Montague Project Results in 14 new Registrations
Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour announced today that 20 Island properties have been recognized for their historical significance, and registered as heritage properties. The Minister announced the newest additions to the Prince Edward Island Register of Heritage Properties as Heritage Week activities continue.
“These buildings are significant to the heritage of our Island communities,” said Minister Bertram. “They teach us about the history of our communities and they reflect the pride of their owners. I offer congratulations to the property owners who recognize and appreciate the historic value of these places and have worked so hard to preserve them.”
Many of the properties receiving registration this year are in the town of Montague. To date, 14 Montague properties have been recognized under the Heritage Places Protection Act. This was the result of a two-year project sponsored by the Heritage Places Initiative, the Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, the Garden of the Gulf Museum and the Museum and Heritage Foundation, which led to the identification of a number of potential heritage resources in the Montague and Three Rivers area. The Heritage Places Advisory Board is still reviewing and evaluating applications from the area.
With this addition of 20 properties to the register, a total of 146 properties are recognized with either a registration or designation under the Heritage Places Protection Act. Any site or structure thought to be important to the history and culture of Prince Edward Island is eligible to be considered for the Register of Heritage Places.
More information on recognized properties and the Historic Places Initiative can be found on the PEI Historic Places website www.peihistoricplaces.ca and the Canadian Register of Historic Places webpage www.historicplaces.ca.
BACKGROUNDER
The following 20 properties have been registered under the provincial Heritage Places Protection Act:
St. Peter’s Bay United Church, St. Peter’s Bay. This church was built in 1886 in the Gothic Revival architectural style by local builders William Coffin and W.A. Dingwell. The building is of a very good architectural style and design and is of particular importance in establishing the historic character of the area. Originally associated with the Presbyterian Church, it joined with the United Church of Canada in 1925.
Ashford Cottage on the Freetown Road in Freetown. This house was built in the Island vernacular style with Queen Anne elements in 1890 by local builder John T. White for merchant Albert Craig. It has had a series of owners including the Taylor, Walker and Baker families before it was purchased by Austin A. Scales in 1928 and remained in the Scales family for some years. Austin A. Scales (1886-1989) was a farmer, fox rancher, businessman and produce dealer. Recent restoration work by the current owners has restored the house to its original grandeur.
Old St. James Church, Route 12 in Birch Hill. Old St. James Church (formerly St. James Anglican Church) in Birch Hill was built in 1841. This church is also known as the “Old Shipbuilders Church” and is of an excellent architectural style and very good design. Associated with the shipbuilding and merchant Yeo family located in nearby Port Hill, and with the early history of the Anglican faith in western PEI, this church occupies its original site and has retained most of its original architectural features.
Holy Trinity Alma Anglican Church, Western Road, Alma. This church was built between 1888 and 1890 by local builders. It is a good example of country Gothic church architecture. The church is located on the Western Road and is the last remaining public building in the community. It is on its original site, has retained its original architectural elements and is in excellent condition.
Latham House, 8 Nelson Street, Victoria. The Latham House in Victoria by the Sea was built sometime between 1859 and 1863. It is a very good example of the Maritime vernacular architectural style. This building has retained most of its original architectural features and is located on its original site. Restoration work has been sympathetically undertaken and in keeping with the original style.
Silas Sewell Robertson Farm House, East Point Road, Kingsboro. This house was built between 1884 and 1893 and is in very good condition having undergone some recent restoration work. The house has had a long association with the Robertson family, having been home to farmer and builder Silas Sewell Robertson (1865-1923) and family. Robertson built the East Point Baptist Church.
Montague properties:
Church of Christ, 513 Main Street, Montague. Construction of this church began in 1876 and was completed in 1879. It is a brick Italianate church designed possibly by John McLellan who designed other churches in the area during this time period. This building figures very prominently when entering the Town of Montague from the north. This church is in very good condition, has retained its original character and a more recent addition was in keeping with the architectural style.
The Station, 1 Station Street, Montague (former Montague Railway Station). The Railway Station was built in 1905-1906 and was very important to the economic development of the Town of Montague. The Station is prominently located on the waterfront, has very good architectural features, and many important historical associations.
The Elizabeth Watson Home, 20 Wood Islands Road, Montague (former Lemon House). This building was constructed in the 1870s. This property has predominant elements of the Queen Anne Revival architectural style. Built by or for John Lemon, the house has had a long association with the Lemon family of Montague. The property is in excellent condition, is located on its original site and maintains much of its original architectural features and fabric.
The John Burck House, 580 Main Street, Montague (former Mrs. Rebecca MacIntyre House). Built approximately 1931, this property is a good example of the Craftsman style of architecture. Known locally as the Stucco House due to its construction material, it is the only building of its kind in the Town. The building is on its original site, has retained its original architectural elements and is in excellent condition.
