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Municipal Heritage Committee
Monday, May 6, 2019 6:30 PM Boardroom, Development and Engineering Services, 305 Barrie Street, Bradford
Agenda
A meeting of the Heritage Committee of The Corporation of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury will be held Monday, May 6, 2019 at 6:30 PM, in the Boardroom, Development and Engineering Services, 305 Barrie Street, Bradford, ON. Pages 1. Call to Order The Chair calls the meeting to order.
2. Adoption of Agenda Recommendation: That the Committee Agenda dated May 6, 2019 be adopted as printed.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature
4. Presentations/Deputations
5. Open Forum Members of the public who are in attendance are invited to address the Committee by signing the Open Forum Register.
6. Adoption of Minutes
3 - 6 6.1 Adoption of Minutes
Recommendation: That the minutes of the April 4, 2019 meeting be adopted as printed.
7. Correspondence
7 - 10 7.1 Letter concerning Earl Rowe farm Newton Robinson
Page 2 of 38 Heritage Committee - Agenda May 6, 2019
8. Request for Removal - Subcommittee Reports
8.1 Demolition Request for 3412 Line 11 (Listed)
9. Unfinished Business
9.1 Old Bradford High School
11 - 23 9.2 4240 County Road 88 - Quaint House
9.3 Doors Open 2019 - September 21, 2019
24 - 38 9.4 Fisher's Corners School House - possible designation of 3769 Line 9
9.5 Plaque Program
9.6 Bond Head Heritage Conservation District Study Update
10. New Business
10.1 Outdoor Movies and Music in the Park - Heritage Committee possible participation
11. Announcements
12. Next Meeting
12.1 Meeting Date - June 6th, 2019
12.2 Agenda items
13. Adjourn Recommendation: That the meeting is hereby adjourned at ______.
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Heritage Committee
Thursday, April 4, 2019 6:30 PM Boardroom, Development and Engineering Services, 305 Barrie Street, Bradford
Minutes
Members Present: Rob Keffer, Mayor Lisa Hawkins Ron Orr, Councillor Tracy McCann Ian Cooper Mary Ellen Slykhuis
Regrets: Shannon Preece
Staff: Thomas Dysart, Planner Leisl McDill, Committee Coordinator Brandon Slopack, Planner
Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Adoption of Agenda HC-2019-06 Hawkins/Slykhuis That the Committee Agenda dated April 4, 2019 be approved as amended. CARRIED.
Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature There were no declarations at this or any other time.
Presentations/Deputations Presentation on Architecture by Ian Cooper Ian Cooper made a presentation on historical architecture to the Committee.
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Open Forum David Chambers spoke to the Committee concerning the Official Plan adoption and what heritage policies might exist within it. He would also like to know the status of the potential heritage rebate program, the 72 Holland Street East property that was destroyed by fire and the Earl Rowe property.
James Scott spoke to the Committee about their designated property in Bond Head and the cost to maintain the home. He asked the Committee about any potential tax rebates that would help offset the cost of maintaining the designated attributes of the property.
Adoption of Minutes Adoption of Minutes
HC-2019-07 McCann/Hawkins That the minutes of the March 4, 2019 meeting be adopted as printed. CARRIED. Request for Removal - Subcommittee Reports There were no requests for removal. Unfinished Business Edmanson Hotel
There is no update on this property.
Doors Open 2019 - September 21, 2019 The Committee will brainstorm about possible sites and approach possible sites to gage interest. They will make a decision about participation at their May meeting.
Old Bradford High School The Committee discussed gaining access to the building or having the building open to the public for a day.
Fisher's Corners School House - possible designation of 3769 Line 9 Staff provided an overview of the history of the property and the inability to contact the owner.
HC-2019-08 Cooper/Slykhuis That staff and the committee report back on SS 7 Fisher’s Corner, 3769 Line 9 regarding potential designation. CARRIED.
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Designation of Coulson's Hill Church update Staff updated the new committee members on the previous steps taken towards designation of this property. Staff will continue to work with the property owners to move towards designation.
Designation of Newton Robinson Church update
There is no update on this property.
3676 Line 11 farmhouse - possible listing suggest by last term's committee Ian Cooper noted that this property was previously on the Heritage Register and when the property was evaluated, following the request for removal, it was not in condition did not qualify for designation.
