The Grange stood tall from the 1880s to the fall of 1949 in Whitbourne on a property of eight square miles. Sir Robert Bond loved Harbour Grace Junction's natural beauty and totally changed Whitbourne's environment into a beautiful one with tall trees along the streets. This mansion of elegance was added with the foreign trees that still stand tall in the park, like Norway spruce and Canadian maple. The flowers were arranged in many shapes and patterns, with a large variety that Sir Robert treasured. In fact, Scotch Heather was imported by this man, and the only place it can be found in North America is Whitbourne.

 

The Grange itself consisted of a large entrance hall, leading to the library, drawing room, and a big dining room that opened to a billiard room. Bond obviously had a love for nature, as the halls were decorated with fauna and tropical plants.

 

The library was basically his life, in which his political career needed research and heavy reading. This place is one where he'd relax and think about life, in general, but also make important decisions, He would also turn on his radio to enjoy music and hear the news, but more importantly, the first message to pass over the Atlantic by radio was held in this very room.

 

On the piano was one of the first set of Cabot stamps, printed in June 1897. In other rooms there was beautiful furniture with paintings and important documents, very typical at the time. However, these paintings were of royalty and autographed.

 

The dining room overlooked what is now Junction Pond and the elegant of his.

 

There was an horrendous forest fire in Whitbourne as the Grange was being built, destroying the tall trees he had planted along the streets. To compensate for the loss, Bond established new farm land with imported crops from other provinces and the first Aveshire cattle on the Island.

 

When Sir Robert died, he left his land to the island, which was kept by his nephew for around two decades. Unfortunately the land was bought by the government in 1949, and by 1950 the Grange was demolished.

 

All that's left of this estate are the beautiful old trees, the land, a monument

dedicated to Sir Robert Bond, and the steps that once led to the Grange. This has become a park where people enjoy spending time there. The people of Newfoundland are left with a huge burden; a beautiful gone forever, but memories last forever.