Step into the Past: Historic Walking Tour of Listowel

STEP INTO THE PAST
Historic Walking Tour
of some of
Listowel’s Finest Old Buildings
CULTURE DAYS 2014
Stratford-Perth Archives,
Welcome to Stratford-Perth Archives
historic walking tour…
Listowel Branch
Historic Walking Tour
in conjunction with
the North Perth Arts & Culture Council
STEP INTO THE PAST…
and view some of Listowel’s finest old buildings and learn about
their history…when they were built…who built them…interesting
architectural features…the stories behind them and more…
About the Cover –
The elegant home featured on the front cover once sat at 710 Wallace
Avenue North (at the corner of Wallace North and Blake Street). It was
known as the “Petch Home.” Posed in front are John and Jennie Petch
looking as if they are ready for a Sunday afternoon stroll. The home
had previously belonged to Jennie’s father, Robert Wilson. He passed
away in 1887 shortly after moving there from Wallace Township. His
wife continued to live here with her daughter and son-in-law.
The Petch’s were sociable people and welcomed friends, acquaintances
and strangers into their home. Jennie and her mother, Philadelphia Wilson, also acted as nurses caring for the sick, part of the home being devoted to this purpose as a sort of private hospital.
Listowel’s first permanent settler was John Binning, arriving in
1852. From his humble shanty grew a prosperous and progressive
town. Listowel’s population had grown to 800 by 1866, thereby
enabling it to be incorporated as a Village. By 1875, with a population exceeding 2000, Listowel became a Town. The citizens
worked hard to bring about improvements to their roads, to encourage business and industrial enterprises and to obtain railway
connections. The early years saw the establishment of municipal
government, stores, churches, schools, mills, factories, tanneries,
hotels, a post office and a weekly newspaper.
“Listowel may be described as a decidedly go-ahead town, in
whose people are displayed those signs of intelligence, industry,
enterprise and public spirit which, if exercised as liberally in the
future as in the past, will secure for the town a place among the
important business centres of the Province, equally prominent
and permanent.”
From 1879 Historical Atlas of Perth County
STEP INTO THE PAST
We invite you to a leisurely stroll on Listowel’s tree lined streets beginning at the North Perth
Public Library which also houses Stratford-Perth Archives, Listowel Branch. (Be sure to visit the
Archives in the basement of the Library to learn about the soon-to-be-completed new Archives
Building). Included in the tour today are stylish residences, historic churches, peaceful public
gardens, municipal facilities and local landmarks. Participants in the walking tour are invited
to view the various historical buildings from the public sidewalk. Please be respectful of the
rights of property owners. Be mindful of traffic and please cross the street at designated
crosswalks. It should be noted that Listowel is home to many more beautiful and significant
buildings that could have been included in this walking tour.
1.
North Perth Public Library
2.
Rotary Gardens
3.
Christ Anglican Church
4.
Doctor’s Homes & Office
5.
Francis Wellington Hay Home
6.
Climie Home
7.
Burt Home
8.
Servant’s Quarters
9.
Livingstone Manor and the Livingstone Family
10.
Livingstone Manor and the Livingstone Family continued
11.
Last Chance Hotel/Hamilton Place
12.
Pump House & Water Fountain
13.
Horatio Walker Home
14.
Scott Home
15.
Kidd Home
16.
H.B. Morphy
17.
Dippel Home
18.
Trinity United Church
19.
Knox Presbyterian Church
20.
Municipal Building
21.
Cenotaph Park & Clock Tower
Joseph Fair Home
Dr. Fraser Hay
Dr. Frank Ellingham
NORTH PERTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
260 Main Street West
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official opening of this building was April 9, 1907
William Binning (son of Listowel’s first settler,
John Binning), was the architect
George Fritz, a well-known contractor throughout
western Ontario, was the builder
the building was made possible with a gift of $10,000
from the Carnegie Foundation – a portrait of Andrew
Carnegie hangs in the upper level of the Library
the Library is one of two buildings in Listowel designated
under the Ontario Heritage Act (Aug. 10, 1998)
over the years, the basement has been home to the
Women’s Patriotic League, Division Court, Town Council,
Checker Club, Adult Workshop, St. John’s Ambulance
major renovations were done in 1972 including a children’s
department in the basement
1999 saw the sod turning for a $1.2 million project with
Anthony Kemp of Toronto as architect and Landmark
Builders Ltd. of Hanover as builders
many individuals, businesses and community groups
contributed financially
the Hay Room located on the upper level was furnished
with a generous donation from the Hay Family
the Hay Room is home to the Heritage Plaque dedicated to
Horatio Walker, a famous Listowel-born artist and painter
of Canadian rural scenes – some replicas of his paintings adorn the walls
the Morris Piano (upper level) was made in Listowel and donated
by Ralph & Diana Turney, of Listowel
other paintings on the walls were created by Listowel artist
Shirley Woods
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ROTARY MILLENNIUM PARK
260 Main Street West
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the gardens in front of the Library are known as the
Rotary Millennium Park
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the development of this area was a millennium project
for the Rotary Club of Listowel – it includes beautiful
gardens, benches to sit on, a memorial stone for the
seven young boys and the Recreation Director who
lost their lives in the Listowel Arena Disaster in 1959
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the idea for the stone came from Elwood Smith
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Jerry Hetmanek, former owner of Listowel Monument Co.
