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.The Herit~ge Foundation of and Labrad-or w..,s .. , HARBOR GRACE . established in 1984 tostimulalean understanding of and an appreciation for. the ardiiteeturcll herit..,ge of the provinee,and to support and eontribute to tbe preservation and restoration of. buildiJlgs of .8l'ehiteetural orhistoriealsignifiganee to the provinee. • .-

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. ,. .s;. Appendix: Heritage Preservation Guidelines

An effective plan to preserve (5) The height/width ratio of the or style constructed prior to 1915 a district's physical heritage facades (the building sides faCing and not subsequently altered and onto the street) ofa development located within the same block as will give some control over shall not vary by more than 10 the development. Contemporary its future development to the percent from the height/width ratio materials may be used where their municipality. So as to ensure of the facades of existing buildings appearance is compatible with the fairness and consistency, of the same type or style appearance Of traditional materials both the town's Heritage constructed prior to 1915 and not and detailing. subsequently altered and located Advisory Committee and within the same block as the (11) The distinguishing original (when allocating grants) the development. qualities or character of an existing Heritage Foundation would building or structure constructed follow defined guidelines in (6) The allowable opening/wall prior to 1915 (later in some cases), assessing the desirability of ratio (ratio of door and window its site and its environment should area to solid wall area) for the not be destroyed. the removal or new projects. The following facade of a development shall not alteration of any historic material, serve as an example: vary by more than 10 percent from distinctive architectural feature, or the facade opening/wall ratio of the example of skilled craftsmanship Standards: facades on existing buildings of the should be avoided as far as same type or style constructed prior possible. HERITAGE DISTRICT REPORT (1) Where the setbacks (the to 1915 and not subsequently distances from the front of the altered. and located within the (12) Every reasonable effort Addressing the feasibility and desirability principal building on each lot to the same block as the development. should be made to provide a use for of establishing a new Heritage street) of neighbouring buildings such a property that requires Preservation District in. the Town of are uniform, the setback of the (7) The dimensions of the windows minimal alteration of the building, Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. Prepared development shall conform to them. in a development shall not vary by structure, or site and its mote than 10 percent from the environment. for the information of residents by the (2) Where the setbacks of Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and dimensions of the windoWs in neighbouring buildings are not existing buildings of the same type (13) Otiginalarehitectural features Labrador. uniform: If the setback of one of or style constructed prior to 1915 which have deteriorated should be the neighbouring buildings is the and not subsequently altered, and repaired rather than replaced. Design, drawings, photographs, and text: same as the setback of the building located within the same block as wherever possible. _In the event Alec Brown. next to it then the setback of the the development. replacement is necessary. the new development shall conform to this. material should visually match. Additional drawings and photographs: If the setback of the building on (8) The roof or roofs of a Conception Bay Museum, Harbour Grace; either side of the development is development in regard to their Definitions: Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and not the same as the setback of direction. pitch and arrangement Labrador, St. John's; National Airphoto those buildings next to it, then the shall conform to those on existing (1) "Contemporary materials" Library, Ottawa. setback of the development shall buildings of the same type or style includes, but is not limited to, conform to that of either one of the constructed prior to 1915 and not aluminum, vinyl, pre-cast concrete, neighbouring buildings. subsequently. altered, and located mirrored glass panels and any other within the same block as the materials· not available for (3) The side-yard ratio (the development. buildings constructed on or prior to Copyright: Heritage Foundation of distance from the side lot line to 1915. Newfoundland and Labrador, 1992. the near side of the building (9) The size, shape and compared to the entire lot width) prominence of a porch. entrance (2) "Development" means the on each side of a.development shall projection or doorway in a erecting, placing, relocating, conform to the relative Side-yard development shall be similar to removing, renovating, restoring, ratios of either of the neighbouring those found on existing buildings of demolishing, altering, repairing or buildings so as to -maintain the the same type or style constructed . replaCing of the exterior of a pattern of open .spaces. prior to 1915 and not subsequently building or structure or _ altered and located within the same appurten.ances, in whole or part, (4) The height of a development block as the. development. other than traffic control devices or shall not be less than 80 percent Similarly for outbuildings, walls, statutory notices. and not more than 100 percent of fences. and gates. the average height of existing (3) "Traditiolialmaterials" buildings of the same type or style (10) A development shall use includes, but iii not limited to wood, constructed prior to 1915 and not traditional detailing and traditional brick, stone, but excludes those subsequently 'altered and located materials for its exterior facades in materials not commonly used prior within the same bli)ck as the k.piagiwith those fOllnd.on to 1915. development. existing buildings·of the same type

HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 24 The front gate into the towns and villages which - Preservation of Introduction: The Idea of Heritage Hampshire Cottage, Water St. Despite being have traditionally been the Newfoundland Heritage left untended for years, backbone of our society and In strictly architectural terms, these properties still our economy. Heritage heritage conservation demonstrate the amount This booklet is about two This is especially true of our On the cover: A chart of care and attention Districts work because they are safeguards the province's rich appearing in John issues: cultural heritage on the physical heritage. Consider which originally went into initiated by the members of the architectural traditions so that Thornton's English them. Simply maintaining one hand, and development on examples like a cherished old Pilot, in editions from such creations is a small community; the buildings are they can be studied and 1689 to 1760. The Pilot the other. Only in very recent church, or a mature garden. price for such a rich maintained by the residents for enjoyed by all well into the was the first naval atlas inheritance. times have people felt them to Older parts of communities are to be published in themselves and their future. The need to preserve Britain. On another be in opposition to each other. not just a tangible reminder of community; And the benefits these artifacts is compounded chart dated 1772, The In fact, one's heritage - the history, they also remain as famous chartmaker James of the co-operation stay by the subsequent loss in the Cook wrote that Harbour legacy of wisdom, experience vital and as useful as ever. As entirely within the community. modern age of many of the Grace boasted •...very and labours of the past - is the the inheritors of this valuable good holding grounds and skills of design and individual very ground out of which new legacy, we must not allow room for any number of Low municipal costs. The craftsmanship which ships, where they lay and better things can grow. ourselves to lose it forever securely sheltered from costs to the taxpayers through contributed to earlier Respecting and building on the through neglect, because to do all danger.' the municipality of construction. achievements of previous so would be to lose both a improvements to the public generations does not conflict monuments of our culture's Opposite page: St. spaces in the district are In terms of preservation Paul's Church, 1835. with the path of progress, it past, and an instruments of its This is the third Church modest and flexible, and more initiatives heritage districts serves it. future. of England on the site - than likely off set by new tax have a special role in that they the first two, dated 1764 and 1816, were destroyed revenues from repair work, step beyond the protection of by fires. In the 1970s the and an upturn in both isolated structures to give us building was fully restored. economic activity and property an image of the historical values. community itself.

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Dragger equipment in front of Ridley Hall, an old stately home - now derelict. More than just 1 see publications of British Columbia Heritage Trust, "Community Pride" program, treasures of our past, Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture; 103·1216 Broad St., Victoria, buildings from another B.c. V8W 2A5 age still have much to contribute to today's 2 Robert Shipley, "Does Heritage designation affect property values?" in The Canadian modern communities. Appraiser, spring 1992, pp.26-30. But in order to stop the wasteful neglect and decay, we first have to 3 Galt, George, Investing in the Past: A Report on the Profitability of Heritage change our idea of what Conservation, Heritage Canada, 1974; pp. 2-4. development means.

23 HERITAGE DISTRICT REPORT HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 2 Why a Heritage District? package. An effectively promoted heritage project has strong potential to draw tourists to the community, and Harvey Street, Harbour Today, our understanding of through a renewed sense of Grace, looking towards to prolong their stay in it, the Cathedral, c. 1910. community development is identity and pride. providing a substantial boost to For each succeeding again beginning to include a generation, part of a the local economy3. vibrant and healthy wider range of initiatives which A heritage district is a specific community is the pride can build on resources already area of town which, because of felt by the townspeople in The regeneration of under­ their history and in the present in the community. a concentration of older used or abandoned areas. At symbols which identify buildings and an absence of the town. a time when physical resources The concept of the heritage any extensive re-development, are becoming limited and the district has emerged in other presents an especially powerful environment is under threat of parts of North America as a and cohesive image of the past. resource depletion, it makes vehicle for local economic Within the district an effort is good economic and development using the existing made to maintain and preserve environmental sense to physical assets of an area, its the historic character of the preserve those natural and buildings, streets, public architecture and other built elements which we spaces, and environs - as well elements (streets, fences, already have. heritage as its history - to attract new gardens, etc.), and to develop conservation is, therefore, a revenues and investment, while the aesthetic quality of the natural component of healthy enriching the local community overall site. These efforts in town planning. turn produce new opportunities for growth: new business; a Community spirit. A higher profile for the town; heritage district presents a economic diversification. vivid image of the permanent Historic communities are fabric of memories which binds recognizing that heritage the town. Every town has district programs create new characteristic features which potential in existing resources, together contribute to its own and are a powerful catalyst for unique identity. This ideutity further renewal. is a reflection of the values upon which it was founded and grew. While a system of values does evolve from one generation to the next, a healthy community maintains a clear vision of its historical institutions and customs, and hence an appreciation of the and encourage a continuation physical environment which of the labours and dedication embodies this history. of our predecessors. Bay windows on the Simmons house, c. Our communities stand as a Local solutions with local 1900. The house was built by one William / tangible legacy which should benefits. Increasingly, as the Carson for Willis Davis, be respected as both the imported schemes promising uncle of the present owner. The care that presence of the past and a prosperity come and go we in went into its design and foundation on which to build. N ewf oundland have been construction is evident in details like the shingle­ By valuing our local heritage forced to look for our work and original window we foster community pride, economic future back within sashes.

