) is "Hilltop House" -- the Newton ("Newt") T. Bass house in Apple Valley, CA. Sad to see it now, and it will likely (if not already) be razed to the ground.
I hope this Pierre Berton house will be brought back (as it CAN be).
-- BR
@@11Eleven11Eleven Well, the PRC probably DOES need more "secret police stations" here in America... ;-)
-- BR
Why do people buy homes and then abandon-this should never had happen to this one
@@billredding2000 Mid century houses are so cool and retro and you indeed don't see much of anymore and if it had been maintained and even renovated to keep it's original the look, it would have been really been something to see today! But no it's left to rot....😢
The inclusion of Mr. Berton in and around his home was expertly done. We saw, not only the home as it was, but Mr. Berton's affinity for it. Making the connection between then and now breathed life into your story.
I wonder why his wishes for his house to become a writers retreat never happened. He left the house and half his money for that purpose. This house never should have been abandoned and allowed to decay. So sad.
It got misappropriated apparently. He must have trusted the wrong people. Sad.
@@beckyboman1641
That's what I see and yes it is sad.
Pierre was also a huge tv personality with his own TV show for many years This is Kleinburg
There were two houses, it seems that the residency occurred at the other house.
@@DanSwanson2070 yes but the house he referred to in the video was Kleinburg
I would say this is one of your best ones yet. The use of archival footage, and the matching of that footage with the homes current state…. Very effective! Very good.!!!
Steve.
Thanks Steve I really appreciate that! It's one of the first time I've been able to add footage like that so I'm glad you enjoyed it
Yeah man this one was really good, sad to see
As a Canadian, it's sad to see a beautiful former home of one of Canada's greatest writers being slowly turned into scrap. Especially after learning that he and his wife seem to have spent years building their dream and vision.
"As a Canadian" Are you saying that if you weren't Canadian, you would be okay with it?
@@jamie49868 I'm not Canadian, and I'm okay with it... if that helps any.
@@jimreadey4837 That's just super. However, I was asking gerald, but I'm glad you don't care, wherever you are from.
Hey,@@jamie49868, that's great to hear! Keep up the stellar work! I sure hope Gerald responds to your question because you've posed such a vital one.
@@jamie49868 (Please feel free to correct me on this @geraldd2109) That’s not what’s being said at all. As a Canadian, and given the fact that Pierre Berton is such a Canadian icon, they’re likely more familiar with who Mr. Berton was and as a result, @geraldd2109 culturally has a bit more of a vested interest than someone who is not Canadian and perhaps doesn’t know of Mr. Berton or his vast contributions to Canada. Thus, the shock of seeing the house of a much-beloved and revered Canadian in this state of neglect, it’s a bit more ‘personal’ and hits closer to home. As a Canadian, it’s exactly how I feel too.
As a Canadian living only a short drive from this property, I am shocked to think that Pierre Berton's former home is in decay. Pierre Berton did Canada proud. He was a great Canadian writer and thinker. His home is symbolic of what Canada is fast becoming.
Yep. Neo-liberal economics and short-sighted Liberals and Conservatives had gutted Canada over the last 40 years.
"His home is symbolic of what Canada is fast becoming" < Sad but true. What an embarrassment and a disgrace.
@@SteveWithers I think it is more of an issue of the Berton Estate as to how this property has become a lost legacy.
@@SteveWithers as Berton said…Canada’s decline started in 1967.
Yep (also).
We are rapidly regressing (the Woke Western World). I can't come even close to imagining the minds of those who destroyed this once amazing home. The one thing I can guarantee, is that they will never amount to anything even close to Pierre Burton.
Pierre Berton's original childhood home in Dawson City, Yukon Territory is a writer's retreat (several friends have been writer-in-residence there). There's a benefit in Toronto every year to support it. Really appreciate this video and the archival footage!
I was friends with the Berton Family and was in the house a number of times. It is shocking yet reasonable that nature and vandalism has reduced it to such a state.
The original house design was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and designed by Bill McCrow. The origianl house was built by A.O. Miller Custom Contracting and the extension by Esto Construction, who originally worked with A.O. Miller.
Pierre had laudable aims when he expressed his wishes to make the property a writer's retreat. But don't blame the family for its dereliction. They had to sell the Estate and, it is my opinion, because the house was an historically designated house it has suffered the lamentably usual fate of designated structures: demolition through dereliction.