Plaque Program Brandon Slopack provided the finalized program and plaque to the Committee. The program will be launched and advertised immediately.
Bond Head Heritage Conservation District Study Update The Heritage Conservation District Study's next step will be another public meeting. The Committee discussed how to ensure that all residents in Bond Head have the opportunity to have their say and participate in this meeting.
New Business
200th Anniversary of the Scotch Settlement Mayor Keffer noted that the Local History Association will be holding a gathering on a Sunday in June at the Auld Kirk to celebrate.
2019 Ontario Heritage Conference The Committee members will look at the Conference information and discuss attendance at their May meeting.
Resignation of member
HC-2019-09 Cooper/Sylkhuis That the resignation of Shannon Preece be received and that a member be appointed in her place. CARRIED. Announcements April 15th at 7pm – Regional Review Town Hall Meeting, BWG Public Library, Zima Room (425 Holland St. W, Bradford). Page 4 of 4 Page 6 of 38 Heritage Committee - Minutes April 4, 2019
Next Meeting Meeting Date - May 6, 2019
Agenda items
• Doors Open 2019 • Old Bradford High School • Fisher's Corners School House Designation Report • Designation of Coulson's Hill Church update • Designation of Newton Robinson Church update • Earl Rowe property • Heritage Conservation District Study • Ontario Heritage Conference
Adjourn HC-2019-10 Cooper/Hawkins That the meeting is hereby adjourned at 8:35 p.m. CARRIED.
Ron Orr, Chair
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SIMCOE COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Box 144 Barrie Ontario L4M 4S9 Ted Duncan President [email protected]
April 23, 2019
Dear Mayor Keffer and Council, Town of Bradford-West Gwillimbury;
The Simcoe County Historical Association is very concerned about the loss of historical farm structures. Barns seem to be disappearing at an increasing rate mainly because they are not used by our farm communities as they once were. These buildings are important reflections of our past rural development in our County and our Province.
It has come to our attention from the Tecumseh and West Gwillimbury Historical Society that a house and barn of historical significance may be lost in your Town near Newton Robinson. We understand that the Earl Rowe farm is the property in question. The Rowe farm was important for the breeding and raising of horses for harness racing. Mr Rowe was well known in harness racing for the quality of his horses and his driving skills. He was important to the development of race tracks in the County and in the Province as well.
Earl Rowe was a significant person to your Town, to the County as Warden, to the Province as MPP and to the Country for 25 years as MP (attach is an article on his life from the Simcoe Review written by one of our Board Members) Also of more importance, Mr Rowe was the 20th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1963 to 1968.
After his death in 1984, he was honoured for his service by the Tecumseh and West Gwillimbury Historical Society and his community with a historical plaque at his farm. The Rt. Hon. D. Roland Michener, former Governor General of Canada, the Hon. Page 8 of 38
Ellen Fairclough, the Hon Perrin Beatty, chairman of the Ontario heritage Foundation, Mr. Richard M.H. Alway and many of the Rowe family were at the unveiling of the plaque in 1987.
Tecumseh and West Gwillimbury Historical Society hopes that the Town will designate the farm buildings, house and barn, as Heritage Buildings. The owner could then sever, with the Town's permission, the Heritage Buildings along with a small acreage. The small parcel could then be sold to someone who would be willing to refurbish and maintain the buildings as a heritage property. It could become a home and a small hobby farm and thus maintain its Historic place in the community. The present owner would then be able to use the rest of the land without the liability of caring for the buildings.
The Simcoe County Historical Association and the Tecumseh and West Gwillimbury Historical Society hope the historic connection to Earl Rowe can be maintained in the community through the conservation of the farm property. We believe that conservation is the wise use of a property and we hope that the solution proposed then is a win – win proposal for the owner, the people of Bradford-West Gwillimbury and history.
Thank You; Respectfully;
Ted Duncan President Simcoe County Historical Association copied to Caroline Mulroney MPP Simcoe County Warden George Cornell & Councl Page 9 of 38
The life of William Earl Rowe, 1894-1984 April 1, 2019 SimcoeCountyHistoricalAssociation .