designed the stone part and an artist from Burlington
created the etchings based on a sketch done by local
person, Mike Lee
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there are also four time capsules buried here underneath
the Rotary symbol – one containing Rotary memorabilia,
one with mementoes from the Town of North Perth and two
that are more general in nature containing photographs of
prominent buildings, businesses etc. – this is to be opened
in 2100 - 100 years from when it was buried
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take a moment to enjoy the beautiful surroundings set apart
from the hustle and bustle of the downtown core
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CHRIST ANGLICAN CHURCH
295 Main Street West
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built in 1896
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architect was John Bamford
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it is a Gothic Structure designed to draw the eye upward
reminiscent of the “praying hands”
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it has a medieval appearance – narrow arched stained
glass windows, wall dormers, heavy foundation stone,
slate roof
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the Rectory was added in 1921 and the Church Hall about
1930
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the original small frame Anglican Church was located 2 blocks
west of this site at 732 Main Street West – the location was
too distant for the congregation and so the frame church was
moved to this present site on Oct. 26, 1884 – in 1896,
the little frame church caught fire and burned – the new church
was opened and dedicated on May 16, 1897
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the foundation stone with the date 1896 can be seen near the
southwest corner of the edifice under the tower
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the design of Christ Anglican Church and the original
Carnegie Library compliment each other
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DOCTOR’S HOMES & OFFICE
370 & 390 Main Street West
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both of these homes were built in 1922 – they are
the same design but opposite floor plans
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at one time, these homes were owned by J.A. Schinbein
and J.M. Schinbein, Listowel entrepreneurs
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in 1946, Dr. Kirk owned 370 and Dr. Earl Connors owned
390
140 Barber Avenue South
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1946 also saw the beginning of construction on the doctor’s
clinic at 140 Barber Avenue South (now a law office) due to a shortage of materials during the war, it wasn’t
completed until 1948—this clinic served the Town until a
new one was built on Elizabeth Street East
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FRANCIS WELLINGTON HAY HOME
405 Main Street West
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this house was built for Francis Wellington Hay
and his bride in 1895
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he was the son of William Hay (and Agnes Rogerson),
William being one of the 14 children of Robert Hay, the
patriarch who came from Scotland to Bowmanville, to
Simcoe County and finally to Listowel
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Francis Wellington Hay was active in both provincial
and federal politics (Liberal Party)
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in 1959, Les and Dorothy Davidson bought this house from
Wellington Hay’s widow
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the sunroom on the west side was added later…we have not
been able to determine the exact date
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this house is built in the Queen Anne style with a decorated
porch (the original had wooden posts and gingerbread trim,
similar to the existing back porch), a conical tower, a
complicated roof line and using a multiplicity of materials
(such as fishtail or fishscale detail)
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also has a Stratford porch
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CLIMIE HOME
410 Main Street West
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this home was built by Mr. Climie in 1900
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R.A. Climie ran a dry goods store at the site of the
Capital Theatre on Wallace Avenue North
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the Climie family was one of the first to settle in
Listowel
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note the Flemish dormer windows
JOSEPH FAIR HOME
420 Main Street West
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Joseph Fair was the engineer of the first passenger
train to arrive in Listowel in 1908 and the last
CPR passenger train to pull out of Listowel in 1939
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he had two daughters, Lola and Kate
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Lola was librarian in Listowel for 40 years
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Kate worked at the Schinbein store on Main Street
West
BURT HOME
7
440 Main Street West
