2019.11.07 Heritage Committee Summary Report 08-19

TOWN OF INNISFIL

COMMITTEE SUMMARY REPORT 08-19

COMMITTEE: INNISFIL HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

DATE: NOVEMBER 7, 2019

LOCATION: COMMUNITY ROOMS B&C

ATTENDANCE

Voting Members: Councillor C. Payne, Chair; Deb Crawford, Vice Chair Jan Blommaert; Andrea Harper; and, Roger Johnson

Regrets: Elaine Splett

Non-Voting: Kevin Jacob, Assistant Clerk Gaelen Pierce, Placemaker / Planner

MOTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION BY COUNCIL

1. That 3869 7th Line be added to the Town of Innisfil’s Heritage Register and the property owner be so advised; and

2. That Council state its intention to provide Notice of Intent to Designate the property, municipally known as 6272 Yonge Street (“Lucas Store”), under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act; and

3. That Council state its intention to provide Notice of Intent to Designate the property, municipally known as 6273 Yonge Street (“Churchill House”), under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS

This summary was provided to the Committee for review and comments prior to consideration and approval by Council.

Item 4.1 Delegation - Mr. Rob Reith, re: 8 William Drive ∂ The Committee received a delegation from the property owner of 8 William Drive. ∂ Mr. Reith advised that he purchased the property (a double lot) with an existing dwelling on it. ∂ He built a new property on the vacant portion with a condition of severance that required adaptive re-use of the existing property which is located within the Cookstown Heritage Conservation District (HCD). ∂ Looking at demolishing the existing property and provided design examples of what the potential new build would look like. ∂ The Committee provided comments and asked questions of clarification, most notably, suggestions that would incorporate sections of the existing property into the new design (adaptive re-use). ∂ He was advised that he would need to follow the Heritage Permit process and provisions with the HCD Guidelines concerning new builds and the demolition of properties. Innisfil Heritage Advisory Committee November 7, 2019 Report No. 08-19 Page 2 of 3

Item 4.2 Delegation - Innisfil 2020 Update ∂ The Committee received a presentation from the Assistant Clerk regarding the Innisfil 2020 celebrations. ∂ He noted that a staff working group has been established to co-ordinate activities that are scheduled to take place throughout the year. ∂ The Committee has been tasked as the lead of Ontario Heritage Week and helping with the Heritage Speaker’s series. ∂ Further updates will be provided to the Committee as plans progress.

Item 6.1 – Working Groups

(a) Property Evaluation Working Group ∂ Members of the working group presented resolutions which were adopted by the Committee.

⋅ That the following property be recommended to be added to the Town of Innisfil’s Heritage Register: ∂ 3869 7th Line

⋅ That the following properties were recommended to have Notice of Intent to Designate provided on the following properties: ∂ 6272 Yonge Street (“Lucas Store”) ∂ 6273 Yonge Street (“Churchill House”)

⋅ The following property will be brought back to the Committee at their December meeting for consideration to be recommended to the Town’s Heritage Register. ∂ 6276 Yonge Street (“Waterloo Inn”)

(b) Cookstown Heritage Conservation District Working Group ∂ Mr. Johnson advised that the working group met with Town staff for an on-site meeting regarding 8 William Drive and to move forward with a review of the current HCD Guidelines. ∂ The Group met with Town staff regarding the review of the HCD Plan and Guidelines and recommended that the guidelines be edited to provide clearer guidance (not necessarily change) on topics such as demolition, and new builds within the district. The committee is looking forward to a response to the recommendations made by the working group. (c) Communications Working Group ∂ The Assistant Clerk advised that the Innisfil 2020 working group would like the Committee to consider crafting some communications pieces (Twitter, Facebook etc.) for Ontario Heritage Week in conjunction of the Innisfil 2020 kick-off.

Item 6.2 - 2020 Ontario Heritage Week – February 17 – 23, 2020 “Bringing the Past into the Future.” – Discussion on Potential Commemorative Activities ∂ The Committee discussed several options for Ontario Heritage Week. The Committee will confirm at its December meeting.

Item 6.3 - DRAFT Designation By-law - 3851 4th Line “Sloan/Dougherty/Shortt House” ∂ The final draft will be considered by the Committee at its December meeting

Item 6.4 - 2020 Heritage Committee Meeting dates ∂ The Committee confirmed its 2020 meeting dates. Innisfil Heritage Advisory Committee November 7, 2019 Report No. 08-19 Page 3 of 3

Item 8 - Pending Items ∂ The Committee adopted the following resolution:

That staff report back to the Committee on property standards enforcement efforts regarding vacant heritage properties, including 1350 6th Line (“Sawyer House”).