William Earl Rowe was born on May 13, 1894, in Hull, Iowa, to Canadian parents. He moved to Ontario with his family when he was two years old. Rowe grew up to become a farmer and cattle breeder in the township of West Gwillimbury, with what proved to be a lifelong passion for horses and harness racing. In 1917, at age 23, he married Treva Alda Lillian Lennox. Together they had four children, one of whom sadly died at birth. It was around this time that Rowe first entered politics, beginning at the local level. In 1919, at age 25, he was elected reeve of West Gwillimbury. In 1923, when his term as township reeve ended, Rowe’s political career began to eclipse his agricultural one when he was elected as a Conservative Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for the riding of Simcoe South. In 1925 he graduated from provincial to federal politics when he was elected a Conservative Member of Parliament for Dufferin- Simcoe. Rowe remained in the House of Commons for ten years until the disastrous election of 1935, when he, like many Conservative MPs, lost his seat to the Liberals of William Lyon Mackenzie King over the Conservatives’ perceived bungling of the federal response to the Great Depression. In 1936, Rowe returned to provincial politics when he became leader of the Conservative Party of Ontario. However, because Rowe did not then hold a seat in the provincial legislature, the former Page 10 of 38
Conservative premier George S. Henry served as official leader of the opposition in the provincial parliament. During the 1937 Ontario election, Rowe took a pro-labour stance that today seems uncommon for conservative politicians to have. Rowe opposed Liberal premier Mitchell Hepburn’s condemnation of labour unions and the attempted unionization of the General Motors plant in Oshawa, arguing that the issue was not about “law and order but the right of free association.” Rowe’s stance on the issue led George A. Drew, Rowe’s former rival for the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives, to break with the party in order to run as an “independent conservative” opposed to the mainstream party leader’s stance on organized labour. Rowe failed to win a seat in the election and subsequently resigned as leader of the provincial Progressive Conservatives. George Drew later returned to the party to replace Rowe as leader. Drew went on to become premier of Ontario from 1943 to 1948. Shortly after his defeat at the provincial level, Earl Rowe returned to federal politics when he was acclaimed in a by-election for the House of Commons seat he had vacated in order to run in the Ontario election. Rowe kept his seat in the House of Commons for another 25 years. In 1948 Rowe’s former rival George Drew became leader of the federal Conservatives, and in 1954 and 1956 Rowe served as interim leader of the opposition when Drew was too ill to perform his duties. From 1958 until the end of his federal career in 1962, Rowe was joined in Parliament by his daughter and fellow Progressive Conservative MP, Jean Casselman Wadds. They were the only father and daughter to ever sit together in the House of Commons. In 1963, Rowe left Parliamentary politics to become the 20th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Over the next five years, he proved himself to be a staunch supporter of agricultural and rural affairs in the province. Rowe retired from political life in 1968, at age 74. He died on February 9, 1984, at Newton Robinson. A public school in Bradford and a provincial park near Alliston are named in his honour. Photo: William Earl Rowe was born in 1894 in Iowa to Canadian parents. He moved to Ontario with his family when he was two years old. He grew up to become a farmer and cattle breeder in the township of West Gwillimbury,
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The Smith/Quaint House, 4240 County Road 88 Heritage Assessment 4240 County Road 88, Bond Head June 10, 2015
Prepared for: Geoff McKnight Chief Administrative Officer Prepared by: Ian Cooper, Lynda Usher, Franz Aschwanden, Craig Cunningham Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury BWG Municipal Heritage Committee
1 INTRODUCTION
This report has been prepared for the Town of Bradford, West Gwillimbury in regards to 4240 County Road 88, Bond Head a commercial zoned property containing a single residential style house with attached recent commercial addition. The home was originally owned by James Smith built in approximately 1865 and is colloquially known as the Quaint house.
The Smith house is currently included in the municipal registry of heritage properties as a listed property under the Ontario Heritage Act. The purpose of this report is to assess the cultural and historical value of the property and provide a recommendation as to elevating the status of the property from ‘listed’ to that of ‘designated’ under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The assessment of the site is based on the document titled Evaluation of Heritage Resources in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury created by the municipal heritage advisory committee in 2012 as well as the criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest (Ontario regulation 9/06 under the Ontario Heritage Act) and considers the historical, architectural and contextual value of the property.