3 HERITAGE DISTRICT REPORT HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 22 The west transept of An increase in property the cathedral, from strength lies in the fact that it Making the District Work road. Its values. A well planned is a foreign destination, close condition having heritage project creates a and familiar, yet somehow deteriorated, the church was facing demolition unique and appealing different. The essential Within the district, guidelines value, and attractiveness of the Water St., Harbour before local groups neighbourhood atmosphere difference is the people of initiated an ambitious are laid down with the aim of district. It should be noted Grace, from Point of restoration project. which is reflected in prices and Canada - their British and Beach. For one reason preserving and strengthening that the guidelines are not or another, some areas of demand for real estate. And French heritage, their ethnic its vintage character. Proposed meant to prevent any new towns change little over studies in Ontario and diversity, and their regional the years. When the demolitions, alterations, or development of the properties quality and integrity of elsewhere demonstrated that, and local traditions." new constructions are in the district, but rather to the original fabric is contrary to some popular maintained for a long considered by town council insure that any development time, it acquires a beliefs, heritage designation Tourists who come to through a heritage advisory which does take place is in powerful beauty and almost invariably has the effect Newfoundland repeatedly say character. committee. The committee harmony with its valuable of raising the value of the that the most valuable and would consist of at least one heritage quality. The basic designated property.2 ref reshing aspect of our resident property owner from tenets of a heritage district province is that instead of the district, one council preservation policy are listed New tourism potential. tourist traps and tour guides, member, people from the on the last page of this In 1985, Tourism Canada they are led to explore the historic society, and a booklet. commissioned a massive study genuine communities and meet representative of the local of the U.S. travel market. The the local people themselves. business community. Through The relationship between the study found that neither Our reputation as a "cultural" this framework heritage district and the rest of the Canada's cities, nor its great tourist attraction is a solid priorities are reasonably community is one of outdoors, nor its resorts had an foundation on which to develop balanced against other issues, interdependence and mutual image which stood up well to an expanded industry, and the and an effort is made to ensure advantage. Generally, across competition in the Americans' province'S built heritage is a that both the quality of the Canada the experience has minds: "Instead, Canada's most integral part of this district, and the concerns and been that instead of creating a needs of its residents are separate, favoured area, addressed. improvements within one district have tended to Building applications are precipitate further reviewed against set standards improvements adjacent to it which protect the continuity, and beyond. The potential of

