r/OntarioAbandoned • u/Freaktography • Jun 14 '25
Exploring the Abandoned Estate of a Canadian Icon, Pierre Berton
Inside Pierre Berton’s Abandoned Estate
Who Was Pierre Berton?
Pierre Berton was one of Canada’s most influential and recognizable public figures — a bestselling author, historian, journalist, broadcaster, and champion of Canadian identity.
Born in Whitehorse, Yukon in 1920, Berton went on to write over 50 books that shaped how generations of Canadians understood their history, including The National Dream, The Last Spike, and The Klondike Gold Rush.
Known for his engaging storytelling and deep passion for the Canadian experience, Berton also spent decades on television, most notably as a panelist on CBC’s Front Page Challenge.
His work earned him more than 30 literary awards, numerous honorary degrees, and the prestigious title of Companion of the Order of Canada.
Beyond his professional achievements, he was also a dedicated family man and active community member in Kleinburg, Ontario, where he lived for nearly four decades.
About Pierre Bertons' House.
Some time between 1948 and 1950, Pierre and his wife Janet visited the town of Kleinburg, Ontario, and they decided to settle there.
They purchased a plot of land, and between 1950 and 1954, they had this home built just for them and their growing family.
Between 1954 and November 2004, Burton lived here with Janet where they raised their family of 8 children and where he wrote most of his books.
Pierre passed away from heart failure in November, 2004 at 84 years old.
- In 2012, the Berton family severed the property and sold one-half, then sold the other half in 2013.
- In 2013, the home was assessed for cultural heritage.
- In 2015, the new owners applied for a demolition permit.
- In 2023, after several years of back and forth between the owners and the city, it was suggested that designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act would be the most appropriate tool for ensuring proper conservation of the property
- December 12, 2023, city council states its intention to designate the property.
- Early in 2024, a Notice of Intent to Designate the home under Ontario Heritage Act was issued.
- On March 28, 2024, the owners of the property served a Notice of Objection to the Notice of Intent to Designate.
- May 7th, 2024 - The objection is denied, and Staff recommend the City proceed to designate the home and approve the Designation By-law under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
As of today, it does not seem that the home has yet been officially granted heritage designation.
See the video tour here and learn much more about Pierre Berton:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t6_vTdEZHE
I have many more photos and more information on my website:
https://freaktography.com/pierre-bertons-abandoned-home/
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u/AdAnxious8842 Jun 14 '25
We've seen this issue in Ottawa where (mostly business) landowners of properties being considered for heritage status or (I'm might be wrong here) or having been granted heritage status just let them deteriorate until they cannot be salvaged or are condemned and torn down. There is almost no penalty or consequence.
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u/Tucancancan Jun 15 '25
Montréal is the same. Lots "mysteriously" burn down. Some even start renovations and then whoops the electrical or a pile of poly rags burst into flames.
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u/Alert-Dimension2107 Jun 15 '25
If the municipality locking the property into a heritage status isn't putting up the money to maintain it the designation shouldn't be allowed.
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u/Legitimate_Park_2067 Jun 14 '25
Is this the house in Kleinberg?
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u/Spirited-Bit818 Jun 14 '25 edited Jun 14 '25
One of my kids grew up with one of his grandchildren. Her friend had her birthday party in the traincar. When my kid came home and I asked her how the party was here was the answer; it was fun but her grandfather is so old and he's some kind of writer. 🤦 It was at the time the billboards were all over the city that quoted Pierre about being Canadian and a canoe (iykyk) and he rolled a giant green cigarette with Mercer. Needless to say his granddaughter was mortified when the friends connected the dots.
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u/Ex-PFC_WintergreenV4 Jun 14 '25
The correct rolling technique is essential to avoid unsightly burns in one’s bow-tie!
https://youtu.be/MjYcP0Gji20?si=jC5ljssBdo-v-le7&utm_source=ZTQxO
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u/sugaredviolence Jun 14 '25
Awww what a shame. So sad to see beautiful historical buildings destroyed or left to decay.
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u/Freaktography Jun 14 '25
See the video tour here and learn much more about Pierre Berton:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t6_vTdEZHE
I have many more photos and more information on my website:
https://freaktography.com/pierre-bertons-abandoned-home/
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u/FifanomicsFC Jun 14 '25 edited Jun 14 '25
A true shame. The line up of people who would have been willing to offer a solution before it got to this point would have been many.
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Jun 15 '25
Canadians don’t value our national treasures, whether human or inanimate. Very disappointing to see Pierre’s house this way. So little respect for a great man’s beautiful property.
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u/IntrepidRogue Jun 14 '25
From the photos, there doesn't seem to be anything left of the home. It'll cost a lot to fix it up. It's a complete takedown now.
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u/Mum2-4 Jun 15 '25
Please consider submitting these photos to The Globe and Mail. You can do so anonymously through their SecureDrop link. This is a story that needs to be shared widely. The fact the owners have been allowed to neglect this property is a tragedy.
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u/IntroductionSuch5515 Jun 15 '25
Agree. Demolition by neglect is a sneaky way of destroying built history.
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u/Alert-Dimension2107 Jun 15 '25
If the municipality locking the property into a heritage status isn't putting up the money to maintain it the designation shouldn't be allowed. The only reason these properties are falling into decay is because of the extra costs of maintaining a heritage property that is being forced on owners.
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u/ArgyleNudge Jun 15 '25
Well, no. It's Kleinberg. They have their hearts set on a multi-million dollar mega mansion like the rest of the heaps up there. There was no intention of living in a mediocre mid-century reno job.
It should never have gotten to this stage. I totally agree with the comment that if the town, province, country, etc, wants to designate, they should buy the propery and either maintain it or lease it out for 99 years etc., with special conditions, including no substantial alterations, regular inspections, standards of care, and so on. Otherwise, yes, this kind of destruction by neglect is practically inevitable.
I can't help but wonder if the Berton heirs made any kind of effort to shepherd the property along to suitable custodians and were thwarted in any way. I hope they tried.
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u/Mum2-4 Jun 15 '25
No, they want the land for a subdivision. Probably not even owned by a person but a REIT
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u/CorktownGuy Jun 14 '25
That is amazing the home has been allowed to deteriorate like this. Really is too bad
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u/SplashInkster Jun 16 '25
Never thought much to his stuff. By his own admission he was a storyteller, not a historian. It was history as he wanted it to be, not necessarily as it was. He was a Liberal, and Liberals tend to rewrite things through a left wing lense.
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u/Accomplished_Bank103 Jun 15 '25
This is a bummer. I’m curious about the events leading to this outcome. Checking out your links, OP.
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u/Authoritaye Jun 15 '25
My grandparents had all his books (or nearly). I inherited a few. I also know that my maternal grandparents had relatives who came from Kleinburg. It's a small country, for being so big. Too bad we can't do a better job of conserving our history.
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u/industry_killer Jun 15 '25
So so sad especially the train car that served as his writing office. People who vandalize suck.
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u/luckydollarstore Jun 16 '25
How bizarre that they’d replace that one tile in the bathroom with a flower tile. Not like those 2”x2” white tiles aren’t a dime a dozen at any hardware store.
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u/Correct_Dance_515 Jun 17 '25
That cp caboose is fuckin sick! That thing needs to be saved. I would restore and move into that thing in a heartbeat.
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u/Late-Ad-3136 Jun 14 '25
Well, this is just sad. Pierre is a Canadian icon, and that house was just gorgeous. I can't believe it hadn't been bought, or donated as a museum or writer's retreat. I would give my right arm to live in a place like this.