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1.1 Findings:
The Smith house exhibits significant cultural heritage value in terms of its historical, architectural and contextual qualities.
In terms of architecture the house displays excellent distinct design and style of mid to late nineteenth century vernacular architecture despite some alterations the exterior façade is largely intact including an impressive Greek neo-classical entrance.
The historic value of the site has been recognized by the community as evidenced by the homes inclusion on the municipal registry of historic homes. The past occupants including the Smith family are associated with the growth and prosperity of the village of Bond Head in the 1870’s to the early twentieth century. Its conversion in more recent years into a restaurant ensured it remained in the public memory.
The original context had been compromised by the addition of a garage on the western side and a matching commercial addition to the eastern and northern sides. The southern elevation faces a primary and busy highway and remains mostly intact. It is this elevation that contributes greatly to the character of the immediate context and is a landmark to the eastern boundary of the central, historic portion of Bond Head.
1. 2 Site Location and Description
The structure is a two story house with attached sub-grade garage attached to the west and commercial additions to the east and north.
It is located on the north side of County Road 88 occupying part of the southern portion of lot 1, Concession VII in the village of Bond Head and its front elevation directly faces County Road 88.
The buildings PN number is 58035-0061 and the tax assessment number is 431202000116700. Page 13 of 38
Site plan provided by owner
South elevation East elevation
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North elevation West elevation
2. BACKGROUND RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
2.1 Design
Massing
The Smith house is currently a two story detached brick structure facing roughly north/south and with the addition of a below grade garage on the west and single story commercial additions to the east and north or the original building. (See previous images)
Main Entrance
The main entrance is on the southern elevation that faces County Road 88 with a set back of approximately 31 feet with paving stones leading to the sidewalk and cement foundations for pillars at the street entrance (removed). The entrance currently has a neo-classical rectangular façade with a three bay arrangement of two windows flanking a central entranceway on the ground level and three equally spaced windows on the second story. All of the original windows on the building have been replaced with vinyl type window units.
Elevations
The exterior is red brick.
There is a band of dichromatic yellow/red bricks arranged in a decorative manner marking the mid point of the second story and visible from the southern and western elevations.
The corners of the building feature painted yellow false quoins. Page 15 of 38
The south elevation facing County Road 88 features highly distinctive ‘basket weave’ patterned brick embellishments and displays an elegant Greek inspired neo-classical wooden entranceway complete with pilasters, moldings, maltese cross door and elegant, refined dentil molding details.
South elevation showing dichromatic brickworkDetail of front entranceway
The bottom window and door have yellow, arched soldier course brick lintels and likely have the original wooden sills and brick moldings beneath the present aluminum flashing.
There is a commercial type addition visible from the front of the building that is a single story brick structure with dichromatic elements to match the original house.
The eastern elevation shows the commercial addition primarily with only a small amount of the original eastern exposure of the older building visible above the flat roofed addition.
The norther elevation shows the commercial addition that is finished in yellow colored stucco. There is a small deck present on the side of the building.
The western elevation again shows much of the original two story brick structure with the previously described commercial, stuccoed addition visible and the addition of a sub grade Page 16 of 38
garage or storage facility. There are two windows on the main level, one of which have been altered in size. The two remaining windows on the second level have been replaced with modern vinyl style windows but appear to be the original size aperture.
Windows
All of the original fenestrations on the original portion of the building appear to have been replaced with modern vinyl double-hung windows. There appears to be the original window sills on the souther elevation but aluminum flashing prevents exploration.
Roof
The roof of the original building is a hip roof covered with metal flashing. The cornice soffits are covered with vinyl. The additions to the property all feature flat roofs.
Interior
The owner of the property kindly allowed examination of the interior of the older portion of the home.
The majority of the historic features on the interior of the home have been altered or removed. The entranceway and window molding on the south side appear original. There are several linear feet of original baseboards and door surrounds in existence. The stair newel post, treads and stringers appear original to the addition of a second story.
The floors appear to be in poor condition with deflection evident. The walls appear intact with no cracking or bowing on the main and second levels. There is no indication there has been water damage to the ground level or second level.
