Division Street South Heritage Conservation District Study

8/17/2019 Division Street South Heritage Conservation District Study

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2016

Kingsville Municipal

Heritage Advisory

Committee

4/25/2016

Division Street South Heritage

Conservation District Study


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Introduction _________________________________________________________________________________________1

Key components of the Kingsville Heritage Conservation District Study ...................................2

Scope of the Study ............................................................................................................................................2

Content of the Kingsville Heritage Conservation District Study .....................................................3

What is a Heritage Conservation District? ________________________________________________________4

Policy Framework __________________________________________________________________________________5

The Provincial Policy Statement .................................................................................................................5

Ministry of Culture Ontario Regulation 10/06 ......................................................................................6

Heritage Conservation District Designation Process ____________________________________________7

Town of Kingsville Official plan ____________________________________________________________________8

Cultural Heritage And Archaeological Resources.................................................................................8

Cultural And Built Heritage Resources .....................................................................................................8

Town of Kingsville Context _______________________________________________________________________10

Document Research .......................................................................................................................................10

Consultation ......................................................................................................................................................10

Conservation District Study ______________________________________________________________________15

Characteristics of a Heritage District ......................................................................................................15

Cultural Heritage Value for Division St South __________________________________________________ 16

Identifying the Study Area _______________________________________________________________________ 19

Dynamic Evolving District _______________________________________________________________________ 20

Style ......................................................................................................................................................................20

Victorian era (1840-1900) __________________________________________________________________ 20

Italianate (circa. 1850-1900): ______________________________________________________________ 21

Gothic Revival (1750-1900) ________________________________________________________________ 22

Mid-Century Modern (1945-1965) _________________________________________________________24

Modern buildings ____________________________________________________________________________26

Commercial and Public Buildings __________________________________________________________ 27


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Materials ______________________________________________________________________________________31

Height and Massing __________________________________________________________________________31

Streetscape Context and Assessment ___________________________________________________________ 32

Street layout ......................................................................................................................................................32

Vegetation ..........................................................................................................................................................32

Recommendations ________________________________________________________________________________33

Statement of Significance ............................................................................................................................33

Boundary............................................................................................................................................................33

Character-Defining Elements .....................................................................................................................33

General Policy Recommended ...................................................................................................................34

Recommended Conservation Guidelines for Public Spaces ...........................................................34

Recommended Conservation Guidelines for Buildings....................................................................35

Next Steps _________________________________________________________________________________________ 36


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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

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Introduction

Division St South begins at the centre of the downtown area of Kingsville and extends to

Lake Erie. This two-kilometer neighborhood is in the heart of Kingsville.

This centre has been subject to the ebb-and-flow of the economic variations of the last

two centuries. This trend is visible in the form and structure of its landscape. Through

fires, economic hardship, and revitalization, the community has evolved into a diverse

heterogeneous neighborhood. The area is an example of a dynamic cultural landscape

providing a strong sense of place and continuing to act as a gathering place for residents

and visitors to the area.

Division St South represents over 15 decades of built heritage in Kingsville. It is a unique

street that tells the story of

Kingsville through the people who

lived, built, and made Kingsville the

town it is today.

This Heritage Conservation District

Study has been prepared for

consideration by the propertyowners in the Town of Kingsville

and Town Council, and proposes

the formal recognition of Division

Street South as a Heritage

Conservation District under Part V

of the Ontario Heritage Act, 2005. It

has been undertaken to map

attributes of cultural heritage

value, identify areas for improvement, and recommend conservation guidelines.


