History
1913 - 1933
The history of the site began when Cosam Bigney arrived in Merritt in 1913 to build the house as a home for himself and his mail-order bride. Unfortunately, his fiancée fell in love with someone else on the voyage to Canada. Despite the heartbreak, Bigney and his business partner Mr. Weatherbie lived in the farm house until their deaths in 1933.
While on the property, the two business partners operated a soda pop bottling business in the basement of the store on the corner of the lot, supplying cold drinks to local coal miners and lumber workers.
Following the passing of the two, Bigney's nephew would take care of the property until eventually having the site given to the city due to unpaid taxes.
By 1938 the Bigney property would be purchased by Melville C. Baillie who would move into the house with his wife Paulina and their children.
1938 - 1990
By 1938 the Bigney property would be purchased by Melville C. Baillie who would move into the house with his wife Paulina and their children.
Throughout the years Melville would operate as a blacksmith as him and his wife cared for their six children named Bessie, Isabel, Olive, Ruth, Jacqueline, and Melville Jr.
Typhoid fever would break out in the area, leading to the death of Baillie Sr. by 1969 and his wife Pauline by '72. His son Melville Jr. would inherit the property until his death in 1990.
1991 - Present
In 1991 Tom McDonagh became the third owner of the estate, eventually selling it to the city by 1995.
Shortly after the property was sold back to the city, a project began to tear down the site and replace it with a parking lot.
This would be protested against by the people of Merritt; ultimately leading to a petition in 1997 to make the area a protected property.
The wish of the petition would come true, leading to the establishment of the Heritage Society in the same year. Ever since then, the Baillie House would serve as a location for celebrating the rich heritage and history of Merritt; with every year dozens of tours, events, and celebrations being held on the property to share the unique history of the land alongside the people that lived upon it.
Questions?
Service Requests?
Contact Us
2202 Voght Street.
Merritt BC, PO Box 1105 V1K1B8
250-378-0349