The basement joists supporting the main floor are unusual in that logs were used with the tops flattened to accept the pine floor boards. The logs are tenoned into mortises in the sills. Water intrusion and lack of ventilation over time has resulted in seeming central sagging and multiple previous attempts to rectify the situation through the use of additional perimeter cinder block bracing of the joist ends and central steel supports. The addition of cement and ceramics flooring above has added to the difficulty. Mold and wet damp are present including wooden materials, floors and western wall predominantly. The footings, joists, flooring and water penetration should be addressed and corrected.
Historic Conditions and Alterations
The Smith house has undergone several changes since its construction in approximately 1865.
The house was originally a single story wooden structure. The exact building date cannot accurately be ascertained at this time. James Smith purchased the property and adjacent acreage in 1869 and at some point in the future added a second story and had the façade of the building Page 17 of 38
covered in the brick we see today. The house is on the original foundations which are close to County Road 88. A turn of the century image shows the distinctive and attractive building with its original portico, second floor landing and pleasing brick pillars marking the entrance from the street.
There are window shutter now removed, a central chimney stack now removed and an older addition to the rear, now removed.
2.2 Site History
The house was originally built in 1865 (MPAC source) though local historian sources favor a building date of approximately 1855. The home was purchased in 1869 by a farmer and stock breeder named James Smith. Mr. Smith purchased an adjacent 25 acres in Lot 2, Concession VII at the same time. Mr. Smith was born in 1835 and according to the 1871 Canadian census records was married to Matilda Smith when the property was purchased. In 1873 James and Matilda had a daughter named Mary J. Smith. In 1901, the family adopted the daughters of a veteran of the Boer war who lived in Toronto.
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The two girls were named Kathleen, 16 and Annie, 12. Records indicate there were several other residents in the home over the years, most likely farm workers and laborers. The family lived on the property until at least 1911.
In the 1970’s the property was owned by Rolf and Angela Ranthum and it was they who first opened a restaurant known as ‘The Quaint House’ on the premises.
2.3 Context
House Site
The house located on a roughly rectangular lot with approximately 100 meters of frontage along County Road 88 and having a depth of approximately 52 meters. The ground slopes towards the northwest where retaining walls are visible. The back of the lot slopes precipitously towards adjacent northern farm lands. Page 19 of 38
The main entrance currently leads to an asphalt covered parking lot to the east of the buildings with a stone walkway extending in a curve to the front entrance of the original home. Extensive gardens and landscaping was present. Many of the trees from the front and back of the property are now removed. The building is in clear view from the road.
On the east side of the property are two older, historic homes. The home to the west of the property is also an older historic home. There are three modern residences on the southern side of County Road 88 directly facing the property and the historic Anglican Church is also opposite the building.
First house to the west of the propertyfirst house to the east of the property
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Second house to the east of the property Northern side of road showing context of building
Anglican Church to the northeast
Historic Context
The village of Bond Head is one of the oldest villages in Simcoe County with original settlement beginning in approximately the 1820’s and roughly centered at the cross roads of the now named County Roads 88 and 27. It was and still is largely a farming community that grew very quickly during the first few decades of the nineteenth century.
The growth of the community accelerated with the introduction of the plank road in 1851 to 1858 making transportation of goods and services between Bond Head, Bradford and Holland Landing easier.
Sadly a fire in the 1860’s destroyed a significant number of the older building in the central part of the village. It is shortly after this period that James Smith purchased the home. It is interesting to note that perhaps the brick cladding was added in equal parts by the increased fire resistance brick offered as much as the status a brick dwelling bestowed on the owner. In any case, it is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of Mr. Smith and the vernacular builder to add a second level to the more humble original wooden dwelling and dress it in such finely patterned brick façade.
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It is in the latter part of the twentieth century that the building was converted into a restaurant. In this capacity many, many people had the opportunity to visit inside the home and as a community, the people of Bond Head grew familiar with both the exterior and interior of the house.
Likewise, though a major addition was recently added when the building was reopened as a second restaurant incarnation as the ‘Poco Cabello’, this again reinforced the relationship between the building and the community.
The dramatic patterned brick façade signals the eastern entrance to the village and is a very distinctive landmark to townspeople, tourists and motorists.
