Alpheus Jones House

320 Dibble St. W., Prescott, ON

Alpheus Jones came to Prescott from Augusta in 1813.  Between the years of 1816 and 1828, Jones was postmaster at Fort Wellington to serve the British troops.  As the town grew, he was appointed Postmaster of Prescott and was also Collector of Customs in 1823, which he continued to do until his death in 1863.  He was the Customs Inspector who sounded the alarm at the Battle of the Windmill when the schooners tried to land at Prescott Wharf.

This large Gregorian style house was built between 1827 and 1832 by masons brought over from England by Jones.  The front of the house is made of Kingston limestone.  When first cut, the stone has a bluish tint, so during its first few years it was referred to as "The Blue House" and later as the "Holmstead". 

There is a complete circular driveway and the front door is showcased by the grand staircase.  The house was heated by eight fireplaces including the kitchen fireplace with a built-in oven, until a hot water system was installed in the early 1930's.  The Earle Brothers bought the house in 1937, separated the interior into two halves and started a lumber business in the coach house at the back.

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