Built in 1899, this stately home was occupied by John D. Ross and his family until 1921. The district manager of Imperial Oil, D.S.L. Patterson, lived here for a short time before the Ross family returned to the address around 1925. They would remain here for another ten years. John D. Ross was a wealthy farmer in Brandon. He also served as the Brandon representative for James Richardson & Son Ltd., a grain merchandising firm that still exists today. In 1909, Ross was elected Alderman for Ward 5 alongside Harry Cater. John’s wife, Henrietta, continued to live in the house after his death in 1927.
At the time this house was built, Victoria Avenue was becoming a popular residential neighbourhood for Brandon’s wealthier families to settle. With its fine detailing and craftsmanship, this home is no exception to the elegance and grandeur that can be seen in nearby homes. The eight-sided turret, complete with gable dormers, moulding detail, and ornamental windows, is a distinct feature of this large 2 ½ storey home. The cross-gabled roof is another significant feature of the home, featuring both gable and shed dormers embellished with intricate bargeboard and frieze detailing, flared wide eaves, and cresting. The home also boasts an open and enclosed porch, an open verandah, and a second-storey verandah. Windows are also a distinguishing feature in the home’s design; round, segmental, and bay windows grace the home’s exterior, accentuated by fine detailing such as decorative sills and surrounds, decorative voussoirs, and fan lights.