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James Craig House

196, Widder Street East, St. Marys, Town of, Ontario, N4X, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1993/01/26

Featured is the fretwork and bargeboard on the veranda.; Martina Braunstein, 2007.
Veranda Detail, James Craig House, 2007
Of note is the simple design and frame and clapboard construction.; Martina Braunstein, 2007.
Facade, James Craig House, 2007
No Image

Other Name(s)

James Craig House
196 Widder Street East

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1873/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2009/10/06

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The James Craig House is located at 196 Widder Street East, on the south side of Widder Street East, west of Peel Street North, in the Town of St. Marys. The one-storey clapboard residence was constructed in 1873.

The property was designated, by the Town of St. Marys, in 1993, for its architectural value or interest, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, By-law 3-1993.

Heritage Value

The James Craig House was built in North Ward Hill, in a neighbourhood of primarily large and grand houses. It stands out in quiet contrast to the larger homes, as a reminder of an earlier time and maintains a presence all its own.

The James Craig House is associated with James Craig and James Hamilton, two prominent builders who built the house as a residence for James Craig in 1873. The men were the proprietors of the Craig and Hamilton Planing Mill, a St. Marys mill that produced sashes and doors. Craig and Hamilton were also well-known for their fine carpentry work, which is evident not only in the James Craig House, but also in the Opera House.

The James Craig House is an excellent example of 19th century frame construction in St. Marys. Noteworthy features of the house include the gently-looping bargeboard and fretwork on the veranda and the double-hung, six over six windows, on the facade. Though the veranda, which spans the facade, and the north wing are thought to have been later additions, they maintain the simple design of the home and the integrity of the original construction. Interior features, including the door and window surrounds, the skirting boards and the wainscoting in the kitchen, are also original and are the work of Craig and Hamilton.

Sources: Town of St. Marys, By-law 3-1993; Reasons for Designation, 1993.

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of the James Craig House include its:
- carpentry work attributed to James Craig and James Hamilton
- frame and clapboard construction
- side gable roof
- double-hung, 6 over 6 windows, on the facade
- veranda, including the bargeboard and fretwork
- door and window surrounds, skirting boards and wainscoting on the interior

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Ontario

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (ON)

Recognition Statute

Ontario Heritage Act

Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Designation (Part IV)

Recognition Date

1993/01/26

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

n/a

Theme - Category and Type

Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design

Function - Category and Type

Current

Historic

Residence
Single Dwelling

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

James Craig

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Town of St. Marys P.O. Box 998 175 Queen Street East St. Marys, Ontario N4X 1B6

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

HPON09-0031

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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