There is a heritage building on Dixie Road that exudes the charm of years gone by. Picture finely manicured lawns, well-dressed guests, scattered talk about business ventures, community activities and golf. It was the home of a wealthy businessman and his family, with ties to an even wealthier and broader business empire. 

The Pallett-McMaster is located at 1400 Dixie Road in the Lakeview area of Mississauga. On the modern landscape it is part of the Fairways Condo. The house itself was built in 1911-1912 by Grace and Leslie Pallett, who in turn sold it to George McGuire (also recorded as Maguire). In 1925 the property was sold to Arthur Carson McMaster. A few years earlier, in 1907, the High Park Golf and Country Club purchased an adjacent 97 acres to develop what would become the Lakeview Golf Course. In 1912, on the opposite side of Dixie Road, the Toronto Golf Club opened its new home. Arthur Carson McMaster was an avid golfer and the presence of the golf clubs undoubtedly played a role in the decision to purchase the property. McMaster dubbed the house “Alannah”, which is a name that means “Endearing” or “Precious”. 

Arthur Carson McMaster was born on April 23, 1868, in Montreal, Quebec. He was the eldest child of William John (W.J.) McMaster (1834-1904) and Elizabeth Carson (1838-1903). W.J. McMaster was the nephew of William McMaster (1811-1887), founding president of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, member of the Canadian Senate and founder of McMaster University. William McMaster ran a dry goods mercantile exchange. Entitled “William McMaster and Nephews”, their dry goods mercantile maintained offices in Toronto, Montreal and London, England. The nephews were Arthur Robinson McMaster, James Short McMaster and W.J. McMaster. All 3 brothers were born in County Tyrone, Ireland, as was their uncle William McMaster. Arthur Robinson ran the Toronto office, James Short remained in England and oversaw the London branch, while W.J. was in Montreal. W.J. relocated to Toronto around 1878, shortly before the death of his brother, Arthur Robinson.  

W.J. and Elizabeth (Carson) McMaster’s eldest son, Arthur Carson McMaster (1868-1933) attended Upper Canada College, was called to the bar in 1893, and was appointed King’s Counsel in 1921. Arthur married Isabel May Wanless in 1897. He and Isabel had two children: Mardette (Margretta) Alexandria Isobel McMaster (1898-1967)) and John Wanless McMaster (1903-1984). 

The family had residences here on Dixie Road and in Rosedale in Toronto. Both Arthur Carson McMaster and his son, John Wanless McMaster, were lawyers and were members of the Toronto Golf Club. 

The memorial to the late Arthur Carson McMaster, K.C., is as follows: 

“The Benchers in the Convocation assembled record with deep regret the death of Mr. Arthur Carson McMaster, K.C., on March 26th, 1933. Mr. McMaster was born in Montreal on April 23rd, 1868. He came to Toronto in his youth and attended Upper Canada College. He was admitted as a student-at-law in 1888. He was called to the Bar in 1893 and was appointed one of His Majesty’s Counsel in 1921. He quickly attained a large practice and a prominent place in the profession. His practice especially in the several branches of commercial law became one of the largest in the Province. He was Counsel for the Toronto Harbour Commission from its organization in 1911, and Solicitor of the Toronto Board of Trade. He was one of the Counsel who represented the City of Toronto in the arbitration following the acquisition by the City of the property and franchise of the Toronto Railway Company, and was engaged in much important litigation, not only in the Canadian Courts but also before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. In earlier years of his practice he was a member of the firm of Macdonell, McMaster and Geary and subsequently for nearly twenty years was the head of the firm of McMaster, Montgomery, Fleury & Company. Mr. McMaster was first elected a Bencher in 1906; he was re-elected in 1911 and 1916 and again in 1921 when he became a Bencher ex officio. He devoted his attention especially to the matter of legal education in which he took great interest. He was also for a time Chairman of the Reporting Committee. His work as a Bencher was highly appreciated by his associates. At the time of his death he was President of the Imperial Trust Company; Vice-President of the North American Life Assurance Company, and a director of other large Companies. He had been a member of Ionic Lodge A.F. & A.M. for many years and was a member of the Supreme Council, S.G.I.G. 33rd degree. He was an accomplished tennis player in earlier years. He traveled widely and derived particular pleasure from spending his vacations in driving tours in the British Isles and Europe. His death, after a particularly active and useful career, will be deeply felt not only by his fellow Benchers but also by members of the profession generally and by a wide circle of friends and associates.” 

The house remained with the McMaster family until 1968 and has since become part of the condominium development. The house is Listed on the City of Mississauga’s Heritage Register.