Item 9 - Announcements ∂ Ms. Crawford advised that Simcoe County Council will be considering a report to endorse the County’s Archaeological Management Plan at its meeting on November 12, 2019.

7 November 2019

To: Mayor Dollin, Deputy Mayor Davidson, and Councillors

Fr: Innisfil Heritage Committee

Subject: Recommendation to Designate 6273 Yonge Street Churchill

Municipal Address 6273 Yonge Street (Churchill) Innisfil, ON Legal Description Con 4, Plan 162 PT Lot 23 Pointer Coordinates Lat: 44.2519 Long: -79.6007 Role # 431601000310900 Inventory Identification Innisfil Heritage Registry March 16, 2016 - Council Resolution No. CR-054-03.16. Date of Construction c. 1867 Additions to the Unknown Buildings Original Use: Inn/Tavern/Hotel Building Name Church Hill House/Half Way House Original Owner Property sold to John Gregg by Hugh Trueman Current Use Residential/Rented Current Owner Current Zoning Official Plan Designation

Consultation with the property owner:

The owner was notified by letter in May 2016 of the heritage interest in the property. The owner has not contacted the Town or the Heritage Committee since that time. The letter was not returned undeliverable.

The owner has been advised of the recommendation to designate by Town staff. The owner does not reside on the property. No response has been received.

Architectural Assessment:

Style of Building:

This is a classic example of a storey and a half, wood frame structure typical of the construction techniques in the mid 1860’s. The ground floor was built with ample room for drinking and dining with dormitories above to house the sleeping quarters for weary travellers. Next door the stables offered food and rest for the horses and other livestock.

Design Details/Craftsmanship:

The most notable remaining features of the original building are the two sharply projecting dormer windows on the Yonge Street side, and the Regency style doorway. The present horizontal white siding echoes the original. The ground floor windows which began with the typical 6 over 6 pane configuration have been changed over the years to a 4 over 4 style, a sliding two panel format and finally to the present more horizontal 10 over10 style. Originally there was a high Georgian-style chimney at either end of the oblong structure. Several photographs of the building at different stages of its existence may be found on the Our Stories collection of the Innisfil Public Library. Samples of those have been added to the end of this summary.

Architectural Integrity:

The building has been maintained over the years and there is no reason to suspect that the structure has been compromised.

Design/Builder/ Architect:

Unknown.

Interior Elements:

The interior has been completely renovated.

Summary comments on architectural significance:

The structure is consistent with construction of that time. The exterior has remained virtually unchanged since its construction which is very unusual.

Design Compatibility with Streetscape:

The village of Churchill is centred at the intersection of Yonge Street and the 4th Line of Innisfil. Three of the four corners of which the Halfway house is on the north-east corner boast heritage properties. Churchill also features 2 historic churches which are clustered around the crossroads. St. Peter’s Anglican Church to the south on Yonge Street was originally built as a frame structure in 1858. The cornerstone for the Churchill United Church to the north on Yonge Street was laid in 1888.

Community Context:

The early pioneers settled in Innisfil in communities located along Lake Simcoe, or the rutted path that eventually became known as the Penetang Road. Gimby’s Corners as Churchill was called in the 1820’s attracted pioneers arriving via the lake and landing at Degrassi Point, or travelling north from York (Toronto) and Holland Landing.

The early settlers first cleared a small patch of forest and planted wheat as soon as they could so they would have a crop. Prior to 1835 they carried their wheat to the Red Mill at Holland Landing to be ground into flour for the winter.

According to information contained in the Documentary History of Education for Upper Canada the first school in Innisfil was erected at Gimby’s Corners in 1837-38. The children and young people came to this school from a radius of ten miles which in those days would include the north end of Bradford, Cookstown, Leonard’s Beach and a bit north of Painswick until 1847 when Cherry Creek School was built to the south, Tyrone was built to the north and other schools were built in the early settlements.

In the early years, those of the Church of England worshiped in the homes of the settlers. Missionaries sent from York (Toronto) between 1833 and 1842 travelled on foot to Barrie, Shanty Bay and eleven other surrounding townships. In Churchill, land was donated by George Duggan in 1846 and by 1848 a small frame and plaster church was built and paid for. The brick structure seen today, consecrated in 1886, was built east of the original structure.