Unfortunate but it's something that happens quite a lot with historic homes. Because of the restrictions around what can/can't be done with them and regulations, they can be fairly expensive to remodel and maintain. Sometimes an owner can afford to and it works out great. But often because of that they are abandoned and either never get renovated, or someone starts a renovation and only gets a little into it before they realize these issues and quit. The result is this sad state where a home is historically important but in shambles.
Wonder why the family had to sell the Estate? Just curious, if they all had enough $ (although I like how he said he was leaving the 8 kids money - but he didn’t think they needed too much, smart man!).
I’d cry if my Dad built this from nothing and it was left to rot 😢!
@@Dozenfury88 compared to Europe speaking of Germany and The Netherlands f.i. maintaining and preserving historical buildings is not high on the agenda in this country unfortunately.
So sad. A a Canadian this shocks the hell out of me. I could see his beloved home becoming a museum to his literature. But this? Never in a million years did I envision this.
I'm a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright - and have visited a number of his works including the Darwin D. Martin house in Buffalo and the SC Johnson HQ in Racine, WI. FWIW - upon seeing this first parts of this video I wondered if it might have been inspired by FLW work - and I'm delighted to learn that it was. Such a shame that it's in the state that it's in. I'd be interested in knowing more and, if I could, take on a restoration project.
I love how you incorporated the original footage of the author in this video. It give us the author’s perception of how how he cherished his family, his home, his property and his love of writing books. His dream of leaving his home for a retreat for future writers to visit, showed how much he wanted to inspire them to continue writing. It’s a shame that it’s been demolished by vandalism and now left to decay. He lived a good life and he seemed to be immensely happy. This was a HUGE mid century retro house. I must say this is one your best video’s yet! Well done Noah.
Don't just blame the VANDALS,BLAME THE FOOL'S HE LEFT IT TOO AND HIS FOOLISH DECISION NOT TO KEEP IT WITH IN THE FAMILY
"I don't think my Kids should get too much" ... sounds like an Asshole even using the occult word ... instead of the loving and accurate word ... Children.
I was thinking the same thing. It really added a lot to the video. Albeit, extra sad.
That was a Mid century modern mansion, not a bungalow. It was rare and awesome to see old footage of the original owner inside of the home!
It is not what we call a "Mansion" because it is much too small and only one story high. The name Bungalow has been used so much by realters to describe so many different houses now the definition has become rather ambiguous. The only thing we usually see in a bungalow is only one story, occasionally two, in a more rural setting and much smaller than a mansion which is a a minimum two story house over 5,000 sq ft.
It's definitely a bungalow.
He'd be very sad if he knew what happened to the retreat he left to future authors. I find it so disrespectful that his final wishes were never acknowledged. Great video, thanks Noah!
And Pierre's ashes are scattered there. So disrespectful of the writers. Lobby Heritage Canada to save this sacred site.
All good things must come to an end
Since the 1950's Canadian children grew up reading the stories and books of PIERRE BERTON one of the most influential citizens of the last century. Many of us also watched him on Television on many different shows like "The Pierre Berton Show" or "Front Page Challenge" or narrating one of his documentaries like "The National Dream", that was required watching in all Canadian Schools. His books were beautifully written, too detailed for some, but immensely popular. I'll always remember spending one Christmas night looking out a window at the mighty Niagara River just north of Queenston Heights while reading his book "The Invasion of Canada" his first book in a series about The War of 1812. I just just happened to be reading the chapter of the "Battle of Queenston Heights" so the next day went to the battleground. He brought dry history to life by focusing on the people involved and his presence was felt across the nation.
As for the house, it's disgraceful it was allowed to fall into disrepair like this but as of now I don't know who to blame.
His Canadiana books are more relevant than ever. Every kid In the public school system would get a professional level Canadiana history like they don't get now, -or maybe never did - and need as we all do.
I am beyond disgusted and appalled at what has become of Pierre Berton's home in the past 19 years. This is a national disgrace.
@@memoryroom6388 Not the government, the private agency.
@@memoryroom6388 he had explicit reasons, as is partially indicated in the video by him in the interview.