21 HERITAGE DISTRICT REPORT HERITAGE FOUNDAnON OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 4 parking. Local shops, Benefits: The Argument for Preservation museums and churches can also play an active role as premises which are open to the The value of heritage Heritage Districts don't go Ridley Hall in the public. evening light. Because awareness goes beyond the bankrupt and leave a they provide such a restoration of important community high and dry. It is strong sense of Most importantly, the buildings. Potential benefits) friendly development, turning permanence. some successful heritage district buildings act as markers - include: existing resources into both in the landscape and must have active support from functioning assets. in the memory - capturing the community. The the timeless spirit of a Local employment. Old place. custodians of a town are its house restoration tends to be Increased business. residents, and the more labour-intensive, Merchants, restaurant owners, responsibility for its use is providing local employment, as and innkeepers in or nearby theirs. While heritage well as an injection of sales heritage districts report foundations and governments revenue to local suppliers. marked improvements in sales, can provide extensive Work on older structures and often respond to the organizational, and in some usually contributes far more to heritage initiative by expanding cases financial assistance, the the local and provincial services. viability of the project depends economy per dollar spent than on the initiative and support of new home construction, where members of the community. materials are pre-made elsewhere and shipped in, and The Heritage Foundation of the skills of local carpenters, Newfoundland and Labrador painters, or masons are rarely encourages owners of older needed. structures to undertake restoration projects through Although this work is labour­ matching grants of up to intensive, overall costs are $10,000 for worthy heritage comparatively low. All over buildings. In addition, it is the world restoration and offering matching grants of up renovation of existing buildings to $5,000 for work on other is being recognized as more elements such as fences on cost-effective than demolition properties ineligible for the and rebuilding from scratch. first grant. the heritage district lies not in Stability. A healthy and long­ its distinctiveness from the Although it aims to protect and established neighbourhood is community, but rather in its preserve the traditional preserved. There is no connection to it. Pedestrian townscape, the heritage uprooting or demolition or and vehicular traffic into and district is not a museum of rezoning in the name of out of the district should link antique architecture. Like "progress." smoothly into the larger the town it serves, a district network of the town. encourages and benefits from The Coughlan Unlike other forms of Memorial and Court increased use and occupancy - economic development, the House. Harbour Graee. An effective district requires from any efforts to improve Far from a restrictive money sunk into the project is museum of a ntique the active participation of the both its physical and human small, and the return is not so architecture. a good town in maintaining facilities environment. Designation as a working heritage district risky as with, for instance, a should reflect and in public spaces such as signs, heritage district is meant to encourage its use by the new industrial venture. people who live in and pedestrian paths and seating bring new life - people, around it. areas, trees, and unobtrusive activity, and businesses.

5 HERITAGE DISTRICT REPORT HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 20 Proposal for a Harbour Grace Heritage District

iiiJi7 : I'll! .: · . -_.. - -~ - ~ . 2 ~ Houses within the District

Tapp House. This Heritage districts are initiated Normally, buildings in the house originally stood on province would only be eligible the northern end of the in order to help a community same lot, facing Harvey improve the local built for heritage grants on St. Art Tapp, who moved environment. For private individual merit - if they are the house and added the central bay at the residences this help comes in deemed by the Foundation to beginning of the 19005, two ways. First, the provincial be of substantial architectural was a blacksmith who fashioned many of the Heritage Foundation offers or historical signifigance. iron gates and fences in assistance to owners wishing to However, where the idea of the district. restore their homes in a the heritage district program of matching grants for emphasizes preservation of the restoration projects. community fabric as much as individual structures, the Wrought iron fencing in the arrowhead style Second, the designated district Foundation would make grants common to the district. acquires recognition and available to any properties The ever-present fences help unite houses big and distinction as a provincial within the district which small. historic and landmark, which improves the contain heritage elements in contemporary into one cohesive neighbourhood. desirability, saleability, and the need of restoration. Today craftsmanship such general health and vitality of as this would be so expensive to produce that the area, reducing the number The limitations on the grants we must make certain to of derelict homes, and are that: save those examples which still exist. increasing the value of - they only be used for properties for sale. restoration, not for upgrading or maintenance; - they not exceed 50% of the total eligible project costs; - they not exceed $10,000 for work on older buildings, or $5,000 for work on elements such as original stone walls where the buildings themselves are contemporary (ie. restoration would not apply). Costs allowed include professional services, exterior restoration, and some interior Harbour Grace, showing restora tion. Point of Beach; fro m an aerial survey conducted in 1954.

