The 19th century birthplace of one of Canada’s late Prime Ministers is up for sale in Neustadt, Ont. Buyers are already expressing interest in the 1250-square-foot home where Canada’s 13th Prime Minister John Diefenbaker was born in 1895.
The birthplace of one of Canada’s late Prime Ministers is up for sale, for a much lower price than an average home in most Ontario cities.
Buyers are already expressing interest in the 1250-square-foot home where Canada’s 13th Prime Minister John Diefenbaker was born in 1895.
Before his career in politics, the late leader spent part of his infancy in the four-bedroom, one-bathroom house in Neustadt, Ont., located about 45 minutes east of Kincardine, Ont.
“The owners were so respectful of the history and have painstakingly gone to great efforts to restore it,” said Angela Boersma, the realtor listing the home.
Diefenbaker served as Canada’s Prime Minister from 1957 to 1963.
The 19th century stone home still has the original flooring, trim, plaster walls and 10-foot ceilings that it did when it was built in 1890, Boersma said.
“There’s so much that is still original that you can really feel that in the house.”
The listing for the $369,900 home went up on Wednesday and many people from the region and beyond have already expressed interest in buying the property.
“What I’m pleased about is that everyone [who has called] is interested in the history,” Boersma said. “We’re hoping not to get someone who’s, you know, going to come in and gut the place.”
The property also includes a greenhouse, a barn and a fenced garden. Boermsa said the only obvious element of Diefenbaker’s history in the home is an outdoor plaque.
Afternoon Drive5:23How would you like to live in a house that’s also the birthplace of a prime minister?
If you’re in the market for a new home…consider owning a piece of Canadian history here in the southwest and for less than the cost of an average home in London or Windsor. A house just went on the market in the village of Neustadt. It happens to be the birthplace of the honourable John G Diefenbaker, the prime minister of Canada in the late 50s and early 60s. Chris dela Torre spoke to Angela Boersma from Royal Lepage and she’s the listing realtor of the former Diefenbaker home. 5:23