The Writers’ Trust of Canada (formerly the Writers’ Development Trust) does not own this home, though I see in the archival CBC video you included that he said he planned to leave it to us in his will...We do own his childhood home in Dawson City, Yukon, and run it as a writers’ retreat that has benefitted 100s of Canadian writers over the years.
@@enlightndark6671 the whole thing makes me wonder, what happened and why? Plus, since he likely wrote most of his stories and articles at this home near Vaughn that it should have been the top priority for preservation.
At this point, Canada only has national disgraces. Time to end the project. Wexit....
My Dad was a long time friend of the Bertons, I was there several times in the 60's and 70's. Exceptionally beautiful home with a ton of kids. We snuck into his liquor storage. good times
My Grandfather was Fred Bodsworth and a good friend of Pierre and Janet. They included my Grandma Bodsworth's recipe for butter tarts in the Berton Family Cook Book.
This was so sad. I can’t believe this was just left to decay. I wonder why the family let it go? Thanks for another unusual exploration.
Sounds like from his own comments he didn’t leave it to his kids.
@@toomignon He left half of it to kids. It was his dream. His alone.
Maybe it costs too much with taxes ,utilities etc . Canada is not an affordable place for home ownership
Looks to me like it was ALWAYS an UGLY POS in the middle of nowhere. That's why the kids abandoned it.
more people need to see this kind of thing. This is what happens after you pass---the STUFF you accumulated is meaningless to anyone else. Your kids don't want it, your profession doesn't want it, your community doesn't want it. Get rid of it. Stop buying, stop accumulating and downsize your life. Time with your family is the only worthwhile investment. Make your time about them, not houses, cars, etc, because as we see in this genre of video, it has no value to anyone else and ends up a rotting mess.
Thought about this for a long time. On the flip side, you are "living to die" or sacrificing the many wonderful things life has to offer while we are here. What does it matter now that the house is a wreck. It was enjoyed while the people were alive. As were all the things that they owned. I'm guessing a lot of time was spent with the people in their lives. Accumulation of stuff doesn't mean you don't love your family and friends or have time for them. All things in basic moderation, of course. 🙂
Excellent comment. For years I collected hardcover books, fiction and nonfiction. I would try to meet the authors at booksignings when they visited Chicago. I loved my collection of signed books and dreamed of the day that I would leave them to my children, nieces, or nephews, or sell them on Ebay. Now it's twenty years later, and no one in my family has the least interest in my signed books, and there's an overabundance of signed books on Ebay that are selling for next to nothing. You're right -after we're gone, everything we valued decays, and gets scattered to the four winds. Sad but true.
Swedish death cleaning(?)
Yep. All of the stuff the Pharohs left is ruined junk. It was supposed to last forever. Their graves were looted.
I hear you. After my parents died, I & my 4 brothers had to handle the estate. There were so many things, heilooms, collectables, & such, which old maid aunts & ancestors had left to my parents. Some of the things us guys appreciated, but we are older now, & our kids had absolutely no interest in any of it, so we had to sell or give it all away. My ancestors & old maid aunts thought, that they were doing us a favor by saving & passing things down, but it only takes a generation or so, and things don't mean anything, anymore! Why carry it all around & keep up with it? Sure it's a shame, but it's reality.
I suppose, that schools teaching history as only awful things, & cultural changes contributing to kids these days, not caring about legacy items which may contain object lessons, but it's likely, that it's always been this way to one extent or another.
Awesome video, Noah Perrier Burton was huge I always enjoyed listening to what he had to say. Like many families back in the 50s, 60s,70s they build houses as they could afford it unless you were financially able to get one build.
They must had some good barbecues and pool parties as well.
Perrier Burton???? Who the F is that??? Dyslexic much? Wow. Talk about butchering someone's identity.....
Surprised that no one has mentioned that his mother Laura Beatrice Berton wrote the pre-eminent book on the Klondike Gold Rush titled "I Married the Klondike." Her husband was an engineer who for a time worked on a dredging project south of Dawson City and this book has the best description of the labors involved in thawing ground prior to dredging by using steam points driven into the ground and feeding an on site wooden fired boiler to supply the steam. It also had a detailed and precise description of what social life was like around Dawson City at the turn of the last century. If you're interested in mining and the Klondike Gold Rush I can recommend no better book!
No wonder all the trees are gone up in the Yukon ...