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built about 1895 – J.C. Burt, a Listowel merchant,
was the first owner
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most famous owner was J. Cecil Hamilton, a prominent
citizen who turned out to be the town’s “Victorian
Swindler” – he made a fortune by selling non-existent
real estate in Toronto in the late 1920’s and was finally
convicted in 1930
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built in the Queen Anne style with Italianate features
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circular woodwork on the porch and the glass over the
door are said to represent the sun
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built of hard white brick from the Wallace Township
brick yards located at Con. 3, Lot 20, Wallace
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the house has changed little over the years except for an
enlargement on the west side
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gracious living room, marble fireplace, beautiful woodwork
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long-time LDSS history teacher and member of Listowel
Town Council, Arne Kotenan lived here
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current owners, Robert and Alejandra Paterson, have done
extensive restoration work on the home
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SERVANT’S QUARTERS
460 Main Street West
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originally this house sat to the rear of Livingstone
Manor and was used by the servants – it was
moved about 1920
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it is the same brick and style as Livingstone
Manor, but less elegant
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the ceilings are two feet lower than the Livingstone
mansion
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Listowel’s “Mr. Music” Lorne Willits lived here – he
studied music at the State Academy in Vienna – was
Conductor of the Canadian Choir in Brantford – was
Choirmaster and Organist at Trinity United Church –
was in charge of the music programs at Listowel public
and high schools
LIVINGSTONE MANOR &
THE LIVINGSTONE FAMILY
480 Main Street West
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the Livingstone brothers, John and James were
from East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, Scotland
they immigrated to Canada in 1854 and arrived
in Mornington Township and then went to Baden
in 1860 where they built a flax mill
they soon built a second mill in Baden to produce
linseed oil from flax and this was the beginning
of their fortunes
John moved to Listowel where another flax mill
was opened
eventually their empire reached west to Manitoba
and south to the United States
James built Castle Kilbride at Baden
John built what is now known as Livingstone
Manor in Listowel
John Livingstone and his family lived here – his
daughter, Becky Livingstone continued to live here
following his death – on her death, a brother, William
owned it and sold it to Ross Harrison (1951)
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for the next 15 years, it served the community as the
“Ross Harrison Funeral Home” until former mayor,
David Kilberg and his wife Jennie bought it in 1966 –
they revived its beauty and grandeur and enjoyed
entertaining
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in 1988, it was sold to become a retirement residence
with certain stipulations in order to preserve its
architecture and interior
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LIVINGSTONE MANOR &
THE LIVINGSTONE FAMILY (continued)
480 Main Street West
EXTERIOR OF LIVINGSTONE MANOR:
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hard white brick from Wallace Township brick yards
ornamented with carved stone imported from Scotland
Victorian architecture – symmetrical, by 1870 already
considered conservative
ostentatious Italianate design – bay windows, window
hoods, elaborate gable ends, wrought-iron widow’s
walk built on roof and over bay windows
heavily carved 10’ high double oak front doors
INTERIOR OF LIVINGSTONE MANOR:
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marble fireplaces came from Italy
heavily sculpted staircase characteristic of Victorian
opulence
Karl Muller, Hungarian artist was commissioned to
paint idyllic scenes on ceilings and walls of the dining room,
living room and entrance hall – he used the “trompe
l’oeil” technique which has a three dimensional effect
cherubs above each door in the main hall represent the four
seasons
13’ high ceilings
steam radiators, a rarity in those days, are enclosed with
decorative iron work and covered with marble slabs
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LAST CHANCE HOTEL/HAMILTON PLACE
469 Main Street West
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erected by Pearce Collison and known as “Collison House”
or the “Last Chance Hotel” – that is, it was your last
chance to buy a drink when traveling from Listowel
to Molesworth, a distance of 7 miles
another early owner was Matt Upton – he went on to
New Liskeard and was doing laundry for the mining
men of that town when he struck a spring of pure
water – while water was plentiful, much of it was
unfit to use owing to its high mineral content – Mr.