The Presbyterians were served at Cherry Creek until 1871 or at the Sixth Line Church 1844- 1879. Many of the families from the Sixth Line Church formed a new group in 1879 and worshiped at Wycliffe Hall (upper storey of the Waterloo Inn). In 1888 plans were made for a new church and the corner stone was laid by Sir William Mulock that year. The Presbyterian Church at the top of the hill was opened in 1889 attracting many more people than could be accommodated for the service. Over 500 people purchased tickets for 25 cents and attended the “tea-meeting” the following Monday.

The nearest post office was located at Cherry Creek about 1 mile south of the village, until Henry Sloane was appointed postmaster in Churchill. The Sloane’s, first Henry then James and Edward were postmasters from 1858 until 1954.

The village was once a hub of commerce with carriage building and blacksmith business, a harness shop, dressmaking, shoemaking, photograph gallery and even pottery making. The two hotels offered not just rest and sustenance for travellers but provided meeting space which lead to the building of the churches, the organization of the Orange Lodge, and the Curling Club. The Township of Innisfil often held meetings at the Halfway House.

In the mid to late 1800’s a number of prominent families contributed to the development of the village, township and county such as Sloan, Allan, Paterson, Lucas, McLean, Matthers, Gregg, Canning, Todd, Reive, Clement, Boyes, Malcomson and Lennox to name a few.

The village was also home to one of the first 15 Curling Clubs in Ontario before 1900. The original game was played in 1878 on a flooded Hemlock Creek. The first rink was opened in 1880. Through the years Churchill curlers have distinguished themselves by bringing home many trophies and prizes.

The Women’s Institute was formed in 1903. While there have been many achievements, establishing running water in the Community Hall was certainly one of them. In addition, Mrs. Robert Boyes was well known throughout Simcoe County for her work establishing the Simcoe County Museum started in Barrie in 1930 and since moved to Midhurst.

The Loyal Order of Orangemen, a Protestant Fraternity Order was first organized in 1854 in Henry Sloan’s workshop with James Sloan as Master who gave the site on which the Orange Hall was built. In 1947 the Township of Innisfil purchased the Orange Hall for $500 for a Community Hall.

Many of the residents of Churchill have worked to towards the betterment of church and community. Eben Todd, warden of Simcoe County 1919; Gavin C. Allan 25 years to Innisfil Township first on Council and later Clerk; Robert Campbell President of Ontario Plowmen; Bette Tillman, Cherry Pie Queen of Canada 1957; and Misses Sylvia and Edith Kell and Mrs. Shirley (Kell) Constable girls’ vocal trio winners of Ontario Junior Farmers 1956 just to name a few.

Landmark Status:

Church Hill House became known as the “Halfway House” as travellers had reached the halfway point between Holland Landing and Barrie once they reached this village.

Larry Cotton, author of Whiskey and Wickedness: Yonge Street: 100 Taverns in 100 Miles, includes this Inn as part of his documentary of the taverns along the Penetang Road (#13, Figure 40, 41). The Church Hill House is one of 100 other similar inns that once lined the old Penetang Road between Penetanguishene and Toronto catering to the needs of travellers in the horse and buggy age.

Site Sketch:

Historical Assessment:

Trends Patterns/Themes:

The main commercial area of the village was and remains along what was once called the Penetang Road and more recently Yonge Street and the intersection of the 4th line. The Sloan building located on the south west corner was demolished some years ago however the Lucas store on the north west corner remains a landmark to travellers along the highway. Just to the north of the Lucas Store and bricked at the same time is the former Waterloo Inn and Whycliff Hall which later became known as the Canning Apartments. Next going north is the former home of Wallace Sloan, blacksmith and the Harry Sloan residence, structures that to this day reflect the architecture of the mid to late 1800’s.

On the east side of the road the Sinclaire home continues to be part of an active farming operation. Just to the north is the Anglican manse and on the corner is the former home of Thomas Allen. Across the 4th line is the Halfway House or Churchill Inn which served travellers heading north/south between York and Penetanguishene or east/west to link the western villages of the Cookstown, Bethesda etc. with the Northern Railway in Lefroy and Belle Ewart. To the north was the Doctor’s house, in which Doctors Lund, Reeve, Little, Leader, Pickard, and McCallum resided over the years. These properties continue to contribute to the historic streetscape of the village.

Events or Persons:

John Gregg was born in Ireland about 1832. In c.1855 he married Elisa Miscampbell whose family had a farm at the South-half Lot 13 Concession 3 Innisfil.