I was lucky enough to find this rare out of print book (I Married the Klondike) years ago at a Thrift store that was written by his mother. I can see Pierre got his love of writing and storytelling from his mother. It is one of the best books written about the gold rush before, during and the aftermath. I read his mother's book, followed by Pierre's book Klondike and a few months later visited all the areas mentioned in both books, which brought the stories to life and made me appreciate and understand what I was seeing during my travels. So sad to see Pierre's former home abandoned and neglected, no one wants to admit ownership of the property and letting it fall into its current state. More than likely bought from the beneficiaries who didn't want it nor could afford the upkeep and is probably owned by a developer who is holding onto the valuable property for future development.
@@user-kp1jk5fe4v There are lots of trees in the Yukon.What are you talking about?
@@jabom99 Perhaps there were more before they were chopped down to feed boilers to thaw the ground? The land around the Dawson City area has been heavily altered in the search for gold, and the few trees around there are deciduous in the valleys. I just wonder if the conifers were all removed for steam dredging.
When l was 10 years old l read "The Secret World Of Og" by Pierre Berton. It is my favourite book from my childhood. As an adult l read it to my four kids at bedtime. I finally was able to obtain a copy to own- as a treat to myself for my 60th birthday. It is the kind of book that fuels the imagination of the hearts of children or those of us that retain a bit of the child in our heart. What l wouldn't give to have the money to buy and restore this house. It's heartbreaking and sad to see it like this, and just knowing given this was our beloved Pierre Berton's home, it's really shocking that some Canadian fan out there somewhere didn't scoop this treasure up long ago!! Can you just imagine it restored & updated?? Omg, especially the beautiful outdoor spaces restored, wow, that would be something!💖🍀🐾🌈☮️🇨🇦
P.S. Find your inner little child everyone - read "The Secret World Of Og"-- the kids in the book are based on his real children!!🤗🧸
I was thinking I’d never heard of this man or anything that he’d written, but not only did I read this book, I acted in a play of it! That was way back in 1964 when I was 10.
@@hebneh Omgoodness! What a beautiful memory!!- Thank ❤️ You so much for sharing it! Have a wonderful weekend!🤗💖🍀🐾🌈☮️🇨🇦
Loved the archival footage in this. What a crying shame this wasn’t kept as a museum or something
I find it disturbing to see such a classic home so ruined.
Wow talk about a "Blast from the Past" ! As soon as I saw the picture on youtube I knew I recognized that house. Back in the early 70's my friend and I went there to pick up Pierre's son Peter ( my friend knew him) and I remember being in a room full of books (probably the library) there were at least 3 or 4 cats sleeping on the books in the shelves. Funny that's what I remember most about that day. Thanks for sharing your adventure, sorry to see a beautiful house in such a dismal state!
Holy Moly, I hadn't thought about Pierre Berton in ages!
It is indeed sad to see Berton's house in such a state. He was more than just a great Canadian author, he was also an extremely well-known television personality. If you were a Canadian kid in the '60s, you knew who Pierre Berton was. He had many shows on TV in the 60s and 70s. Most of us only had two channels to watch, so it was hard to miss him. Until now, I didn't realize how much I missed him. He was a great Canadian, an engaging storyteller, a quick wit and a fascinating character in his own right.
And a pot user for over 40 years!
Wow. What a beauty!! So sad it wasn’t saved.
Great video Noah! I remember seeing Pierre Burton on tv as a kid. He was a famous Canadian. Sad no one was able to keep his mansion/property, now it's left to looters and nature.
When I looked on Wikipedia, it said his childhood home in Dawson City was made into a writer's retreat. I'm curious why that one, not this one. Also, why wouldn't his family sell the property if they didn't want it instead of letting it fall apart? It also said his cremated remains were spread at his home in Kleinburg -- this home?
DEFINITELY APPRECIATE an abandoned house explore that includes RESEARCH….. And even MORE like THIS that has actual video of its previous inhabitants 🏅👌🏿
I try my best to provide information and on the rare occasions actual video of the last owners in each video. Can't always but I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching
Once went to this architectural oasis near Kleinburg, Ontario for a party with my party-partner and 2nd cousin, J. Richard Brown. Richard was a university friend of Peter Berton, son of writer Pierre. It was the mid ‘70s and we partied hard! Somehow, my cousin and I woke up from sleeping in an orchard (I think?). After mimosas, we were able to drink back to Toronto. Yup, a fun evening was had by all in this magnificent home (parents away travelling?). This video is 5-star … and the archival footage terrific. Was Ron Thom the modernist architect? Seem to recall that Peter Berton was an architect. Thx for the memory prompt. 💙
Drink = drive 😄
I'm envious. 🥺👍
The way you integrated the footage in makes this so incredible by seeing the man in his home as it was. Wow!
