Description of Historic Place

The David Mason Residence is a two-storey wooden, side gabled, Greek Revival dwelling from the mid-19th century. It is located on Orange Street, within the Orange Street Heritage Preservation Area of Saint John.

Heritage Value

The David Mason Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its location, for its age and for its association with its first owner.

The David Mason Residence is recognized for its location. The Great Saint John Fire of 1877 destroyed two-thirds of the City of Saint John in 1877 but this block survived the fire. Construction in this area was sparse at that time so few buildings from the pre-fire period exist in this area. The eastern end of Orange Street was occupied mostly by merchants and tradesmen.

Probably built in the mid-1800’s, this Greek Revival residence is one of the older homes in the Central Peninsula. The style of this home was common prior to the more elaborate Victorian-Era construction.

The David Manson Residence is also recognized for its association with one of its early occupants, David Mason. A cartman, lived in this dwelling as early 1863. Cartmen would be waiting at the piers when ships arrived at the Saint John port to transport the goods to their respective businesses. The reserved style of this residence is representative of this class of labourer in Saint John at the time.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the David Mason Residence include:
- similar set-back with neighbouring buildings;
- rectangular wooden two-storey massing;
- gable roof;
- off-centre wooden door with entablature;
- rectangular vertical sliding 2/2 wood windows.