19 PROPOSAL FOR A HARBOUR GRACE HERITAGE DISTRICT HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 6 The public area - ie. the street street and sidewalk is not Water Street as a Heritage District. With and cliff side - require almost bothersome, although thought the Cathedral and Court no changes. It is, however, can be given to a subtly more House at one end, Point of Beach, St. Paul's and recommended that a walk be attractive lay-out when it downtown at the other, constructed, running from the comes time to replace them. and the Museum as a focal point in between, Conception Bay Museum along Heritage districts are helped this beautiful long block History: Early Settlement the water side and down steps by distinguishing of homes and gardens becomes an ideal walk for to Point of Beach, in order to characteristics such as a visitors. To exploit the link up the two areas. Benches different type of road surface coastal setting, some improvements should be The Court House, 1830. The proposal to develop a town with some real cultural should be incorporated as well. or a special style of street made to the south side of Newfoundland's oldest historic district in Harbour pretensions. lamp, which let the visitor feel the street before the surviving court house, it museum. was built with new-found Grace is a pilot project for the The state of repair of the they are in a special place. support from the British Government, only a year Heritage Foundation of An obvious resort of fishermen after the ban on island Newfoundland and Labrador. because it provided good settlement was formally It is also a joint initiative of lifted. The rare full stone shelter, Harbour Grace was construction, with elegant the Foundation and the town occupied by the pirate Peter fanlights set above of Harbour Grace and is Easton at the time when John windows and doors speaks of the wealth and intended to build on - to Guy and his colonists were prominence enjoyed by strengthen - an already strong deVeloping . By 1618 - Harbour Grace at that time. local sense of heritage, a very when Guy had left Cupids and fine collection of heritage the Bristol men involved in the structures and a significant Newfoundland Company had history. become quite fed up with

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Harbour Grace has a very having to play second fiddle to important place in the London shareholders - the N ewf oundland history and colony of Bristol's Hope was until the end of the nineteenth established. In 1617 the "Harbor de grace" on century was always the Newfoundland Company had a n unidentified chart principal Newfoundland town granted the Merchant from the 16005. D epicted next to Point of outside the capital. Venturers of Bristol a portion Beach is an image of Important commercially, it of land which may have run Peter Easton's fort - Its actual design is not became an administrative and from Carbonear to Spaniard's known. political centre as well as a Bay and over into Trinity Bay.

7 PROPOSAL FOR A HARBOUR GRACE HERITAGE DISTRICf HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 18 With that grant a formal colony was established at Harbour Grace. It was most likely peopled by some of those who had become disenchanted with the Cupids experiment. The governor was Robert Hayman who spent one winter and several summers there but is more famous for Case Study 2: Water Street his verse than for his != administrative abilities. His book, Quodlibets, is essentially a promotional Ridley Hall. 1833. In Old photographs of Harbour atmosphere is a product of all likelihood, the finest publication written in not very surviving stone house in Grace show elegant streets several factors: The street sits good poetry. Its distinction is mayor of Bristol to report in Newfoundland. Even in with large homes surrounded atop cliffs which offer a fine St. Paul's Cemetery. its tragically derelict that if it is not the first, then it 1696 that "the trade of this city The remarkable origins condition, its sheer size by elaborate gardens, always view out over the water. The is among the earliest books lies at Harbour de Grace and and history of Harbour and presence still encircled by fieldstone walls or street is not a main Grace can be well command attention. written in Canada. the places adjacent .. ." The appreciated by reading wrought iron fences. Quite a thoroughfare any more - there next year the Abbe Baudoin, the many stories of few properties around town is a soothing quiet in which the earlier ancestors from Nothing more is heard of this who accompanied the French near and far carved into still include a number of these pedestrian seems to colony after 1631 but that does on their raids, reported the these beautiful stones. features, but only along this predominate over the Dates reach back to the not mean it disappeared. It death of an inhabitant of 1600's. eastern section of Water street automobile. The gardens, may simply mean that the Harbour Grace who was is so much of this historic flowering trees, and fences formal connections between born there in 1610. He character still intact that the which together have been the settlers and the investors in also spoke of fourteen image of the photographs lovingly assembled by property Bristol broke down and that settlers who kept really comes to life. owners over many years some people stayed to pursue cattle - a sign of provide a human-scale Houses along Harvey their own livelihood. secure occu­ St.. c.190S. This sort of On a summer day, the walk attractiveness. And the image has largely But the links remained pance of from Cochrane street to the historic residences, originally disappeared from sufficiently strong for the the land. Harbour Grace, other Cathedral is a popular one for built with great care to present than within the area of the proposed district. those who know the town and a proud and attractive public the area. The scenic face, are a self-contained

architectural tour of :11 I . lEIJ remarkable breadth and Growth and Prominence i m beauty.