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KEY COMPONENTS OF THE KINGSVILLE HERITAGE CONSERVATION

DISTRICT STUDY To provide a comprehensive analysis of the historical and architectural character of

Division St South as a means to recognize, evaluate and establish the heritage

character of the street;

To encourage and facilitate the participation and input of local residents, as well as

the municipality, in pursuing and promoting awareness of the preservation of the

area’s character;

To provide design guidelines to assist property owners and decision makers in the

assessment of appropriate changes and development proposals within the town.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

To ensure that the key components noted above are attained, we followed the guidelines

of Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, section 40.2 for undertaking a district study:

Examine the character and appearance of the area that is the subject of the study,

including buildings, structures and other property features of the area, to

determine if the area should be preserved as a heritage conservation district;


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Examine and make recommendations as to the geographic boundaries of the area

to be designated; Consider and make recommendations as to the objectives of the designation and

the content of the heritage conservation district plan required under section 41.1;

Make recommendations as to any changes that will be required to the

municipality’s official plan and to any municipal by-laws, including any zoning by-

laws. 1

CONTENT OF THE KINGSVILLE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

STUDY

The Kingsville Heritage Conservation District Study includes:2

A statement of the objectives to be achieved in designating the area as a heritage

conservation district;

A statement explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of the heritage

conservation district;

A description of the heritage attributes of the heritage conservation district and of

properties in the district;

Policy statements, guidelines and procedures for achieving the stated objectives

and managing change in the heritage conservation district; and

A description of the alterations or classes of alterations that are minor in nature

and that the owner of property in the heritage conservation district may carry out

or permit to be carried out on any part of the property, other than the interior of

any structure or building on the property, without obtaining a permit under

section 40.2 of the Ontario Heritage Act .

1 Ontario Heritage Act 40. (2), 2005, c. 6. s. 29. 2 Ontario Heritage Act 41.1 (5)


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What is a Heritage Conservation District?

Subsection 41. (1) Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act enables the council of a municipality

to designate the entire municipality or any defined area or areas of the municipality as a

Heritage Conservation District (HCD).

District designation enables the council of a municipality to manage and guide future

change in the district, through adoption of a district plan with policies and guidelines for

conservation, protection and enhancement of the area’s special character.

A HCD may comprise an area within a group or complex of buildings, or a larger area with

many buildings and properties. It may also comprise an entire municipality with a

concentration of heritage resources with special character or historical association that

distinguishes it from its surroundings.

Potential districts can be found in urban and rural environments. They may include

residential, commercial and industrial areas, rural landscapes or entire villages or hamlets

with features or land patterns that contribute to a cohesive sense of time or place.

Heritage Conservation Districts form an integral part of our cultural heritage. They

contribute to an understanding and appreciation of the cultural identity of the local

community, region, province or nation.

The significance of a HCD often extends beyond its built heritage, structures, streets,

landscape and other physical and spatial elements, to include important vistas and views

between and towards buildings and spaces within the district. The quality and interest of

a district may also depend on the diversity of the lifestyle and the traditions of the people

who live and work there.

As the users and the ultimate guardians, the community forms a vital part of a district.

Following recent legislative changes, there is growing interest in the designation of

heritage conservation districts in industrial, rural, waterfront, mining and other culturalheritage landscape settings that have not been fully considered before.


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Policy Framework

THE PROVINCIAL POLICY STATEMENT

The Provincial Policy Statement, 2014 (PPS, 2014) is the current policy statement

regarding municipal land use and planning matters of provincial interest. This policy

statement is made pursuant to section 3 of the Planning Act . The PPS promotes the wise

use and management of cultural heritage resources.

The key policy that supports the implementation of heritage districts is:

Policy 2.6.1:

Significant built heritage resources and significant cultural

heritage landscapes shall be conserved.

Policy 2.6.1 for the conservation of significant cultural heritage landscapes is not new, but

it is strengthened by the stronger implementation standard issued under the Planning Act

which requires that planning decisions by municipalities and other approval authorities

“shall be consistent with” the PPS, 2005. The PPS also includes a new policy that will

provide additional support for protection of HCDs and their setting:

POLICY 2.6.3:

Planning authorities shall not permit development and site alteration on

adjacent lands to protected heritage property except where the proposed

development and site alteration has been evaluated and it has been

demonstrated that the heritage attributes of the protected heritage

property will be conserved.

