New restaurant in 123-year old ranch house - Millarville

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New restaurant in 123-year old ranch house - Millarville

Postby newsposter » Mon Feb 02, 2009 8:23 am

Herald story on the McKay Place in Millarville.

John Gilchrist, Jan 25 2009



It was 123 years ago that Scottish homesteader J. A. Turner built his first house near what is now known as Millarville. During the next 16 years, he raised

Clydesdale horses on his property, enjoyed the view and, with growing success, built a bigger house and acquired more land.

In 1902, Turner sold his homestead to the Wright family, who in turn sold it to the McKays in 1916. The McKay family held on to the land and buildings until a few months ago when they sold a parcel of two hectares, with the historic buildings, to Calgary restaurateur Witold Twardowski.

Known for helping convert old buildings into hot new restaurants such as Mescalero, Teatro and The Ranche, Twardowski saw the same potential for the McKay Place--especially because it had been run as a restaurant by McKay family member Jackie Chalmers in the late 1980s. Twardowski spruced it up, did as little as possible to the historic tone, and started serving lunch and dinner just before Christmas.

The 1895 house--Turner's second, larger home--looks much as it has since it was built: a series of small rooms with wood floors, walls and ceilings. Some of the original furniture still fills the rooms, and south-and east-facing windows pour sunlight into the house...


Click the link for full story

http://www.calgaryherald.com/columnists ... story.html
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