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Listowel’s Hardwood Haven is a treasure trove of history of both Listowel and several of its prominent citizens through the years. Our backyard is the sight of the abandoned shack where Listowel’s founder John Binning lived when he first came to this area with his wife and child in 1852. The story is that he climbed a tree every day for several weeks hoping to see or hear if there was anyone else in the area. Eventually a man came by, looking for his cow. He told Mr. Binning that a man by the name of Henry had built the shack and had gone west. West in those days was just a couple of miles in a westerly direction! John Binning purchased 200 acres and the abandoned shack for a rifle. They wrote the deal on a piece of birch bark with a stick from the fire. John eventually sold 100 acres to his father-in-law for a 2 barrels of flour and started severing off lots for the town of Listowel.

John Binning built a house on Penelope St. (now Barber St). Thomas Walker purchased this lot and built the original house which is now the back wing of Hardwood Haven. Their son, Horatio Walker, was born in 1858. Horatio was very artistic and is one of Canada’s famous artists with paintings in the National Art Galleries.

The house was sold to George Towner in 1860 who built the large Italianate style house that is now Hardwood Haven. Above the front door, we have the date of 1877 along with the inscription Hardwood to indicate when the house was built. Rumour had it that he actually gave the original house a quarter turn so he could see his tannery downtown. The two houses, with totally separate basements, are joined by the 4 story bell tower.

We are very grateful to George Towner for the wonderful house he built. It has stood the test of time and has allowed several families to enjoy many happy times. If only these walls could talk! When you come to visit, we would love to share with you the stories we know about other previous owners, mayors, gamblers, scoundrels and other ordinary folk like us. Oh yes, and if the Towner suite is available, don’t let me forget to show you the cartoon drawings in the tower left over from World War II and the view from the 4th level Belvedere.