Haggertlea

Built c. 1870, Haggertlea was one of the most impressive homes in its day. John Haggert was the founder of the Haggert Brothers’ Foundry and original owner of this mansion. As the town’s first mayor, it was his industry that played a major role in Brampton’s initial growth. The industry fell prey to bankruptcy in 1891. The Haggert Brothers played an important role in the initial development of Brampton in the mid-to-late 1880s. Haggertlea is representative of the industrial growth and subsequent building boom that took place in Brampton during the late 1800s and is an example of a handful of estate houses with extensive landscaped grounds built in Brampton in the mid 19th century. Haggert’s estate is contemporary with Kenneth Chisholm’s “Alderlea” and George Wright’s “Castle”.

Built in the Second Empire style, a rare architectural style in Brampton this solid structure is broken up by the many window openings, including dormers in the characteristic mansard roof. Part of the home’s beauty lay in its terraced lawns and bowling greens, which stretched down to what is now George Street. The main house, all of which is left of Haggertlea, still retains the basic architectural features of its original form.