In other words, lands adjacent to protected heritage properties (which includes

designated HCDs) can be developed or altered only if the heritage attributes of theprotected property are conserved.

To put these policies in place, municipalities and approval authorities should integrate

heritage conservation objectives and policies into their land use planning documents and

approval procedures.


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Municipalities and planning authorities can incorporate more detailed cultural heritage

landscape conservation objectives and policies reflecting local heritage resources into itsofficial plans, land use documents, and their related development approval processes.

Conserving built heritage resources and cultural heritage landscapes means identifying,

protecting, using and managing them in such a way that their heritage values and

attributes are retained. This can be done through a secondary plan, HCD plan or a heritage

impact assessment.

MINISTRY OF CULTURE ONTARIO REGULATION 10/063

The Ministry of Culture’s Criteria for determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest ofProvincial significance identifies the following criteria for evaluation:

The property represents or demonstrates a theme or pattern in Ontario’s history.

The property yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to

an understanding of Ontario’s history.

The property demonstrates an uncommon, rare or unique aspect of Ontario’s

cultural heritage.

The property is of aesthetic, visual or contextual importance to the province.

The property demonstrates a high degree of excellence or creative, technical or

scientific achievement at a provincial level in a given period.

The property has a strong or special association with the entire province or with a

community that is found in more than one part of the province. The association

exists for historic, social, or cultural reasons or because of traditional use.

The property has a strong or special association with the life or work of a person,

group or organization of importance to the province or with an event of

importance to the province.

The property is located in unorganized territory and the Minister determines that

there is a provincial interest in the protection of the property.

3 Ontario Regulations 10/06, s.1 (2) issued January 25, 2006.


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Heritage Conservation District Designation Process


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Town of Kingsville Official Plan

CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES

It is the policy of this Plan that archaeological, cultural, and built heritage resources and

landscapes be identified, recognized, enhanced and conserved for the benefit of the

community. The Town shall work with the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee to

identify potential archaeological, cultural and built heritage resources and landscapes to

increase public awareness and involvement in the protection and enhancement of the

Town’s heritage features.

CULTURAL AND BUILT HERITAGE RESOURCES

For the purposes of this Plan, cultural heritage resources shall mean resources that are

valued for the important contribution they make to our understanding of the history of a

place, an event or a people. Built heritage resources shall mean one or more buildings,

structures, monuments, installations or remains associated with architectural, cultural,

social, political, economic or military history and identified as being important to a

community. These resources may be identified through designation or heritage

conservation easement under the Ontario Heritage Act , or listed by local, provincial or

federal jurisdictions.

Kingsville’s built heritage resources will be identified by:

a) Establishing a framework by which to judge the potential significance of built

heritage resources;

b) Researching and documenting the potential built heritage significance of

properties within the Town of Kingsville using the established framework;

c) Based on the completed research and documentation, preparing a register of

properties with potential built heritage significance;

d)

Contacting property owners regarding the potential significance of their propertyand seek their support to have their property designated as a “significant built

heritage resource”;

e) Encouraging Council to continue to offer property tax reduction incentives for

properties that have been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act;


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f) Monitoring demolition permit applications to ensure input in the event that a

property with potential built heritage significance is proposed for demolition.

Those properties designated in accordance with paragraph c) above (see those indicated

as designated in Appendix B of this Plan) and for which property tax incentives are being

received, shall be conserved. Demolition shall be prohibited and alterations shall only be

permitted if in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.

For those properties that are included in the Town of Kingsville Heritage Register

demolition shall only be permitted in compliance with the provisions of the Ontario

Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990.

Development and site alteration may be permitted on adjacent lands to protected heritage

property where the proposed development and site alteration has been assessed and

evaluated and it has been demonstrated that the heritage attributes of the protected

heritage property will be conserved. Mitigating measures and/or alternative development

approaches may be required in order to conserve the heritage attributes of the protected

heritage property affected by the adjacent development onsite alteration.