It's seems that many of you are concerned about this home and have contacted the Writers trust of Canada about it.
They contact me with the following information:
The Writers’ Trust of Canada (formerly the Writers’ Development Trust) does not own this home, though I see in the archival CBC video you included that he said he planned to leave it to us in his will. This all pre-dates me by many years, so I can’t tell you what happened, only that we do not own it now. We do own his childhood home in Dawson City, Yukon, and run it as a writers’ retreat that has benefitted 100s of Canadian writers over the years.
Please refrain from contacting them about the home as it's not there's to deal with
- Noah
Theirs.
I'm compelled to mention that I wasn't one of the ones that got your butt chewed Noah!
😇👍
@@marxfish ®Right!! Writers Trust of Canada. Come on people.
Oh interesting. He was born in Whitehorse but then moved to Dawson City.
It’s very sad to see what vandals did to the place.If they were old enough to know better they (if caught)should’ve been beaten savagely.The interviewer in this video was Eric Malling (ish).He passed away many years ago and I don’t remember CBC even mentioning it.He profiled as I recall countries and people who were fiscally responsible.
Just goes to show, you cannot control anything from your grave. How absolutely disappointing for this man, that his beloved house has ended up this way. What a loss and complete disregard of his wishes and an insult to his legacy. I see Pierre died in 2004, did he live there until the end? The home has been reclaimed by nature quite quickly if he did reside there until the end. Very very sad
Think he moved to an apartment on Isabella St in mid-Toronto. It would have been near (within walking distance) of the CBC broadcasting buildings spitted in the area. One of my dear friends lived in the same bldg.
The Canadian heritage society should step up and bring this house & property back to its original state , Mr.P.Breton was a true Canadian author and loved this great country it would be a tribute to him and his family so visitors could come and see the place that inspired him to write all his books.
Too late. Can't rehab this. Demolish.
@@willbass2869 Call up Mike Holmes! lol
I really enjoyed this video! Sure is sad to see this home in this state. I’m surprised no one took it over. So much hard work went into that home.
This is so sad. Pierre Berton is a Canadian icon. 😢
I enjoyed this house 🏠 ☺. Sad that it couldn't be saved 😢. Thanks for sharing 👍 😀 😊 ❤
I really liked that format, it was cool to see the old footage throughout the video. Thanks for sharing!
I can't believe that the city of (nevermind) didn't preserve his home....not only was he a very important Canadian icon but he did so much for the village he chose to live in....what a shame - it could have been made into a landmark....
Such a shame Kleinberg which is in the City of Vaughan hasn’t done any restoration. I agree, Berton did so much for the town. Like he says in the video footage, he could have gone to the US, but stayed here for his people. Shame on the town.
For some reason it reminds me of pictures of Frank LLoyd Wright's homes - the openness and nature right there, but I'm no expert...there isn't a lot of rot it doesn't seem, and a lot of the framework is still intact. Maybe your video might inspire someone to look again...Thanks for sharing and all of the research. I never hear of this writer, but I love reading.
This left me speechless. How can the home of one of Canada's greatest authors end up like this?
I met Pierre Berton in 1971. He was at his peak. His books about the building of the railroad across Canada are awesome. I recommend “The Last Spike” to any Canadian or anyone interested in Canadian history.
Amazing explore. One of your best yet. I love how you interspersed the interview with your explore. Seeing the fireplace in its original condition was chilling. Looks like scavengers systematically took the place apart for the piping and wiring. Weird how some rooms were untouched. I have to look this guy up.
What a sin to see Pierre's home in this state. It must have been stunning. Loved his work, Pierre, along with Farley Mowatt, are THE Canadian authors, for me. Such a shame this home couldn't become one, once more. Thanks for showing this.
It just shows that when your gone stuff doesn’t matter as much to the future generations. It’s just reality like collectibles often children aren’t interested in anything parents collected,
I know exactly where this house is (won't mention the town). I went to grade school with Burton's son Paul in that town. I'm pretty sure the height notches on the door jam are grandchildren. It's criminal that the house has come to this.