3. ASSESSMENT OF VALUE
The site is a listed heritage property. It is not located within a heritage conservation district.
The site was assessed by members of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Municipal Heritage Committee using the Criteria for Determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest, Ontario Reg. 9/06, under the Ontario Heritage Act. The assessment is summarized below.
VALUE: ASSESSMENT: (quoted from Ontario Reg. 9/06) (4240 County Road 88) 1. The property has design value or physical value The Smith house is an excellent representative example because it: of a mid to late nineteenth century vernacular neo classical brick farm house in the village of Bond Head. (i)is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, It displays distinctive patterned brickwork the main type, expression, material or construction method, components of which are largely intact, particularly on (ii)displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit the southern elevation. or, (iii)demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific The interior has limited cultural heritage value due to achievement. renovations.
2. The property has historical value or associative value The community has recognized the site as having because it: important historic value. Past occupants of the house are early settlers in the village and lived in the home (i)has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, for several decades. The site memorializes the activity, organization or institution that is significant to agricultural foundations of the region as well the a community, dedication and struggles of the early pioneers. (ii) yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture, or (iii) demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community. 3. The property has contextual value because it: The building set-back from County Road 88 and its distinctive mass, color and style contribute enormously (i)is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the to the character of the immediate site context, character of an area, particularly the surrounding three historic homes. (ii)is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings, or The building has long been a landmark on the eastern (iii)is a landmark. edge of Bond Head.
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4. DRAFT STATEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE Site Description The Smith house, located at 4240 County Road 88, is a two story brick detached house with recent commercial additions. The house was originally built in 1865, as indicated by tax assessment records. The house was primarily a private residence but since the 1970’s has existed as a commercial building. The site has been listed on the Municipal Registry for Heritage Properties.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
The Smith house has cultural heritage value due to its architectural design, its historic associations and its contextual value in contributing to the character of its immediate context. The site is associated with the early agricultural settlement and evolution of the Bond Head village in Bradford West Gwillimbury from its formative growth years in the mid nineteenth century to the present day. The house has architectural value as an excellent example of mid nineteenth century neo classic building traditions and displays unusual architectural embellishments. The exterior which has undergone extensive additions still maintains its distinctive appearance, particularly on the southern side which retains much of the original design. It has historical value in being the home of an early farming family for several decades and in recent history of being familiar to the community as a restaurant in two separate incarnations. The house contributes to its context by its setback from County Road 88 on its original foundations. Also its southern elevation contributes and compliments the existing historic homes in the area and acts as a landmark for passersby.
Description of Heritage Attributes
➢ General form and massing, including two storey height and hip roof.
➢ Materials, including brick exterior walls, original foundation, yellow arched brick lintels, basket weave dichromatic brick embellishments, painted corner quoins and second story painted yellow brick belt course.
➢ The composition and features of the south elevation facing County Road 88, including Three over two grouping of windows, size of windows and window sills Original classically inspired wooden entranceway with door and arched yellow brick lintel.
➢ General composition of the west elevation including existing windows, quoins and second level brick belt course. Page 23 of 38
➢ The setback of the house from County Road 88.
➢ The visibility of the southern elevation from County Road 88.
5. CONCLUSION
The Smith House is found to have cultural heritage value and merits its designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.
It is recommended the draft Statement of Significance included in this report be reviewed in discussion with stakeholders and that the town proceeds with designation.
Key Sources Consulted
A History of Bond Head and Area, Bond Head History Society, 2011
Canadian Census Records: 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911
Illustrated Historic Atlas of the County of York, Township of West Gwillimbury and the Town of Bradford in the County of Simcoe, Ontario. Mils and Co. Atlas. Reprinted in Milka Silk Screening Ltd. Belleville, 1972.