The Town may choose to designate a Heritage Conservation District or Districts, including

areas of cultural heritage landscape features and heritage attributes. Prior to the

designation of a Heritage District, Council may pass a by-law defining an area to beexamined for designation as such a district, or may prepare a study for the area to

determine the feasibility and appropriateness of such a designation. The study will be

prepared in accordance with the Province’s Heritage Conservation District Guidelines.

The study may also suggest policies and guidelines to advise Council as to the

consideration and approval of applications for new development and building alterations

on properties located within a designated Heritage Conservation District.


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Town of Kingsville Context

DOCUMENT RESEARCH

Each property on Division St South underwent extensive research and assessment. The

following resources were utilized:

tax assessment records

fire insurance maps

newspaper articles

books

CONSULTATION

There were several phases to the public consultation

process. Prior to requesting the study, properties

were featured in the Kingsville Reporter over a two-

year period. A companion website

http://divisionoftime.ca/ was established to provide

additional information and feedback from the public.

Once Town Council approved the study period, apublic open house was provided to the residents of

Kingsville. The event was advertised in the Kingsville

Reporter (see Figure 1). In addition, property owners

on Division St South. were invited by mail to attend.

The invitation also included a frequently asked

questions page to explain the nature of the district

and anticipate any concerns property owners might

have (Figure 3).

The open house allowed residents to view 40 display

boards that featured every property on Division St South. The boards were organized by

date of construction. Each property was identified by the year of construction, address,

history of the property, and current photo. In some instances, historical photos were also

provided.

Figure 1: Fire Insurance Map 1906

http://divisionoftime.ca/http://divisionoftime.ca/http://divisionoftime.ca/


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The open house was held on September 29, 2014 from 12:00-8:00 pm. Forty-one

individuals attended the event. All guests were invited to fill out a comment card. Threecomment cards were received.

To ensure that a wide public were able to see the display, the panels were also displayed at

the annual Migration Festival (October 18-19, 2014).

The Town of Kingsville received no concerns or objections to the proposed HCD.

Figure 2: Postcard of Division St South


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Figure 3: Invitation to Open House


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Conservation District Study

As a part of the historic neighbourhood of Kingsville in Southwest Ontario, Division St

South is a thriving example of a street rich in history and Victorian era architecture.

Kingsville values its heritage and is committed to growth and renewal in a way which

offers a small-town, friendly atmosphere. The objective of the Heritage District Study is to

identify and ascribe value to the heritage attributes that define the character of Division St

South while maintaining the cultural identity of the community.

Designation also allows the community to commemorate and recognize the value of its

architecture while developing a strategy for sustainability in the future.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A HERITAGE DISTRICT

While every municipality has its own unique characteristics that meet the requirements

for a heritage district, there are certain common characteristics developed within the

‘Guide to District Designation under the Ontario Heritage Act’ 4 that should be present:

A concentration of heritage buildings, sites, structures; designed landscapes,

natural landscapes that are linked by aesthetic, historical and socio-cultural

contexts or use.

A framework of structured elements including major natural features such as

topography, land form, landscapes, watercourses and built form such as pathways

and street patterns, landmarks, nodes or intersections, approaches and edges.

A sense of visual coherence through the use of such elements as building scale,

mass, height, material, proportion, color, etc. that convey a distinct sense of time or

place.

A distinctiveness that enables districts to be recognized and distinguishable from

their surroundings or from neighboring areas.

4 http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/publications/Heritage_Tool_Kit_HCD_English.pdf


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Cultural Heritage Value for Division St South

Today there is no more beautiful street in the world than Division

Street in Kingsville. Standing at the four corners and looking down

towards the lake the tourist sees a bower of huge trees reaching

high up toward heaven with their wealth of branches and glorious

green foliage meeting in the centre to form a perfect archway

under which people may pass.5

In January 2014, the Kingsville Municipal Council approved adopting a heritage district

through the process of a heritage district study. There are currently 81 properties onDivision St South running from Main Street to the shores of Lake Erie. These homes date

back as far as the 1870s with the ‘Canfield-Hellems’ House. The architectural significance

of the street has been further intensified by the variety of Victorian homes and culturally

relevant commercial properties.

