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Bonnell Dental Infirmary

145 Germain Street, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1982/03/18

This photograph is a contextual view of the building on Germain Street, 2005.; Cityy of Saint John
Bonnell Dental Infirmary - Contextual view
This photograph shows the cornice ornamented with brick dentils, 2005.; City of Saint John
Bonnell Dental Infirmary - Cornice
This photograph shows the entryway with the Roman arch transom window and the elaborate, paired wood doors with glass panels, 2005. ; City of Saint John
Bonnell Dental Infirmary - Entry

Other Name(s)

Dr. Sherwood and Stewart Skinner Office
Bureau de Drs Sherwood et Stewart Skinner
Bonnell Dental Infirmary
Dr. Harry Spangler Office
Bureau de Dr Harry Spangler

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1888/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2007/06/07

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

Bonnell Dental Infirmary is a 3 storey, brick, Second Empire building with large pedimented, Roman arched, gabled dormers against the mansard roof. It is located on Germain Street within the Trinity Royal Preservation Area of the City of Saint John.

Heritage Value

Bonnell Dental Infirmary is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with physicians and dentists.

Many of the buildings in the residential district of Germain street were constructed in the latter part of the 19th Century or early 20th Century as all the older buildings were destroyed in the Great Saint John Fire of 1877 fire. Built in 1888, Bonnell Dental Infirmary is a good example of Second Empire architecture. Among its many Second Empire features are the rectangular 3-storey rectangular brick massing, the dormers and the mansard roof.

The heritage value of Bonnell Dental Infirmary is also recognized through its long association with various physicians and dentists of the Saint John Area. It first became a doctor's office under the direction of Doctors Stewart and Sherwood Skinner from 1903 to 1911. In 1912, Dr. Harry Spangler, general physician, had his medical clinic until 1938. Dr. Percival Bonnell practiced and operated the Bonnell Dental Infirmary on Germain Street from 1939 to 1970. Many other local dentists practiced at this infirmary as well. Dentists including Gordon Knight, Frederick Scott, Selby Wetmore and several others operated alongside Bonnell, making this site an historic landmark of local medical practice and skill.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe Bonnell Dental Infirmary include:
- rectangular 3-storey brick massing;
- window placement and proportions;
- mansard roof;
- large pediment Roman arch;
- gabled dormers with delicate muntins;
- cornice ornamented with brick dentils;
- two storey bay windows, in a similar style to the neighboring building;
- vertical sliding wood windows with sandstone lintels and sills;
- central Roman arched bay window along the first storey with ornately designed muntins;
- single storey, Roman arch windows;
- elaborate, paired wood doors with glass panels;
- Roman arched, three paned transom window above entry;
- sandstone steps descending from entry;
- stone foundation.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

New Brunswick

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (NB)

Recognition Statute

Municipal Heritage Preservation Act, s.5(1)

Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Preservation Act

Recognition Date

1982/03/18

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

1903/01/01 to 1938/01/01
1939/01/01 to 1970/01/01

Theme - Category and Type

Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Science

Function - Category and Type

Current

Residence
Multiple Dwelling

Historic

Health and Research
Clinic

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Planning and Development Department-City of Saint John

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

519

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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