As valuable as this streetscape Throughout the eighteenth same size as the St. John's Hampshire Cottage. is, it is essential that it not be century Harbour Grace was an church. It was from this Also known as The permitted to erode. Heritage Garrison House. The important centre for the church that Rev. Lawrence earliest record of the designation is the appropriate Conception Bay fishery but Coughlan sowed the seeds of building is on Joseph framework to stop this from Noad's map of 1845, also the major port of entry for Methodism in North America. although it is locally ever happening, by developing supplies. It is not surprising This period also saw the thought to date back to a district which is enough of an then that in the 1760s the town beginnings of the great Irish 1811. A charming asset to the community that its example of the typical 19" begins to develop its migration that was to so Century Newfoundland preservation is a priority on institutions. Its first church, strongly shape the history and salt-box style house, it is economic as well as cultural the last survivor from a for the Anglicans, was character of both Harbour series of similar grounds. residences which once constructed in 1764 to be the Grace and Newfoundland. lined Water Street.

17 PROPOSAL FOR A HARBOUR GRACE HERITAGE DISTRICT HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 8 Activity along the With the diversification of the This stable resource industry Beach a larger, more basic visitor facilities need to Redeveloping Point of waterfront, c. 1880. Beach. One possible Through most of the 19" fishery into sealing and the inspired other types of accessible, and more be put in place, including signs, scheme would hope to see Century Harbour Grace Labrador fishery at the development - economic, picturesque waterfront area benches, parking, and perhaps Ridley Offices converted into a restaurant or pub, was Newfoundland's than most. On top of this it even a small area converted to principal port for both beginning of the nineteenth institutional and culturaL with a stretch of the sealing industry, and century, Harbour Grace grew Along Water Street a range of generally has a half dozen or parkland. Third, the Ridley recreational land the Labrador fishery. connecting it to a path remarkably. Sealing meant fine stone shops were built to more boats on the slipway, Offices should become the leading to the lighthouse that the working year was provide the prosperous town which add interest, and a good focus for the area, ideally as a along the breakwater. The ongoing enlargement extended into the winter, so with a selection of consumer harbour for pleasure craft. public operation such as a of the boatyard provides In order to open it up to restaurant. (Such a the opportunity to coordinate these two visitors, Point of Beach needs remarkable location is quite a programs from the outset. f our things: First, the areas drawing card.) Fourth, the which have over recent years package must be marketed, become miniature dumps, full which is where in conjunction of rusted .machinery and empty with the rest of the district paint cans, could quite easily heritage designation is a be cleaned up. Second, some particularly powerful vehicle.

that there was a possibility of goods. Cabinet and carriage making a great deal of money makers established themselves (at, of course, considerable in the town to serve the risk). That money, in turn, growing population. The strengthened the local Harbour Grace Grammar demands and consequently School was opened in 1844 and .7 fostered the local economy. some sense of its standing is indicated by the fact that there The Labrador fishery was a were 20 applicants for the post very profitable extension of the of Master. By the mid-1880's .r: O:X: 1=====:::;====~ local summer fishery and, by there were a dozen schools in 1847, employed two-thirds of the town. /" ... ----- ' /,,,;:- ..--:, ~ . the fishermen of the town. By ~ ~ that time Harbour Grace had The churches also grew in become the most important number and importance. The port in these two aspects of the present Anglican church was fishery - a place it held until constructed 1835-37 after a St. John's took over control of Population. In 1856 devastating fire and, built in approximately 9500 capital, and so began its stone, is one of the town's people lived in Harbour dominance at the end of the Grace. Fewer than 3700 most important buildings. A live here today. nineteenth century. monumental Catholic

9 PROPOSAL FOR A HARBOUR GRACE HERITAGE DISTRICT HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 16 Cathedral was constructed on The court house, the model of St. Peter's in constructed in 1830, Rome over a 30 year period and now the oldest in only to burn down in 1889 - Newfoundland is two years after its completion. another indica- The current Cathedral was tion of the power built immediately afterwards and place of and opened in 1892. The Harbour Grace Methodists had churches in in the middle Case Study 1: Point of Beach Harbour Grace from c. 1791 of the and the Presbyterians a kirk nineteenth from 1855 to 1940. century.