Upton started marketing the water and became quite
well-to-do
later on, Cy Basset operated a horse-drawn bus service,
then an apartment house
today, it functions as a retirement residence
built in Second Empire Style featuring a mansard
roof which is dual pitched with dormer windows
on the steep lower slope making the attic well-lit
with more than adequate head room
arched paired windows such as the one at the top
centre are also typical of this style
the rounded corner facing southeast was a common
feature of commercial buildings because it allowed access
to the building from more than one direction
the back part of the building was added at a later date to
meet government regulations
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PUMP HOUSE & WATER FOUNTAIN
580 Main Street West
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built in 1903 in the “Romantic Industrial” style which
was also used in many railway stations – it is one of
only two such styled pump houses in Ontario, the other
is in Sault Ste. Marie
it was built near the railway station which provided a
ready supply of coal for the boilers and next to the town
well where it was required to pump water into a high tank
to provide water pressure to the community
in 1991, the building received its Ontario Heritage
Designation and is now protected under the Ontario
Heritage Act
in June 2000, the Utilities was sold to Hydro One
the Public Utilities Commission disbanded on July 5, 2001
in 2004, it became the Listowel’s Visitors and Resource
Centre and Chamber of Commerce
the Water Fountain was built in 1884 and was located at
the main intersection of Wallace Avenue North and Main
Street
water was pumped from a spring at the Hess Furniture
Factory
the fountain was used for ornament and for drinking
at the turn of the century, with the advent of automobiles,
it was moved to Memorial Park
during the 1920’s it was moved to its present location
it is one of the most important pieces of Edwardian
iron sculpture in existence in Western Ontario today
HORATIO WALKER HOME
555 Main Street West
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this is the site of the log cabin of Listowel’s first settler,
John Binning
this house was built in two portions with the oldest part
dating from about 1860 - Thomas Walker, father of
Horatio Walker (a famous artist of Canadian rural scenes)
built the original part of the house
later, George Towner acquired the property and
added the second part of the house including the tower
Peter Lillico purchased the house in 1884 for $1800
this house functioned as a Methodist parsonage
it was also home to J.M. Schinbein, a long-time
Listowel merchant
following WWI, it was sold to Andrew E. Malcolm
(founder of Andrew Malcolm Furniture Company) –
the Malcolms lived and entertained in grand style
while they occupied the house employing two servants
and a gardener to help maintain the property
for some years during WWII, the home served as an
officer’s mess for the Bennett Barracks stationed in
Listowel
following WWII, Andrew B. Malcolm (son of Andrew
E. Malcolm) and his family lived here – they added the
sun porch
Dr. Ken MacKenzie (Listowel optometrist) and his wife
lived here
it is built in the Italianate style which was usually 2 or 3
stories with a low-pitched roof and widely overhanging
eves with decorative brackets beneath
this house features a cupola and square tower and tall,
narrow windows
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SCOTT HOME
517 Main Street West
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believed to be the first brick house built in
Listowel – built for J.C. Hay and his bride,
Minnie Copeland
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J.C. Hay was mayor of Listowel 1923 & 1924 – he
was instrumental in having the railroad built from
Stratford to Listowel – he opened private banks
in Listowel, Chesley and Tara – he operated the first gas
and electric light plants in Listowel – he was also in the
coal and lumber business
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this was also the residence of J.M. Scott, a lifetime
Listowel postmaster – he was succeeded by his daughter
Luella Scott in 1943
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this is a good example of an Ontario House – front door
centered under a gable, leading to a centre hall, 1 ½ to
1 ¾ stories high
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Ontario cottages were commonly built around 1871
to accommodate railroad workers and their families –
they were economical – small enough to construct in
a hurry and the 1 ½ stories allowed enough room for a
family – homes built less than two stories were also
taxed at a lower rate than a full two story house
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KIDD HOME
507 Main Street West
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built about 1901
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lovely Queen Anne style home – characteristic
of this style is an abundance of windows and
chimneys, combined with towers, gables and
broken roof lines
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this was the home of W.C. Kidd, a prominent
veterinarian
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Dr. Kidd was famous for his fine horses
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he and his father are credited with introducing
the sport of horse racing to Listowel
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when the Boer War broke out, Dr. Kidd became
a supplier of horses to the British War Department
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Listowel became a main depot for war horses,
and over 1000 horses were shipped from Listowel
to the Boer War
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H.B. MORPHY/
DR. FRASER HAY/
DR. FRANK ELLINGHAM
165 Victoria Avenue North
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built in 1902, Victorian style
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the red brick was imported from Ireland
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the stained glass windows are considered to be
quite unique and one which depicts a biblical
scene is thought to be very valuable – note the oval
stained glass window on the veranda wall
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woodwork for the interior was custom designed at
Mr. Morphy’s planning mill
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H.B. Morphy was a lawyer, MPP and a well-known