John and Elisa were listed on the 1861 census in a frame house in or very near Churchill. John was listed as a carpenter. They had 2 children; Andrew 4 and Mary Louisa (Minnie) 2. Mary Catherine, born in 1859 died in 1864 and is buried at the Sixth Line Cemetery.

The land records show John Gregg purchased one acre in the South-half of Lot 16, Concession 4 in July 1867 from Hugh Trueman for 850 pounds.

In 1871 John and Elisa appear on the census, living in Churchill. John is listed as a hotel keeper. They now have 5 children with the addition of Elisa Jane 12, Robert J. 6 and William F. 10 months.

The 1872/3 Directory of Simcoe County (p 71) lists John Gregg as hotel keeper in the village of Churchill.

John died at only 43 years of age in 1874 leaving his young wife and young children. Elisa continued to run the hotel called Church Hill House after the death of her husband.

Elisa Gregg appears on the 1881 census in Churchill, a widow.

In the 1891 Census Elisa and her family are still listed.

In April 1896 Elisa died and was buried next to her husband in the Sixth Line Cemetery in Innisfil. The children eventually moved away from the Churchill.

 Andrew had moved to Winnipeg Manitoba, married with family; occupation – grocer, died 1932  Elisa Jane stayed in Churchill until 1898 then moved to Barrie and then to Winnipeg to be with Andrew. She died in 1901  Robert John moved to Port Perry, married, occupation – lumber merchant, died 1903  Mary Louise (Minnie), unmarried, stayed in Churchill until 1900 and then in moved to Winnipeg to be with Andrew in 1901.  William Frederick, moved to Allandale, occupation veterinary surgeon, died in 1900 of TB.

In May of 1900 the Land Records show Elisa and Minnie sold the home/hotel to David W. Lennox and Edward H. Sloan (Postmaster 1895 – 1954). In 1909 David Lennox sold his share to Edward H. Sloan. It was rented by Graham Timmons and opened as “The Halfway House” – the name long-time residents of the area knew it by.

Edward sold it in 1923 to Earnest Lovick of Churchill. Ernest Lovick sold it in 1932 to John Boyes who later sold it to Edith Donnely.

Summary Comments on Historic Significance

The Greggs were typical settlers in the area; skilled in carpentry as well as hoteliers.

Elisa’s family, the Miscampbells farmed their property to the south of Churchill; Lot 13 Concession 3 for well over 100 years. Andrew Miscampbell was awarded a Crown Deed in 1832 and according to the land records owned the property at least until the 1990’s.

Edward Sloane (Sloan) purchased the Church Hill House in 1909 with David W. Lennox. Edward Sloan was the Postmaster for Churchill from March 1895 until he resigned in September 1954. Prior to Edward, Henry and James Sloane were postmasters since 1858 with Henry being the first Postmaster on record. Overall the Sloane’s were the Churchill Postmasters for 96 years.

Recommendation:

Within Innisfil there are a number of small villages that were once hubs of activity supporting the local pioneers and the settlers travelling along the Penetang Road between the shores of Georgian Bay and Toronto. Yonge Street, formerly known as the King’s Highway # 11 and Penetang Road continues to be a major transportation artery to growth areas in Innisfil including Churchill, Alcona, Lefroy and Friday Harbour.

The increasing traffic, the proposed widening of this roadway and pressures from developers will further jeopardize the infrastructure of these heritage properties. It is recommended that properties of significance such as the Half-Way House be afforded the utmost protection to preserve the historical evolution of Innisfil.

Based on the individual and combined assessments of the historical significance of this property, the Heritage Committee recommends the Halfway House/Church Hill House be designated in accordance with Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act 1990. The property has been assessed as Group 1 with scores above 70.

Innisfil Heritage Committee

Historical Sources:

Ontario Land Records 1861, 1867, 1871, 1881, Census Records Directory of Simcoe County 1872/3 Innisfil Public Library – Our Stories Library and Archives of Canada Innisfil Review ( 1954, 1967 & 1984)

Photos:

Photograph taken in 1870 of "Churchill House", an early hotel in Churchill. The sign located above the door was said to have been brought from the 6th Line where there was an inn. It was moved because the owner thought the 4th Line was a better location for a business. The building later became the home of Ruth Terrell.