Sometimes, as a challenge I like to find the locations of these bandos.
It took me a total of about five hours to find it on google earth. 🤫
Not much to see there (aerial view only, too much foliage for steet view)
I know no one in the Burton family.
I'd visit it myself but I live in Maryland. 🇺🇸
I thought it was already mentioned, Kleinburg.
@@JohnShinn1960 5 hours!???
@@skeena59
Yes, 5hrs AFTER knowing Klienburg, Klienburg was my starting point.
I didn't do the whole 5hrs in one sitting, more like a few days.
@@skeena59
We're talkin about the EXACT location of the home, not just the town.
I saw where someone tried to burn it.. Why would someone do that? Makes me sick. This property should be protected
Great explore, love the archive footage. I will need to check this author out! Its sad that his vision for his home wasnt realised
Yes, I wonder why that happened.
Pierre is still there.
He was cremated and his ashes spread around the property.
I just read that on the wiki. Sad that his family didn't take care of the property based on that fact alone :(
@@StillBloom Agreed. And he had eight children - I would've thought at least one of them would've considered preserving the property given the longevity he had living there - something like 50 years.
Great video interspersed with the documentary footage with the late Eric Malling, whatever happened to the management by the Writers' Development Trust that Berton says was receiving his house and property for use by writers? Upkeep would have been expensive with a flat roof, but the land is prime. Liked the pink telephone book cubby beneath the wall mounted phone in the kitchen.
He had another home which was donated and fixed up in the Yukon, so I guess this one wasn't a good option. Google Yukon Burton House Writers' Retreat. Opening with and mixing old footage really gave the video an authentic and nostalgic feel. My favorite video of yours so far. I never heard of him until this video.
nice pool tho 👍🏻
He was such a major personality when i was a kid - sad to see the forgotten remnants and how 'small' we all are ultimately even the mighty....
Thank you for taking the extra time to add the historical footage. It made the explore more interesting.
Noah, Thank you so much for this video. It was very well shot and documented. I'm so glad to have the back story on this house. I've seen it in other videos and the architecture was puzzling. Seeing the work he put into it piece by piece and that he actually designed it makes total sense. Creative people have visions and put it in motion and he created something I couldn't have imagined turning out so beautiful. In the height of it's prime it held its own with the best of the best. The landscaping was gorgeous and the modern mid-century design made it a dream come true. It is just devastating to know he thought of young writers and left it for them and that is what is left of it. His dream, he really should have left it to his kids or grandchildren. Now I'm going to do research to see if I can see the whole house and why it looks like an atomic bomb has been dropped on it. Take care, stay safe and God bless! xo 💞 Kat
I'd be interested to find out what your research shows!
Interested also in what you find?
So sad ! He seemed very proud of his home. Don’t know why someone would let that beautiful house go to waste .
Unbelievable, the state of this home today. In the mid-1980's I photographed Pierre Burton at this home for either McLeans Magazine or Toronto Life, can't remember which. I sat in for a very genial interview with the writer on the back patio as well. He seemed like a really nice guy. It's shocking that the home of a Canadian literary icon like Pierre Burton wasn't treated better.
Berton. :) Some people who knew him say he was an arrogant SOB!
It is a shame that people would destroy this place.thanks for sharing 😊
You won't lose much by betting against current generation....
Thank you, such a tragedy, this place should be bustling with authors and offspring! This happened to Tiffany mansion on Long Island, I think he thought he had left to a trust as well. Unconscionable no agency swept in to save his hard labored labor of love. Stunning that you found archival footage of the hey day, bringing it to life!
Pierre Berton was among Canada's best-known writers and was chiefly well regarded as a sober popularizer of Canadian history. He worked at the Vancouver News-Herald (beginning in 1942), the Vancouver Sun (1945-47), Maclean's (starting in 1947), and the Toronto Star (1958-62).
1 of my favorite videos of yours, really bizarre beautiful house. That man was ahead of his time. Hopefully we will see more of these beautiful videos. Greetings from the Netherlands my friend
This leaves me feeling very sad, but I’m happy I got too see it. Thank you for this video, great work.
Pierre Berton IS my favourite author. Period.