Ridley Offices, c. 1838. One of the benefits of heritage needed to become the The last of the 19" century commercial projects is the ability they have predominant port in buildings on the Point, to define what sort of place the Conception Bay. The past few built by the merchant Into the Modern Age Thomas Ridley along with community really is. Towns decades mark the first time in the Hall which also bears transf orm themselves over two hundred years that his name. That both remarkably quickly, and the Point is home to less than structures are of stone But all this began to unravel in Newfoundland fish. But even The Immaculate construction (with brick sometimes in the process they a dozen stores and warehouses. CODceptioD Church, trim) is a testament to forget why they came to be in the 1870's and 1880's. The they had problems and were 1892. Universally known the family's affluence. bankruptcy of the Ridleys in among the most significant as the Cathedral, the first place, or what over Happily, the great maritime Harbour Grace having the years made them what they traditions which this place 1870 followed on a series of victims of the 1894 Bank previously been the seat poor fisheries in the previous Crash. of the Roman Catholic are today. For this reason represent have continued to diocese for over a heritage preservation should inhabit it, these days in the decade and meant the collapse century. Built to replace of one of the country's most These economic problems were an enormous earlier pay special attention to those shape of a boat yard. And one Cathedral which was elements of a community which of the finer buildings to have substantial firms. And they matched by sectarian strife destroyed by fire in 1889. were not the only Harbour which came to a head with represent its core, its reason graced the site, the Ridley -The Harbour Grace for being what it is - its Offices, still stand as a Grace firm to go under. Yet what is known as the Harbour Tragedy. 1883.- An identity. reminder of those earlier the spirit was still there, for Grace Affray of December 26, Orangeman's parade John Munn and Company 1883. On that St. Stephen's erupted into violence times. resulting in two deaths, A wander through centuries of produced a number of Day two Orange men were but the subsequent innovations which improved killed by Catholics when their outrage forever brought Activity OD the slipway. maps of Harbour Grace makes On Point of Beach, a new to a close such radical Work in and around the the marketability of parade approached Riverhead. sectarian conflict. Marine Complex actually clear the central role which openness to visitors can be complements a new Point of Beach has had in the cultivated in the midst of the accent on tourism: it adds town's evolution. Along with normal activities of the yard. life and visual interest, and the facilities the long narrow bay, the small Many coastal communities in themselves should attract promontory gave Harbour North America have turned the recreational boater. Grace the excellent harbour it their waterfront into the focus f or visitors, for obvious reasons of beauty and interest. Although tourists in Newfoundland naturally expect to be drawn to the water which represents our history, few villages have any welcoming facilities beyond the government wharf. Harbour Grace already has in Point of SCE:XE OF Tim IlAHIIOH (;1:.\.(;1-: TH.\(jl·:JJY. ~T S1" £PH[NS o ... v DeCE MBE:R 26 ' ~ 188 l

15 PROPOSAL FOR A HARBOUR GRACE HERITAGE DISTRICT HERITAGE FOUNDATlON OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 10 And while the bitter divisions to have said that grass would Point of Beach itself provides provides a very useful f ocal The Ivan Renee, salvaged in June '92 after that this produced made the grow in the streets of the town. an opportunity for tourists to point for a tour of the district. it had sunk to the bottom election of 1885 a distinctly The most immediate explore a working boat yard in Tourists should also at the very of the harbour. For visitors a distinctive and sectarian one, it was not, manifestation of his curse was an attractive setting. Because least be able visit the three memorable impression of unlike so many previous the destruction of the the strength of the image is the churches and Ridley offices. Newfoundland is the raw, picturesque character of elections, characterized by Cathedral in 1889, and he simple charm of a traditional maritime images like this violence. The Affray, in fact, seems to have hovered like working yard - the boats and Situated next to downtown, the one. some darkening spirit over the the labour that goes into them, district would supply clientele town ever since. He was very little need be done to to the shops and restaurants of probably on hand when fire accommodate visitors within Harbour Grace, as well as destroyed Water Street's this facility. The wharf also visitors to local hotels and bed business premises in 1945. provides the potential to cater & breakfasts. Designation and to recreational boaters. protection as a heritage district However, the will of the town would expose the beauty and has worked against him. The Conception Bay Museum, historical merit of the area, Despite all past adversity, containing information and and convert them into viable Harbour Grace has never lost collections from the area, assets to the community. its culture, its manners, its heritage, its sense of place. When the centenary of the Cathedral fire looked like it might have been celebrated by the demolition of its successor all Harbour Gracians, Catholic and Protestant alike, rallied to ensure the survival of one of their defining buildings. They built up and developed their museum two decades ago and have always shown a keen awareness and a strong commitment to their past. marked the climax and the close of overt sectarianism in With this Heritage District Newfoundland. It brought they can now make use of this those responsible to some past to ensure a stability for understanding of the real their future. It will stand as a hazard of their tactics, and tribute to their determination

