Bonnell Dental Infirmary
145 Germain Street, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L, Canada
Formally Recognized:
1982/03/18
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