Our Stories 1858

Photo of a street in the village of Churchill taken in 1915, looking south. Visible on the east side are: the Churchill Hotel, Thomas Allan residence, and the Presbyterian manse. Visible on the west side are: Mrs. Canning's (upper apartment, to north) the seamstress, and the General store on the corner. A horse and buggy are also visible in the centre of the photo.

Our Stories 2002

Photo of a house with white siding and decorative shutters that formerly served as the Churchill Hotel. The photo was taken after the building had been converted into a private residence.

Our Stories 2438

Picture taken from the roadside May 2008

Copy of the Record of Post Offices and Postmasters, Library and Archives Canada

A 1910 Road Crew Our stories 4052

Note: This equipment would not have been available for the building of the Penetang Rd in the 1850’s

This street scene depicts the 4th Concession of Innisfil looking east from Highway 11, circa 1930- 1935. Churchill. Garage, residence formerly an old hotel - before Ivan Burke built his house on the extreme left. Highway 11 previously known as Penetang Road. Our Stories 3700

Road Packer 1905 Our Stories 2648030

Note: This equipment would not have been available for the building of the Penetang Rd in the 1850’s

November 2019

To: Mayor Dollin, Deputy Mayor Davidson, and Councillors

Fr: Innisfil Heritage Committee

Subject: Recommendation to Designate 6273 Yonge Street Churchill

Municipal Address 6272 Yonge Street (Churchill) Innisfil, ON Legal Description Con 4, Plan 162 PT Lot 23 Pointer Coordinates Lat: 44.2517 Long: -79.6015 Role # 431601000308400 Inventory Identification Innisfil Heritage Registry March 16, 2016 - Council Resolution No. CR-054-03.16. Date of Construction c. 1869 Additions to the Unknown Buildings Original Use: General Store/Storage/Residence Building Name Lucas General Store Original Owner Current Use Multiple Tenants Current Owner Current Zoning Official Plan Designation

Consultation with the property owner:

The owner has been advised of the Committee’s recommendation to designate by Town staff. The owner has not responded.

Architectural Assessment:

Style of Building:

The store structure is distinctive, in that it is built into the side of a hill. The tall fieldstone foundation forms the outer walls, built right out to the road allowances. Two large windows on the ground floor level to the east provided light until recent renovations. The second storey was originally a frame house fronting onto the ground level to the rear or west side of the building. Immediately to the north was a storage shed between the store and the “Waterloo Inn”. The store was later expanded to include the shed with the residence above.

The pictures below (from Our Stories) show the original structure prior to 1880 and the bricked structure.

Prior to c. 1880 After c. 1880

In approximately 1880 this whole building except for the stone wall was then bricked with red and buff bricks to make an impressive structure.

Design Details/Craftsmanship:

In its present configuration, the building includes the original house, store, and the storage shed The structure shows the fine red and buff brickwork of Lucas’ renovations from the 1880’s and a tin roof. The gable end of the store, facing Yonge Street is trimmed at the apex with fanciful bargeboard. The buff brick ornamentation can be seen in the banding and in the curved soldier courses above the windows. The four upper windows in the “Waterloo Inn” show a different

2 pattern in that they are square at the top with buff bricks edging the top of the widow sides. The quoins also show the buff brickwork in the common “zipped” form. Notable in the old “storage shed” roof are two sharply projecting dormer windows which echo those in the Halfway House across the road. The original store had a wooden balcony supported by wooden columns projecting over the side walk protecting the front of the store with its two large display windows. These features have disappeared over time.

Architectural Integrity:

The building has been maintained over the years and there is no reason to suspect that the structure has been compromised.

Design/Builder/ Architect:

The actual builder/architect of the frame buildings remains unknown.

Interior Elements:

The interior has been completely renovated and divided into rental apartments.

Summary comments on architectural significance:

The Lucas General Store has been a landmark for travellers along the Penetang Road and more recently Yonge Street since it was erected in 1869. The unique design of the building and the brick ornamentation continues to dominate the intersection.

Design Compatibility with Streetscape:

Community Context:

3 when Cherry Creek School was built to the south, Tyrone was built to the north and other schools were built in the early settlements.

Tillman, Cherry Pie Queen of Canada 1957; and Misses Sylvia and Edith Kell and Mrs. Shirley (Kell) Constable girls’ vocal trio winners of Ontario Junior Farmers 1956 just to name a few.

Landmark Status:

There has been some semblance of a store on this site since the earliest settlers, the Gimbys, tried to supplement their farm income as early as the 1830’s. Initially the village was known as “Gimby’s Corners”. John Lucas started keeping the store in the old frame building until it was bricked in 1880. The brickwork and the prominence of the structure in Churchill supports the distinction of “landmark” status.