Lovell’s Ontario Directory, 1882
Ontario Gazetteer and Directory 1892, 1893 and 1895
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` HERITAGE BUILDING EVALUATION WORKSHEET
HERITAGE BUILDING EVALUATION: IDENTIFICATION
Municipal Address: 3769 Line 8, Bradford, Ontario
Legal Description: roll 431202000200500 Lot: 5 Conc.: 8
Building Name: S.S. #7, Fishers Corner School
Inventory Identification:
Date of Construction: circa 1877 Additions to Building: none
Original Use: School Original Owner: Public building
Current Use: abandoned Current Owner: unknown
Current Zoning: Rural Official Plan Designation: Rural
Name of Recorder: Ian Cooper
Date of Evaluation: April 17, 2019
Committee Review: May 6, 2019 Page 25 of 38
Simcoe County Map
Simcoe County Map Page 26 of 38
North elevation, main facade Page 27 of 38
East elevation, partial view
Bell tower Page 28 of 38
Commemorative plaque
Window detail Page 29 of 38
HERITAGE BUILDING EVALUATION: ARCHITECTURAL DOCUMENTATION
Prepared By: Ian Cooper Date: April 17, 2019
Style of Building:
The building is a single, detached, rectangular one-storey dichromatic brick school with a rubble stone basement and inset bell tower. The front entrance faces north and has three bays with a central vestibule flanked by two windows. The cladding is composed of red brick in a common bond with dichromatic yellow bricks used for embellishment primarily of the quoins and window headers.
The roof is a high gable on both the vestibule as well as the main structure and is of modern materials. There are two roof dormers facing the east and west elevations and two brick, single stack chimneys on the east and west elevations. The roof features an inset bell tower.
There are two windows on the front elevation and three windows on each have the east and west elevations. The rear of the building cannot be seen from the road. The windows have segmentally arched yellow brick soldiers arranged in a segmented label design. There are wooden lug sills. The windows appear to be the original six over six double-hung type with what appears to be original storm sash.
The entrance has a very unique entrance vestibule with what appears to be the original single wooden door and upper transom.
The front elevation features a plaque, dated 1877.
Design/Details/Craftsmanship:
The design of the building is very successful and the architectural details are very pleasing.
Architectural Integrity/Physical Condition: The building is quite unique in this area for having most if not all of its significant architectural elements intact. Unfortunately, failure of the vestibule foundation has resulted in the separation of the vestibule from the main building. Repair of this area should be done as soon as possible.
Design/Builder/Architect: Mr. Merrick from Newton Robinson likely constructed the building.
Interior Elements:
The inspection was limited to the exterior of the property only.
SUMMARY/COMMENTS ON ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
The school is one of several in West Gwillimbury but is unique in having many of its original architectural details intact after 142 years. Page 30 of 38
HERITAGE BUILDING EVALUATION: ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTATION
Prepared By: Ian Cooper Date: April 17, 2019
Design Compatibility with Streetscape/Environs: The house faces to the north, line 9 immediately west of the 5th sideline. The surrounding area has a mixture of modern single dwelling units amongst agricultural land.
Community Context: The context of the location has changed since the school house was built. There is no longer an active community known as ‘Fisher’s Corner’.
Landmark Status: The house is not considered a landmark site.
Site:
The house is roughly 13 by 10 square meters and sits towards the back of a 62 by 40 meter lot.
Site Sketch: Page 31 of 38
HERITAGE BUILDING EVALUATION: HISTORICAL DOCUMENTATION
Prepared By: Ian Cooper Date: April 17, 2019
Date of Construction: 1877 Factual or Estimated: Factual
Sources: Simcoe Supplement in Illustrated Atlas of the Dominion of Canada. Toronto: H. Belden, 1881.
Trends/Patterns/Themes:
Schools in West Gwillimbury adapted from Simcoe Supplement in Illustrated Atlas of the Dominion of Canada. Toronto, H. Belden, 1881 Page 32 of 38
Reverend Egerton Ryerson was the first Chief Superintendent of Education in Canada West, formerly Upper Canada, from 1844 to 1876.
In 1850 The Common School Act allowed municipalities to fund school boards through municipal and provincial taxes. This was not compulsory and school boards could still choose to request funding directly from students parents. The Act also allowed for the creation of separate school systems which would eventually lead to the creation of the Catholic School system as well as racially separate school systems for black children.
There were initially two levels of education. The first was an elementary school or primary school system which was publically funded, compulsory and free up to 16 years of age. Secondary education was divided between High School as well as Collegiate Institutes.
The issue of compulsory attendance was often overlooked in rural areas where children were required to run the family farms during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Most children attended school primarily in winter months with sporadic attendance throughout the remainder of the year.