cricket player (he placed four times on the Canadian
International Team)
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when Dr. Fraser Hay owned this home, people came
from across the province to see his rose gardens at the
side and back of the house
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another well-known owner was Dr. Frank Ellingham,
long-time Administrator at Listowel Memorial Hospital
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DIPPEL HOME
415 Inkerman Street West
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built in 1890 on part of the original Binning
Homestead
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built in two distinct styles – the larger east half
is Italianate and the smaller west half is the
rural Ontario design with a verandah
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the stylish iron fence was added sometime after
1973
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TRINITY UNITED CHURCH
230 Barber Avenue North
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built in 1886 as the Listowel Methodist Church
by contractors, John & Jacob Large, honoured members
of the church
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a fire destroyed much of the building in 1940 –
the side walls were left standing and the present church
incorporates the original side walls
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memorial stained glass windows were put in the
auditorium in 1949
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this church is known for its acoustics and pipe organ
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Church Union in 1925 brought together five different
religious strains – Congregationalists, 3 branches of
Methodism (Episcopal, Primitive and Wesleyan) and
some Presbyterian – the name of the church was changed
to Listowel United Church
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in 1968, Listowel United once again took on a new name
since there were two United Churches in town after the
union of the United and the Evangelical United Brethren –
it became Trinity United Church
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KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
220 Livingstone Avenue North
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the first building on this property was erected in 1868
at a cost of $2,500.00 – it was a frame building and
could seat about 350 people
by 1883, the congregation was in need of more space
and began to consider an extensive building project –
the old church was moved to the back to become part
of the new edifice
the architect was George Durand (who also designed the
Perth County Court House) and the builders were
Smith and Bamford, of Listowel
Dr. Nichol (chair of the Building Committee) laid the
Cornerstone in June of 1887
from the Listowel Standard Sept. 23, 1887 “The design
is modern gothic, with elevated stone foundation,
the superstructure being of white brick with massive
buttresses supporting the walls. Towers will be carried
up on each corner of the front elevation…A slated roof
with side gothics, cathedral glass windows set in
elaborate frames will combine in excellent harmony in
making the new church a veritable thing of beauty, an
ornament to the town and a credit to the enterprising
and prosperous congregation who have undertaken its
erection.”
there has been much repair and restoration work done
over the years including a major addition in 1993 – brick
for this addition was obtained from the old Malcolm Factory
and matched the original brick
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MUNICIPAL BUILDING
330 Wallace Avenue North
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built in 1968
there is an historical plaque marking the founding
of Listowel in 1852 outside the front entrance
design of original building was contemporary style
of the 60’s and 70’s – Brutalism from the French
“Beton Brut” meaning textured concrete
Brutalism favoured concrete, rugged-looking walls,
monochromatic tones and highly textured surfaces,
tall, vertical window openings – in Ontario, this style
was popular for schools, offices, government buildings
major renovations and relocation of the Fire Hall took
place in 2010-2011 with the official opening of the
of the newly renovated building June 4, 2011
Government Infrastructure Stimulus Funding helped
to finance the renovations and the new Fire Hall
the new Council Chambers was built in the space
vacated by the Fire Hall
OPP services remain on the lower level
a new front desk welcomes customers whether their
inquiries are for building, finance or public works
departments
one goal of the new building was to have it less
institutional looking and more welcoming to both
workers and the public
in 2013, the North Perth Fire Department’s beautiful
new memorial located on the lawn was erected in honour
of Deputy District Chief Kenneth Rea and Firefighter
Raymond Walter who lost their lives extinguishing a
Listowel fire in 2011
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CENOTAPH PARK & CLOCK TOWER
Cenotaph Park
Cenotaph Park was once the site of a blacksmith
and carriage shop
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Lyle and William Jackson, well-known car dealers
located on the corner of Inkerman East and Wallace
North, donated the land for a park in 1923
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monuments were erected in memory of 1 st and 2nd
World War soldiers
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there is also a plaque in memory of Major Andrew
McKeever, World War I ace pilot who survived the
War, but died in 1919 after complications arising from
a car accident upon his return to Listowel
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Clock Tower
built in 1994 to house the clock and bell from the old
Post Office (the Post Office , built 1911, demolished 1982,
sat at the corner of Main St. W. and Argyle)
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Neil and Tim Bakelaar (Listowel Jewelers) restored the
clockworks which had been kept in the town storage shed
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the 700 lb. bell was found near Elmira – the demolisher,
Ed Weber, had permission to keep the bell, but decided
to return it to the Town for the clock tower
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Stratford-Perth Archives, Listowel Branch
260 Main Street West,
Listowel, ON N4W 1A1
519-291-1598
Open Monday-Friday, 1-5 pm
www.stratfordpertharchves.on.ca