One evening in the mid-eighties I arranged to meet some friends for dinner at a well-known Toronto steakhouse. I took a 30-minute streetcar ride there, so to pass the time I grabbed a dog-eared copy of one of my favourite books, "Vimy".
When I walked into the restaurant, there he was sitting at a table with a companion. I desperately wanted to just say hello, but I really wanted him to sign my book. I didn't have the courage to interrupt his dinner, and I have regretted it ever since. I'd like to think he would be amused by someone walking into a steakhouse carrying one of his books!
I was very saddened by his passing. However, we will always have his works. They are Canadian treasures, as was he.
great story
So sad to see so much work, and his heart put into this place and it’s just been destroyed and ruined
Pierre Berton was one of Canada's most important writers/public figures. I have always admired him tremendously. I had the pleasure of meeting him once at a book signing shortly before he passed. It's fascinating to see this video, but terribly sad too. If only this residence could have been converted into some kind of writer's residence to honour his memory. It's really a shame.
He died in 2004. Berton House writers retreat began in 1996 at his boyhood home. He was a founding member of the Writer's Trust of Canada. He would have at least been aware if not involved in the retreat being created not at this location but another.
A really nice house Noah, i bet it was a beauty in its prime. Think i saw a pool in your drone footage. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Sad this house wasnt saved
What a strange legacy for him to leave. PB was indeed one of Canada’s most famous writers and he was a very skilled promoter and businessman as well. The house was a beautiful mid century piece but today a complete abandoned ruin. There must have been issues between the family and other beneficiaries of his sizeable estate. The house was not willed to anyone in his family and who knows what happened to the “trust” lol.
Great video! The “rack thing” under the wall phone in the kitchen was to hold the phone book. 🙂 Growing up, I’d often find my dad reading the latest Pierre Berton book.
You do a great job explaining the layout. I really enjoyed this video. Thank you ☺️
Fascinating video. Although the state of disrepair is shocking, with vision and some sweat equity, that house could be restored and put to use with some love and TLC. I wonder who owns it now and where exactly it is located.
Loved this and the flashbacks of the old video matching up the rooms. Really enjoyed this. Thanks
Great video Noah, Mr Berton was an important influential Canadian. Sad to see his house destroyed like this. With all of the drywall or plaster board torn off, I wonder if the vandal’s were after all of the copper wiring and plumbing inside?
Probably, tweakers do what they do.
Very interesting story. I noticed the noise of a freeway in the background, which for many works against creative cultivation in writing. The kiss of death for many properties is a donation to a group, foundation, or organization. If you want your property to have a legacy and live on put it up for sale as a single family home and let someone else add value. That will give your property a better chance of legacy. The author was the creator of this property, but also the author of its demise through legal choices.
Thank you for sharing your findings with everyone. I am horrified to see that this Canadian icon's dream home has been abandoned and fallen to ruin. What a tragedy. I hope that someone will step in and investigate this situation further and see it get into the right hands to have it put to rights again. For his family, I can only imagine that this will be heart-breaking for them to watch. Thank you for doing your homework and bringing this sad situation to light.
The archival footage vs the condition now was very poignant. I wonder what happened? The author was going to leave it to be a writer's retreat, but that obviously didn't happen. Very cool exploration!
Your channel has quickly become a favorite of mine! Thanks for another awesome video 😊
Thank you so much😊
Before we all get too sad, he and his wife built this house so he could work and they raised a family there. The house served its purpose. And like my grandparents who cleared land in Saskatchewan in the 1930s, they all worked with their hands and minds to build a country. If there is any sadness here is that we who came after don't seem to appreciate it.
What a sad ending to what was once a stunning mid-century style home.
It lookslike the decay began with neglect and was finished off by vandals and copper theives.
Wonder why the writers retreat the author spoke of failed, and why his now grown children did not attempt to save this magnificent property...
That was phenomenal and very sad at the same time!! Would love to see how it looked when they lived in it!! Was the group he left it to not able to take it?? So sad it’s left in such condition!! Thanks for sharing!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖
Wow, I'm really surprised that the place has been abandoned. However it is kind of old. I had a boyfriend that lived in that area and my mom lived around there too. It was also rumored that clothing was optional at his house. I guess after living in the house with no doors or windows they figured what the heck, clothes don't matter anymore.