(ahove) Parade day. forced the various groups to and to their imagination - an Harbour Grace has a reach an accommodation with example to all Newfoundland history of civic pride and one another. of what can be done and the community celebrations. value of doing it properly. (below) Ridley Hall, Rows within religious groups c.1895. The family pictured here could were also not uncommon. For scarcely have imagined Harbour Grace the most Shane O'Dea, t hat t his gracious building w ould decl i n e so damaging was that between the Chairperson, Heritage drastically. Compar e the Benevolent Irish Society and Foundation of Newfoundland bay to the left of the door in this photograph with Bishop Henry Garfagnini who, and Labrador, the drawing on p. 17. when he left in 1880, is reputed 10/7/92.

11 PROPOSAL FOR A HARBOUR GRACE HERITAGE DISTRICT HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 14 Heritage districts have been structures, like the Courthouse effectively developed in many and Customshouse, punctuate communities across North the residential precinct with America. In order for a their distinctive and individual district to succeed, it must be character, making the district engaging both at the level of as a whole an excellent setting the individual structures, and f or a scenic stroll. as a whole package. It must also contain elements of And the area has a good deal Study: The Feasibility of a District genuine historical interest and of historical importance, Point importance, and be somehow of Beach has always stood as unique, or memorable, the protection and the entrance for the town's historic harbour. Today, despite several eastern end of Water street, Cron House (1878). The proposed district in Near the site of the Customs devastating fires, Harbour where recent construction has located just outside the district. Built for Thomas Harbour Grace, stretching House once stood Peter Grace retains many fine been scarce, and there exists a Bennet, Speaker of the from Point of Beach to the Easton's seventeenth century buildings from earlier chapters concentration of notable House and later Judge of of its history. Together these the Northern District Roman Catholic Cathedral, has fort, with speculation of pirates heritage buildings. Because of Court, it was actually an all these qualities. The buried in the nearby stand as the most vivid its historical import, and its addition on to an earlier structure from c. 1835. architecture of the district is at churchyard. testament to the proud place attractiveness, the area once varied and cohesive, with which the town has in the presents a strong case for Looking down Doctor's history of Newfoundland. special designation as a Lane towards Water St. different styles and different Within the district are a The fences help to choices of materials being memorial to the famous Rev. heritage district, the first in the comfortably define public The area of Harbour Grace provincial Heritage areas alongside the treed employed for houses of widely Coughlan, a sculpture gardens. varied size and function. And commemorating Harbour which has the strongest Foundation's new area yet the neighbourhood Grace's role in early aviation historical character is the preservation program. as a whole has a history, several national pleasant unity which architectural landmarks derives from the including the province's oldest regular spacing of the courthouse, the first tennis houses, the typically club in the province, a number large front gardens, of residences built by very and the ornate fence­ prominent figures from work which runs along Newfoundland history, a the front of the museum, and three early properties. Other churches - one a cathedral.

We/coming Visitors

The Customs House. Aside from its historic merits, like quality - a natural 1870. built on the site of Peter Easton's early 17th the district boasts a attraction to new visitors just Century fort. The age, remarkable seaside location, as it has been to the local the architectural style and the use of brick masonry looking out to the icebergs and residents for generations, since make it unique among islands in the harbour mouth. the first wealthy townspeople Newfoundland's public buildings. The location gives this part of built their estates along this Water Street a special park- coast in the early 1800's,

13 PROPOSAL FOR A HARBOUR GRACE HERITAGE DiSTRICT HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR 12 '. " ~;;:~ '-- ~~1~1iii1~1~~P.J;;~01POSED HERI TAGE . . ict boundaries, ..and :: some redevelopment. '~ " - "! .....- , ~~.'\~~~;?~~~:-<.~" ~~~ .'- _~>~.,~U~:; , ,.c,",,-- ,, .~ -.' -. . . ._ 'Notable Byi ldjngs: -Ridley "Offices 1

.. ~ . St. Paul's Anglican Church 2 Ridley HaJl 3 SillllOns House 4 lapp House 5 .:..... : . Hampshire Cottage 6 Customs House (Conception Bay Museum) 7 - ..C" Coughlan United Church 8 .' --.... _-- IMmacuJate Conception Church 9 , -re ---- "1:1)Urt House .-- ,"...,. ... 10 I o 50 100m