Goderich Harbour Cultural Heritage Landscape Study
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Goderich Harbour Cultural Heritage Landscape Study May 4, 2010 Prepared for the Huron Business Development Corporation and the Town of Goderich By the Heritage Resources Centre, University of Waterloo Authors Project Manager: Dr. Robert Shipley, CAHP Project Coordinator and Primary Author: Kayla Jonas, B.E.S. Field Research: Lindsay Benjamin, Paul Dubniak, Kayla Jonas Technical Writing: Lindsay Benjamin, Paul Dubniak, Kayla Jonas Maps: Patrick Hoskins, Archaeological Research Associates Ltd. Acknowledgements This work was overseen by a steering committee that included: Heather Lyons, Councillor for the Town of Goderich Jan Hawley, Marine Heritage Committee Founder Terrence Gilhuly, Marine Heritage Committee Phil Beard, Maitland Conservation Authority Paul Carroll, local heritage expert Cindy Fisher, Huron County Monica Walker Bolton, Huron County – Planner for the Township of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh Special thanks also to the following people for providing additional advice, as well as local knowledge and resources: Bob Davis Barry Page Murray Keith Keith Homan Herb Marshall Glen Gardiner John Hazlitt Janice Collins Chris Mahood, Ministry of Culture Barb Mackenzie, Town of Goderich Paul Racher, Archaeological Research Associates Ltd. Goderich Harbour Cultural Heritage Landscape Study Table of Contents Acknowledgements 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Purpose 1 1.2 What is a Cultural Heritage Landscape? 1 1.3 Background 1 2.0 History of Goderich Harbour 4 2.1 Brief History of Harbour Development 4 2.2 Shipping 6 2.3 Railway 7 2.4 Industries 8 2.4.1 Grain Elevators 8 2.4.2 Salt 9 2.4.3 Oil 9 2.4.4 Flour Mill 9 2.4.5 Lumber 9 2.4.6 Fishing 9 2.5 Public Buildings 10 2.5.1 Lighthouse 10 2.5.2 Waterworks 10 2.6 Art 11 2.7 Ridgewood – “The Ridge” 11 2.8 Maintaining the Harbour 12 2.9 Recreation 13 2.9.1 Beach and Water Activities 13 2.9.2 Spa District 13 3.0 Character of Goderich Harbour 14 3.1 Cultural Heritage Landscape 14 3.1.1 Introduction to Cultural Heritage Landscapes 14 3.1.2 Standards for Evaluation 14 3.1.3 Models for CHL Evaluation Criteria and Application 15 3.1.4 Application of the Criteria 16 3.1.5 Conclusion 17 3.2 Evaluation and Character Descriptions of the Goderich Harbour 17 3.2.1 Heritage Resources 17 3.2.2 Industry 22 3.2.3 Recreation 23 3.2.4 Views 24 3.2.5 River Environment 27 3.3. Statement of Cultural Heritage Value 27 3.3.1 Cultural Heritage Value or Interest 27 3.3.2 Heritage Attributes 28 4.0 Planning Use and Planning Context 29 4.1 Official Plan Status 29 4.2 Land Use Designations 32 Goderich Harbour Cultural Heritage Landscape Study 4.3 Zoning 33 4.4. Part IV Designated Properties 38 4.5 Goderich Heritage Enactment Fund 38 4.6 Facade Restoration Loan Program 38 4.7 Maitland Valley Conservation Authority 38 4.8 Commitments and Activities 39 4.9 Planning Conclusions 39 5.0 Boundaries 40 5.1 Criteria for Delineation of a District Boundary 40 5.2 Boundary Descriptions 40 5.3 Conclusions 44 6.0 State of Practice Regarding Cultural Heritage Landscapes in Ontario 45 6.1 Background 45 6.2 Cultural Heritage Landscape Practice Prior to PPS 2005 45 6.3 How Are Various Municipalities Dealing with Cultural Heritage Landscapes? 47 6.4 Conclusions 48 7.0 Findings and Recommendations 49 7.1 Findings 49 7.2 Recommendations 49 Works Consulted 51 Goderich Harbour Cultural Heritage Landscape Study 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this Study is to document the features of Goderich Harbour that may support consideration of the area as a Cultural Heritage Landscape (CHL) under the terms of the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). This Study will examine the history, character and planning framework of the area to determine its significance. The planning tools that may be used to manage significant Cultural Heritage Landscapes will be explored. As appropriate, the Study will make recommendations concerning the future of the Goderich Harbour area. 1.2 What is a Cultural Heritage Landscape? While not identified in the Ontario Heritage Act, Cultural Heritage Landscapes are defined in the Provincial Policy Statement, 2005 issued under the Planning Act: …a defined geographical area of heritage significance which has been modified by human activities and is valued by a community. It involves a grouping(s) of individual heritage features such as structures, spaces, archaeological sites and natural elements, which together form a significant type of heritage form, distinctive from that of its constituent elements or parts. Examples may include, but are not limited to, heritage conservation districts designated under the Ontario Heritage Act; and villages, parks, gardens, battlefields, main streets and neighbourhoods, cemeteries, trailways and industrial complexes of cultural heritage value. Section 2.6.1 of the PPS directs that, “Significant built heritage resources and significant cultural heritage landscapes shall be conserved.” It is therefore appropriate that the concept of the CHL be used to better understand the cultural heritage value of an area such as the Goderich Harbour. A Cultural Heritage Landscape is not intended to freeze, preserve or stop change and it is not intended to curtail legitimate traditional functions, such as industry. Rather, a CHL is intended to help understand the value of a place, provide a framework for discussion and help to manage change in the future. 