I think he was ahead of his time and remember him advocating for 'optional clothing' as well as supporting the principals introduced at Rochdale College - I would have really liked to have met him!
I knew someone who was a frequent visitor at his now sadly abandoned home, and I was told a similar story about clothing being optional.
Is he a hedonist
@@eyeswideopen7777 Could have been. I heard the parties he had in this now abandoned home could be pretty wild. He also could have been a practising Nudist or "Naturalist" as they are sometimes politically correctly called. Don't want to offend our Easily Upset/Meltdown members of society!
I love how you’ve inserted a video of what the house looked like with Pierre in its glory and than what it looks like now , nice touch
Nice video work and editing. It was awesome being able to see some of the original footage of the home to compare to the now sad state it is in. Again, great work.
It was amazing seeing those double ovens. Toronto Life magazine used to print Pierre Burtons Morton Thompson recipe for Christmas Turkey. A very elaborate affair to make, but truly worth it. So seeing where Pierre himself cooked his turkey was a nice treat. Thanks for the tour. By the way I met Pierre a few times and have his autographed copy of The Last Spike, a very good book worth reading.
It was great yes, seeing the place where Pierre basted his turkey. It was also great - seeing his kitchen.
Thanks that was awesome house sad torn apart
I love the use of the archival footage to see what the house looked like in all it's grandeur. Wonderful opportunity to have that! The pink bathroom trend was due to Mamie Eisenhower popularizing the trend, the color became known as “Mamie Pink.” Approximately 1/4 off the new homes built between 1946 and 1966 were Mamie pink. The home that I grew up in was built in 1960 and had a mint green sink, toilet and tub with 4 inch pink tile on the walls in one of the bathrooms. The sink had the silver metal band around the top to out line it. I love what you are doing with these videos. Thank you!
What a great spot! Such a shame to see it just rotting away and in such disrepair
That was actually sad to watch ...what a waste of a beautiful historic home.
The various names on the Height Lines on the doorway where probably the names of his 8 children & 18 grandchildren. Berton died at age 84 of heart failure. His ashes were scattered on this property.
I agree, would be grandchildren in the 90’s.
Beautiful house. Reminds me of a traditional Japanese home with the sliding, paned doors. This house can be brought back to its former glory as the 'bones' are good (love the cedar closet and wine room in the basement), the stone masonry is solid inside and out, and the pool can be sandblasted and repainted, and the gardens restored. I wonder if it's even on the market?
This was a very sad especially when you showed where they they kept track of the growth of the grandkids we do the same thing
a lot of those names were his kids, not grandkids! I recognize the names. I lived in that area and worked in the hardware store in Maple. Saw his wife and a couple of the daughters quite often. He wasn't the nicest man especially when he'd been drinking, which happened a LOT.
Pierre Francis de Marigny Berton, CC, O.Ont. (July 12, 1920 - November 30, 2004) was a Canadian writer, journalist and broadcaster. Berton wrote 50 best-selling books, mainly about Canadiana, Canadian history and popular culture. ~ Thank You! Well Done. ~ Peace & Health to Us All.
Pierre Burton was a huge icon of Canada. Have many of his books. Thanks for this.
I was in this house when I was in high school. There was a player piano on the main floor and Mr. Burton had a large collection of piano rolls for it. It’s tragic that it has been abandoned. There are. Lot of very expensive properties right near it.
Play it again, Sam!
Back in the 1980 I did some service work at their house and met Janet. We did some electrical work in the pool house. The pool house had a cardboard sign that said “ No O Henry bars near the pool” this was a joke sign in reference to the bill Murray movie Caddy Shack, where a kid throws a O Henry bar into the pool and the guests think it’s a turd. Also have fond memories of Pierre walking about in his 1800 attire with top hat and walking stick at the Klienburg Binder twine fair, held annually in the fall. This was in the 1970s.
really cool
Pierre Berton was an amazing writer and icon in Canada. Thank you for sharing. In Kleinberg, we had the Bindertwine Festival which Breton was a host of, as well as being a famous writer. He is and always will be a favourite Canadian icon of mine. What a shame and so sad about his house. The angel stone is great and would be such a great potential retreat.
Cathy
I am absolutely shocked that his home was treated this way. Such a disappointment to see that young people do not remember him as he is such a famous person. What a crying shame!
Young people can't afford to even rent.