In West Gwillimbury the township was divided into educational sections or school sections (S.S.) that were two by three miles approximately and based on a reasonable walking distance for children.
Events or Persons: School Section #7 located in an area of West Gwillimbury known as Fishers Corners, lot 5, concession 8 and started in 1835 as a log school house built on 2500 superficial feet of land deeded by John Long to the school trustees for 5 shillings. In 1875 the school trustees acquired more land from Thomas Akins.
York County Illustrated Historical atlas of the County of York & the township of West Gwillimbury and town of Bradford in the county of Simcoe, Ont. Toronto: Miles & Co., 1878. Page 33 of 38
Land Registry detail
MacDermott Wilson wrote in The Bradford Witness in 1960 “The second school was built in 1877 while classes were being held in the old school. The board members at the time were Thomas Fisher, Thomas Atkins and James Wilson. The school is of solid brick, 28, 000 in number, costing $180. The foundation of stone and plastering the walls added $230, with the doors and sash casings $300, and painting $35. The bricks, I would believe, were from Robinson’s Brick Yard on the same concession as the school and three miles further east. I would think the woodwork was manufactured in Merrick’s mill in Newton Robinson. The hauling by team and wagon to the site of all the materials at $250 made the total cost $965.”
Fishers Corner Parade float, 1957, Bradford Library Digital Archives Page 34 of 38
S.S. #7, 1940, Bradford Library Digital Archives
S.S. #7 , 1948, Bradford Library Digital Archives Page 35 of 38
S.S. #7 1954, Bradford Library Digital Archives
S.S. #7, 1958, Bradford Digital Archives Page 36 of 38
S.S. #7, Grades 7 & 8, 1960, Bradford Digital Archives
Archaeological Resources:
None.
Historic Grouping of Buildings: The property is flanked by on the east and west by two modern single detached dwellings. It was never part of a group of historic buildings.
Summary/Comments on Historical Significance:
The property has significant historical interest due to its use as a public school house. Historical Sources:
Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of Bradford West Gwillimbury Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of York and the township of Bradford in the county of Simcoe, Ont. Toronto: Miles and Co., 1878. Simcoe Supplement in Illustrated Atlas of the Dominion of Canada. Toronto: H. Belden, 1881. Canada Census, 1871 Land Registry Instruments, Bradford Public Library Local History Room Page 37 of 38
Municipal Address: 3769 Line 8 Group 1 Date of Evaluation: April 17, 2019 Name of Recorder: Ian Cooper
HISTORICAL E G F P TOTAL
Date of Construction 30 20 10 0 30/30 Trends/Patterns/Themes 40 27 14 0 40/40 Events 15 10 5 0 0/15 Persons/Groups 15 10 5 0 10/15 Historic Grouping (Bonus) 10 7 3 0 0/10
HISTORICAL TOTAL 80/100
ARCHITECTURAL E G F P TOTAL
Design 20 13 7 0 20/20 Style 30 20 10 0 30/30 Architectural Integrity 20 13 7 0 20/20 Physical Condition 20 13 7 0 13/20 Design/Builder 10 7 30 10/10 Interior (Bonus) 10 7 3 0 0/10 ARCHITECTURAL TOTAL 93/100
ENVIRONMENTAL TOTAL
Design Compatibility 40 27 14 0 14/40 Community Context 20 13 7 0 7/20 Landmark 20 13 7 0 7/20 Site 20 13 7 0 0/20
ENVIRONMENTAL TOTAL 28/100
SCORE INDIVIDUAL OLD BWG
Historical Score 80X 40% = 32.0 X 20% = ______Architectural Score 93X 40% = 37.2 X 35% = ______Environmental Score 28X 20% = 5.6 X 45% = ______
TOTAL SCORE 74.8
GROUP 1 = 70-100 GROUP 2 = 45-69 GROUP 3 = 44 or les
s Page 38 of 38
Average score of , group
The building classifications are as follows:
Group 1- those buildings of major significance and importance to the Town and worthy of designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Group 2 - those buildings of heritage significance and worthy of preservation.
Group 3 - those buildings considered to be of moderate significance and worthy of documentation or preservation if of a particular contextual value (e.g. part of a heritage streetscape).