June 15, 2024

John Eyer moved from Pennsylvania to Richmond Hill in 1803 and bought a parcel of land that had two branches of the headwaters of the Rouge River flowing through it. It had the ideal location for a sawmill and so his son David Eyer opened one in 1825. He added a foundry and a farm implement factory in 1868. Tragedy struck in 1881 when a fire destroyed the foundry and the agricultural implements factory. The image below is from the 1878 County Atlas and shows the Eyer Estate as well as David Eyer’s property. A stove factory is shown on David’s property while the sawmill is located at the bottom of the mill pond on the estate.

The house was built in 1828 according to the date carved in beam in the attic. The records indicate that David built the house for his parents. There is a large front door with six panels and side lights.

There are two kitchens in the basement which suggests that David and his family lived here along with his parents. The Mennonite tradition would have the two families living together in one house in separate quarters. There is no house shown David’s property on the map above.

The exterior of the house is designed in the Georgian style. This was likely borrowed from the English neighbours they had in Pennsylvania. The fireplaces have an angular design which would have been borrowed from the Swedish settlers in Pennsylvania.

The rear elevation of the house shows two levels of verandas as well as the walkout from the basement.

The Eyer family lived in the house until 1907 when it was sold to the Wideman family. Three generations of Widemans lived in the home until 1965. All the other buildings that used to exist on the property have been lost but the house remains. It is the oldest example of a Mennonite home in Richmond Hill.

The back yard has been turned into a 1.75 acre park. It is nicely landscaped with mature trees.

A series of paved trails makes its way along the side of the river.

A footbridge lets you cross over the river but only leads to a subdivision.

One of the features is the Eyers Homestead Ropes Challenge Course. Access is limited to people who sign up through Richmond Hill’s Community Services Department. People participate in groups and the program is ideal for team building activities. There are five high rope elements and a number of low ones as well.

There’s also a climbing wall. Trained staff lead the groups through a series of challenges based on the goals set by the group. Naturally, there’s a waiver that has to be signed before you can begin.

There wasn’t time to explore the trail going south but there’s always another day to check them out.

Google Maps Link: Eyer Homestead

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