Description of Historic Place

The Judge Carleton House is located on a terraced lot overlooking Lower Main Street in Woodstock with neighbouring homes of similar size and elegance. The Queen Anne Revival architectural details of this two-storey residence are shown to their best advantage through the creative use of paint. The house and grounds are included in the historic place designation.

Heritage Value

The Judge Carleton House, named after its long time owner, is designated a Local Historic Place because of its exceptional aesthetic value.

As a rare example of pure Queen Anne Revival style in Woodstock, the house incorporates many traditional characteristics, most notably the asymmetrical façade with dominant front gable and tower. It was built in the late 1890's for Daniel Grant, owner of the local carriage making factory. The house is situated on the northernmost end of the lush green hill once called Victoria Terrace. Victoria Terrace referred to both the hill and the line of stately homes along the top of the hill.

The grounds are part of the historic place because of their association with Victoria Terrace, and because they add to the overall aesthetic value of the property. The lower portion of the original grounds was sold. It is now a commercial property.

Source: Carleton County Historical Society, Historic Places File #26

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements relating to the Queen Anne Revival architecture of the Judge Carleton House include:
- two-storey asymmetrical massing;
- dominant front gable;
- angular tower with triangular dormers, hexagonal roof and spire;
- dominant front porch with spindle work balustrade and elaborate corner posts;
- spindle work handrail leading to front porch;
- second storey balconies on front and rear elevations;
- decorative use of shingles;
- large two-storey bay;
- attic dormers;
- large moulded overhanging eaves;
- projecting decorated eave between storeys;
- surrounds of doors and windows.

The character-defining elements of the location and grounds include:
- mature trees;
- location on grounds once called "Victoria Terrace";
- visibility from Lower Main Street.