Site Sketch:

Note: Immediately to the north of the Lucas store and butting against the store is the Waterloo also known as the Whylciffe Hall and Richard Canning Apartments. This property is separate and distinct from the Lucas Store even though it was bricked in 1880 with the same pattern as the store.

Historical Assessment:

Trends Patterns/Themes:

Events or Persons:

“Rev. David Hardy, the first resident Methodist preacher in the county used to travel every week from Holland Landing to Penetanguishene in the discharge of his clerical duties. The members of his church lived from end to end of the county and he ministered to them at different places along the route. One of his appointments was at Gimby’s Corners (now Churchill)”

Rev. David Hardy was born in Scotland and was received on trial in Simcoe County in 1836.

(Article and map from the newsletter of the Methodist Church in Canada. Link to the article is at the end of this document).

Innisfil has named a park located at the north end of Churchill just west of Yonge Street “ Gimby Park” in honour of the first settlers in the area.

John Lucas Sr. (1801- 1873) and his wife Rose Anne Sloan (1800-1884) came to innisfil before 1850 to the south half of Lot 18 Concession 5.

Rose Anne Sloan was the sister of the Sloan brothers who were postmasters for the Churchill Post Office from 1858 to 1895. John Sloan Lucas (son of John Lucas Sr. and Rose Anne

Sloan) married his wife Elizabeth Allan in May 1869 at which time he started to keep a store in Churchill.

In 1838 William Allan with his son Gavin moved to lot 15 Concession 5 from the Dalhousie Settlement in Lanark County. Gavin married Agnes Goodfellow. Their son, John Allan married Agnes Barclay. John and Agnes’ daughter Elizabeth married John Sloan Lucas. Gavin was Innisfil Township Clerk 1937-1954.

John was listed as Presbyterian, and merchant on the 1871 Canadian Census. Born in Ireland in 1844 he was 27 years old at the time. John and Elizabeth had one daughter while living in Churchill, Rose Annie. John was trained as a teacher and taught at the Tyrone School while operating the store from 1869 to 1886 when the family moved to Toronto.

Below: Photograph of the Churchill Store taken in 1890. Note the balcony on the story, which was used to present prizes to plowing match winners and so on. It is recorded that in 1896, the prizes from a plowing match at the farm of David Lennox (SH Lot 17, Con. 4) were presented from this balcony.

Our Stories #

1988

James Belrose was listed on the 1891 and 1901 census as merchant in Churchill. Before the next census in 1911 he had moved his business to Bradford.

Stephen Wesley Moore is listed in the 1901 census as merchant with his wife Alice Elsey (daughter of William and Ann Elsey). By 1911 he and his family had moved to Barrie and continued to be a merchant.

John Lemon is named by Walter Reive in his “History of Churchill” however, no sources have been located to collaborate his involvement with the store.

Summary Comments on Historic Significance

The Sloan, Lucas, Allan, and Goodfellow families are all well known and well documented early settlers in the area around Churchill.

It is recorded that prizes from the local plowing matches were presented to winners from the balcony of the Lucas Store.

From as early as 1836 a store has been located on the southeast corner of Lot 15 Concession 4. Although many of the original ornamentations such as the balcony and bargeboard have been removed, the brick facade, quoins etc. remain the same as when John Lucas renovated the property in 1880.

Recommendation:

Within Innisfil there are a number of small villages that were once hubs of activity supporting the local pioneers and the settlers travelling along the Penetang Road between the shores of Georgian Bay and Toronto. Yonge Street, formerly known as the Kings Highway # 11 and Penetang Road continues to be a major transportation artery to growth areas in Innisfil including Churchill, Alcona, Lefroy and Friday Harbour.

The increasing traffic, the proposed widening of this roadway and pressures from developers will further jeopardize the infrastructure of these heritage properties. It is recommended that properties of significance such as the Lucas General Store be afforded the utmost protection to preserve the historical evolution of Innisfil.

Based on the individual and combined assessments of the historical significance of this property, the Heritage Committee recommends the Lucas Store be designated in accordance with Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act 1990. The property has been assessed as Group 1 with scores above 70.

Innisfil Heritage Committee

Historical Sources:

Ontario Land Records 1861, 1867, 1871, 1881, Census Records Directory of Simcoe County 1872/3 Innisfil Public Library – Our Stories Library and Archives of Canada