Oshawa properties to receive Ontario Heritage Act designation
Two heritage properties in Oshawa have been recognized by City Council as properties of cultural heritage value or interest under the Ontario Heritage Act.
At the April 26 Council meeting, Council advanced the designation of the following properties under the Ontario Heritage Act as properties of cultural heritage value or interest:
- 1600 Conlin Road East
- 2651 Harmony Road North
1600 Conlin Road East
Built in the mid- to late-1800s, 1600 Conlin Road East is an excellent example of an Italianate home featured in The Canada Farmer journal. This particular Victorian style was unique to Ontario and was promoted in the journal in 1865. The beautiful two-storey dwelling features a projecting frontispiece covered with a medium hip roof with a deck and a gothic-like gable trimmed with vergeboard. The property also has significant contextual value, having been owned by the Lee family from 1919 to at least 1961. The Lee family has been in the Oshawa area since the mid-1800s.
2651 Harmony Road North
Built prior to 1877, 2651 Harmony Road North is an excellent example of an early Gothic Revival style stone cottage with a 3-bay design (centre door, flanking windows). This particular design was promoted in the 19th century by American landscape architect Andrew J. Downing, as well as The Canada Farmer journal in 1865 where it was featured complete with drawings for the farmer to build.
Celebrating Oshawa’s Heritage
Heritage designation is a process established in the Ontario Heritage Act to recognize and protect properties of cultural heritage value or interest. Heritage Oshawa, a City Advisory Committee, nominates candidate properties for heritage designation for Council’s consideration. The inventory of the City’s Heritage Properties maintained by Heritage Oshawa contains over 600 properties with potential for heritage designation. The inventory and details regarding designated properties are available on the Heritage Oshawa Inventory webpage.
The Heritage Oshawa Advisory Committee advises Council on matters relating to the conservation, education and promotion of Oshawa’s cultural heritage resources. For more information, visit the Heritage Oshawa webpage or Committees of Council webpage.
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Quotes:
“It is a great accomplishment when we are able to preserve these historical buildings, as families that have occupied, and in a lot of cases have passed these buildings down throughout the generations are still very much active and part of the community and Ward 1,” said John Neal, Ward 1 Regional and City Councillor.
“The preservation of some of Oshawa’s historic landmarks and unique heritage buildings continues to enhance a sense of place and community pride. The fact that Oshawa is protecting these two Ward 1 special 1800s residences with a designation under the Ontario Heritage Act is the mark of a caring City, respectful of its past,” said Rosemary McConkey, Ward 1 City Councillor.
“The City of Oshawa is home to many significant and beautiful heritage properties, including buildings as well as natural areas,” said Councillor Jane Hurst, Council Representative, Heritage Oshawa. “With the designation of these properties under the Ontario Heritage Act, City Council demonstrates its dedication to supporting and recognizing Oshawa’s rich heritage.”
“Heritage Oshawa is very pleased that Council has chosen to advance an Ontario heritage designation for 1600 Conlin Road East and 2651 Harmony Road North. Designation and preservation of heritage properties is core to the mandate of Heritage Oshawa, and we were very proud to recommend the designations to Council for these special properties in north Oshawa,” said Diane Stephen, Chair, Heritage Oshawa.