Notice of intent to designate - 140 Peel Street North

TAKE NOTICE that the Council of The Corporation of the Town of St. Marys intends to designate 140 Peel Street North as a property of cultural historical value or interest under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.0.18, as amended.

Property Description

The subject property is described as LOT 13 WEST SIDE PEEL ST (LT 17 CONCESSION 17) PLAN 225 ST MARYS; PT LOT 12 WEST SIDE PEEL ST (LT 17 CONCESSION 17) PLAN 225 ST MARYS AS IN R285349 ; ST MARYS

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

Design and Physical Value: The projecting porch at the front door opens out to an adjoining, gracious verandah with views of the gardens. Both porch and verandah have many original features: posts and carpentry details like dentils have been sympathetically restored. The original salmon pink brick has been painted (possibly for conservation); the quoins are still visible. The window openings are square-headed with original 2-over-2 lights and storm windows which probably date from 1900. Almost all windows retain their original shutters. The pendants and finials on the gables are either originals or have been restored.

Historical Value: 140 Peel Street North was built by Daniel McLaren, an early settler in this area. It was also home to the Egan family, strong supporters of Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church. Egan Avenue, which runs east and west across the north side of the Church property, was named in their honour. The house was later the home of Cardiff and Mabel Cline. Cardiff Cline was a well-known antique dealer, specializing in Canadiana. Mabel Cline was mayor of St. Marys in 1967. A more recent owner was Mark Fletcher, an artist whose much-sought-after early watercolours and acrylics often featured St. Marys buildings and landscapes and made the town attractive to residents and visitors from far afield.

Contextual Value: The house on the property at 140 Peel Street North is one of the oldest brick houses in the north ward of St. Marys. Early photographs show this house on the hilltop horizon between the Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Churches. Today the McLaren house is protected on the Peel Street side by a white picket fence and the shade of mature Norway spruce and Norway maples. On the west side, the property opens out onto a large lawn, perennial borders, and a high cedar hedge which isolates it from the neighboring houses: it is what garden historians call a “hortus conclusus” or an enclosed garden.

Description of Heritage Attributes

• The projecting porch at the front door.
• Original features of porch and verandah: posts and carpentry details like dentils have been sympathetically restored.
• The original salmon pink brick, which has been painted.
• The window openings with original 2-over-2 lights and storm windows which probably date from 1900. Original shutters.
• The pendants and finials on the gables.

Notice of Objection

Any person may serve their notice of objection to the proposed designation to the Town Clerk within 30 days of the date of this notice, and no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, December 20, 2024. Objections should be directed to the Town of St. Marys, P.O. Box 998, St. Marys, ON N4X 1B6, Attention: Jenna McCartney, Clerk, or by email to clerksoffice@town.stmarys.on.ca Consideration for receipt by traditional mail service is contingent upon a pending Canada Post strike. A notice of objection must set out the reason(s) for the objection and all relevant facts.