Young House
SW 27-7-12W,
Cypress River area

Designation Date: August 13, 1997
Designation Authority: The R.M. of Victoria
Present Owner: privately owned

William Edwin Young was one of the five original pioneers to homestead in the Cypress River area. Originally from Blyth, Ontario, he and wife Martha filed claim to, and homesteaded, the west half of 27-7-12W in 1879. In 1900 they built this large stone house. In 1911, the farm was sold to their son, William Howard Young. After his death in 1937 his wife Minnie and sons Walter and Gordon worked and lived on the farm. Today the farm is owned by Walter and Marjorie, and their son Neil and wife Debra, whose children are the fifth generation of Youngs to live in the house.

The Victorian style house was built of granite stones hauled from the Assiniboine River on a horsedrawn bobsled by William’s sons Howard and Jim. Stone construction was used from basement to peak, and even included a round cistern in the basement. A bay window, two dormers, elaborate gingerbread, and a front verandah add to the appeal of the exterior. The interior retains much of its original finish including tin ceiling panels, wainscoting, and decorative mouldings and woodwork.