Corran Ruins- McNeills Mansion

On my trip up north I found these ruins. They are located just north of Wiarton off Hwy 6 in Spirit Rock Conservation Area.

Alexander McNeill was known for his extravagant parties where he entertained members of parliament as well as other leading figures of Canada. There were 500 rosebushes growing in the three acres of gardens. McNeill lived at the estate with his wife Hester, and their only child, Malcolm. In 1881, McNeill became the federal Member of Parliament for the North Bruce riding and held that position for 20 years. Alexander was a supporter of Britain and its empire and one of the "Noble 13" who opposed Sir John A. MacDonald on a number of issues. McNeill died at the age of 90 in 1932, and his son took over the estate. Unfortunately, Malcolm(a)s interests were not in the Corran. The estate quickly deteriorated and the family fortune dwindled away. When Malcolm died in 1956, he willed the estate to his housekeeper and in 1960, the housekeeper sold the property to a Toronto resident. Despite valiant efforts to maintain the estate, it was at this point in time that the mansion and other buildings became victimized by vandals. Following the sale of the property to the Conservation Authority, the house burned leaving only a stone shell.