Doc Johnston’s at 576 Main Street, Montague (former Bank of Nova Scotia). This property which was built in 1921. It is a very good example of the Commercial/Bank style of architecture. This building has retained most of its original architectural features and is located on its original site. Prominently located in the commercial district of Montague, the building has strong associations with the commercial history of the Town and for many years was the office space for Dr. Lewis Johnston, dentist.
The Shirley MacNeil Home, 117 Chestnut Street, Montague (former John A. MacDonald House). This house was built approximately in 1880 and is in excellent condition. The house retains much of its original architectural features and is also significant in that it was one of the early houses built in the new Montague sub-division. The house was the residence of John A. MacDonald, Anglo American Telegraph Operator, and later William MacLean of the MacLean Carriage Company.
The Eastern Graphic Office 567 Main Street, Montague (former Town Hall). This building was built in 1938 as a new Town Hall. The building served as Town Hall administrative offices until a new building was erected in 1973. Over the years, the building has housed the public library, the first regional library in the province, the Fire Hall, RCMP station, Telephone Office and Public Health Office, and for a time was a hardware store. Since 1978, it has been the offices of the Eastern Graphic.
Mabon House, 600 Main Street in Montague. Construction of this house was completed in 1939 by well- known local contractor Sam Martin. This house is of an excellent architectural style and design and is prominently situated in the residential section of Main Street. The house has some features of the Georgian Revival architectural style including a five-pane semi-circular fan light over the front door. The house has always been associated with the Mabon family, built for Hubert Mabon, son of local druggist Hamilton Mabon.
Windows on the Water, 558 Main Street, Montague (former MacDonald/ MacLaren Building). This is an early, circa 1850, 2 ½ storey building. Connected with the early commercial history of Montague, the building was one of the earliest general stores in Montague first operated by James MacLaren and later by Duncan MacDonald. The storefront section of the building faces Main Street and the remainder is residential. The building retains most of its original architectural features and its location was, and remains, important in its connection to the economic centre of the town.
The Dan and Janet Hughes Home, 615 Main Street, Montague (former Charles B. Fraser Home). This house was built in two sections – 1874 with an addition built about 1897. Built in the Italianate style for Charles B. Fraser, a prominent businessman in Montague, it was an early duplex for Fraser, with the addition to house his son and his family. Fraser was a farmer and operated a successful carriage factory and blacksmithing shop on the property. Prior to the construction of a hospital in Montague, the ill were cared for in this home by Mrs. Charles B. Fraser, a nurse.
The Hyndman Building, 543 Main Street, Montague (former Village Hotel). This building was built about 1874 and retains some of its original architectural features. The building housed the first government liquor store and operated as the Village Hotel by John J. MacDonald. In 1904 ownership of the building transferred to veterinarian Dr. Alexander E. Smith who operated the business as the Royal Hotel. Dr. Preston MacIntyre purchased the building in 1934 and it was renovated to house the first hospital until 1947 when King’s County Memorial Hospital opened. Since 1963 Hyndman Insurance has been located at this site.
The Yeo House, 569 Main Street, Montague (former Ives House). This residence was built for Isaac Ives, proprietor of the Montague Sash and Door Factory. It was bought as a kit and assembled on site at the end of the First World War in 1918. The concrete blocks were made on site by the owner. In 1939, Montague’s longest serving mayor, Bruce Yeo took possession of the house and its remains in the Yeo family.
Joan Watson and Jackie Lavers Home 614 Main Street, Montague (former MacKinnon House). Built in 1913 by Bradley and Lathard in the Colonial Revival architectural style, this residence has retained most, if not all, of its original architectural features. The property is in excellent condition. Associated with the MacKinnon family until recently, it was the home of Lauchlin M. MacKinnon, son of the founder of the Montague Furnishing Company. The family-operated business of casket making and other funeral supplies had an international reputation, shipping their products across the country and overseas. The family continued to operate a funeral home into the 1980s.
The A.A. Building, 577 Main Street, Montague (former Union Bank). Built in the early to mid 1870s this is a commercial building originally constructed with a shop front on Wood Islands Hill Road. By 1876, it housed the Union Bank until it merged with the Bank of Nova Scotia. For many years jeweler James L. Younker operated a store from this building. Later it was home of the Royal Canadian Legion and, in 1964, the Directors of the Montague Alcoholics Anonymous Association purchased the building. A number of businesses have occupied the first floor of the building over the years, and the second floor has been used as meeting space for the Legion, A.A. and youth groups such as Girl Guides and Allied Youth.