School is probably the last place most people want to live, but if the school building looks like the Sharpe Schoolhouse, it's one of the first places we'd settle down.
The history of the Sharpe Schoolhouse begins with a purchase of land from neighbor David Henderson on February 15, 1854 for only three pounds.
Real estate agent Jacqueline Grise told blogTO that this deal is the first step in building a major educational hub in the Chinguacousy area.
The main living space.
Fast forward to 1879, when the Sharpe Schoolhouse was actually built, replacing an older school on Old School Road – a road aptly named for its historical significance.
A large pool table in the living area.
Gris explained that in the past, before the education system was centralized, schools were conveniently located three to five kilometers apart so that children did not have to walk too far to receive their education.
A wood-burning stove provides cozy warmth in the large room.
Built from local limestone, this schoolhouse is a charming example of the architectural style of the time.
An area with a fire pit.
However, there are not many school buildings of this type left.
One of the bedrooms in the basement.
“In the 1970s it was auctioned and purchased by a couple named Marjorie and Fred Sharpe,” Grise said.
The raised platform where the teacher must have been.
The story is actually too sweet. Marjorie and Fred actually met at school and fell in love.
A basement office space with built-in bookshelves.
According to Grise, Fred himself was a student there for eight years and met Marjorie years later when she began teaching at the school.
The winter garden leads outside.
After purchasing the old schoolhouse at auction, they converted the one-room schoolhouse into their family home.
A bar and a chicken coop.
The schoolhouse has changed hands a number of times since the Sharpes' time, but the amazing thing about this house is that so much of the original character and aspects of the school are still intact.
The foyer.
For example, the old school bell is still there and works!
The foyer leads to the main school building.
The two entrances in the foyer are the former separate entrances to the school – one for boys and one for girls, as racial segregation existed there.
A view of the old schoolhouse.
“The raised platform where the teacher sat is the dining area,” Grise added.
The whiteboard.
Even the blackboard is still hanging on the wall.
A look into the cultivation.
The Sharpes also added an addition to the rear to convert the one-room schoolhouse into a proper home.
The primary ensuite bathroom.
Today the house has more than 370 square meters of living space with three bedrooms and four bathrooms.
The kitchen.
The addition still retains the property's historic charm, such as the Shaker cabinets in the kitchen and the exposed limestone wall.
The kitchen with plenty of storage space.
But fortunately, there are modern amenities like a kitchen with stainless steel appliances that bring this 19th-century building into the 21st century.
An office.
The house is bright and airy with high ceilings and large windows.
The living room or family room.
The original one-room school building became the main living space, while the extension was divided into the remaining main rooms.
A sunny seating area.
There is a conservatory, an office, a kitchen and a master bedroom.
The master bedroom.
The master bedroom is spacious and features a cozy gas fireplace and a modern and elegant bathroom.
The winecellar.
On the lower level of the house you will find a wine cellar, two bedrooms, a bar and a study.
Another bedroom.
But don't worry if the house seems too small for you – 1488 Old School Rd. is located on an 800,000 square meter lot.
An outdoor terrace.
“I can’t even describe how cool the property is,” Grise said.
The way to the pool.
“There's room for everything. There's a tree-lined path to the pool, a fire pit area, and a vegetable garden.
The converted gymnasium.
“They converted the barn into a winter gym. They have a chicken coop and a bar – every inch of the property is put to good use.”
The hot tub.
There is also a koi pond with waterfall and hot tub, as well as two convertible silos and a huge metal barn that have the potential to become another cool addition to this property.
The pool.
There really is everything you could want here. The only downside for city dwellers is that you are in Caledon.
The koi pond.
But on the other hand: who needs the city when you have a piece of history like this.
An aerial view of the property.
1488 Old School Rd. is offered for $2,950,000.