Vankleek Hill and Eastern Ontario lost one of its historic landmarks last Thursday when the former Soeurs de Sainte Marie convent on Higginson Street was demolished to make way for semi-detached units, which will be built on the site. The upper portion of the front tower and other elements, such as windows and doors, had already been removed from the building before the demolition process began. The building had served as a school, where students boarded at one time and were taught by the Soeurs de Sainte-Marie and later, housed only a small group of sisters and served as a retreat. The building was sold several years ago, a single condo was created on the second floor after a zoning was changed and plans to create a spa at the location were unsuccessful. The property was re-zoned a second time in preparation for condo development on the entire property, but those plans, too, were ultimately abandoned. photos Louise Sproule