1.3 Background The Heritage Resources Centre (HRC) began working with the Town of Goderich through the Historic Place Initiative program in 2007. The Centre’s team worked to nominate 30 sites to the Canadian Register of Historic Places. Following the success of this partnership the HRC held their four-day Heritage Planning Workshop in Goderich during weekends in October and November of 2008. In 2009, a subsequent workshop was held that focused on Cultural Heritage Landscapes. That two-day course was held in October 2009 at the Huron County Museum. Twenty-three people attended, representing Goderich, Huron County and several other municipalities in the Province of Ontario. The 1 Goderich Harbour Cultural Heritage Landscape Study first day focused on the theory of what comprises a CHL (Presented by Dr. Jody Decker of Wilfred Laurier University) and the second day used the Goderich Harbour as a case study to investigate a CHL (lead by HRC Staff). During this workshop participants used the criteria developed by the Region of Waterloo (see Section 3) to determine if the area was a Cultural Heritage Landscape, and if so, what were the key features and how could they best be protected. It was unanimously determined that the Goderich Harbour was a Cultural Heritage Landscape. Figure 1: Team discuss the Harbour as a CHL during As a result, the Heritage Resources Centre the October 2009 Workshop proposed a more in-depth study of the Harbour (Picture by Kayla Jonas, 2009) as a CHL. The proposal was presented to the Huron Business Development Corporation (HBDC) at their January 21, 2010 meeting and Phase 1 was approved. This report completes Phase 1, which was outlined in the contract to involve the following steps: Research and document the history of the area Examine and document heritage and natural features in the Goderich Harbour (including buildings, walkways, shorelines and views) Write a Statement of Cultural Heritage Value including key attributes to be protected Evaluate the area as a CHL against widely accepted criteria Recommend boundaries Examine the existing Planning Framework Research CHL management mechanisms in place in Ontario (e.g. Heritage Conservation District Designation, Secondary Plan) This work was overseen by a steering committee that included: Heather Lyons, Councillor for the Town of Goderich Jan Hawley, Marine Heritage Committee Founder Terrence Gilhuly, Marine Heritage Committee Phil Beard, Maitland Conservation Authority Paul Carroll, local heritage expert Cindy Fisher, Huron County Monica Walker Bolton, Huron County – Planner for the Township of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh 2 Goderich Harbour Cultural Heritage Landscape Study Information and invitations were also extended to the following people who were not available to participate in meetings at this time: Janice Collins, Sifto Salt Mine Denise Carnochan, Huron County George Parsons, Goderich Elevators Ltd. Andrew Ross, B.M. Ross Engineering Beth Ross, Huron County Museums Letters were sent to individuals considered to be experts on the Goderich Harbour informing them of the project, as well as to solicit relevant information regarding the Harbour and its development. 3 Goderich Harbour Cultural Heritage Landscape Study 2.0 History of Goderich Harbour The purpose of this section is not to replace the large body of work that documents the history and character of Goderich, but rather to provide an overview of the area, putting it in the context of a Cultural Heritage Landscape. The available resource materials were compiled by community members, and therefore reflect past and present ideas of what the Harbour lands include, noting significant people, events and elements. The resources reviewed include: Winding: A History of the Lower Maitland River, Goderich Walking Tour, the Marine Heritage Signs, as well as locally produced books and reports (see Works Consulted). 2.1 Brief History of Harbour Development Archaeological evidence shows that nomadic bands of hunters and gatherers were crossing the area as early as 11,000 years ago. Evidence in the Maitland Valley and specifically at the river mouth show the area was used primarily as a temporary campsite. “There is considerable documentation concerning their seasonal fishing activities at the mouth of the river” (Beecroft 12). The area was used by the Attawandarons (called Neutrals by the Europeans) and later Chippewa First Nation. These were the people the Europeans encountered when they arrived in what is now Goderich.