Over the years, the Town of Kingsville has been privy to many exciting changes that added

to the significance of the town as a heritage locality. In the 1910s the decision to build the

Carnegie Library designed by Crane & Pennington on Division St South brought much

discussion and excitement to the Town of Kingsville. Today the building still stands as a

symbol of business, arts, culture and prosperity to the town.

In the 1940s at the height of the massive immigration boom to Canada, the government of

the day encouraged many Canadians and immigrants alike to invest in building as homes

were seen as the ‘heart of the nation’.6 Under the guise of building better homes for

families and providing jobs for the building sector, many homes were built on Division St

South. with the encouragement and assistance of the Canadian government and the

financial resources of the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

A history of fires has also contributed to the construction and reconstruction of many

homes and places of business and worship. The Epworth United Church, celebrated by its

5 11 Jun 1925 Kingsville Reporter pg.1. 6 31 May 1945 Kingsville Reporter pg. 9.


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fine Romanesque design – which the town used in promotional

brochures for the community – suffered a tremendous loss onApril 4, 1935 when fire broke out. The Sunday school rooms and

auditorium were saved, but the original 1893 Sanctuary was lost.

However, rather than completely demolish the building, the

church restored what they could, such as the chimney which was

built in the shape of an altar and incorporated into the new

design.

Figure 5: Epworth United, today, South view

The original Romanesque

design is featured in a

promotional postcard. The

altar-shaped originalchimney can be seen on the

right rear of the building.

Some of the features were

saved such as the red brick

and foundation. The altar-

shaped chimney was moved

to the south side of the

property which can be seen

in the picture to the left.

While the two-story turret

did not survive the

renovation, the base was

used in the new design.

EPWORTH UNITED

CHURCH

Figure 4: Epworth Methodist Church pre-fire, North view


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In the early spring of 1950 a fire gutted the house owned by Donald Taggart on Division St

South. The two-story Italianate home was home to four families, and the fire left 17 peoplehomeless. Built by J.H. Smart in 1889, the home was known for its attractive tower on the

front and its slate roof. In the 1940s, the home was renovated for use as a rooming house.

The cause of the fire was due to the aging and outdated gas light fixtures.

The property eventually became the site of

the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. On the

same property is a museum. The museum

holds collections regarding the United

Empire Loyalists and artifacts and

information on the People of Essex County

and their involvement in the defense of

their Country in the Fenian Raids, Boer

War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Cold

War, Peacekeeping, Bosnia, and

Afghanistan. Groundbreaking took place on

December 22, 1997 and the museum was

opened to the public on November 11,

1999. Named after a World War 2 Veteran,

Charlie Campbell served as a Mid-Upper

Air Gunner in the 419 Moose Squadron,

RCAF and was the Royal Canadian Legion’s

Mobile Museum’s first curator.

Probably the worst fire in Kingsville’s history – and the one that changed the downtownlandscape the most – happened on Monday November 9, 1981. Nine business were lost

and 23 people lost their home when fire broke out in the Wigle Block. This Victorian

landmark was completely lost, (see p. 26).

Figure 6: Aftermath of J.H. Smart House fire

Photo Courtesy of the Kingsville Archives


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Identifying the Study Area

The Division St South Heritage Conservation District includes all properties on the East

and West side of Division St South from Main Street to Lake Erie. Homes that abut Division

St South., are also included, such as 2 Mill Street,


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Dynamic Evolving District

STYLE

The design styles exhibited on Division St South are identifiable by the characteristic

attributes of architectural style rather than specific styles themselves. As the vast majority

of buildings within the study area have been subject to historical economic

inconsistencies over the last 150 years, several of the buildings have undergone extensive

renovations to manipulate the structures for new uses. However, many of the buildings

still exhibit the strong characteristics associated with architectural movements prevalent

at the time period of economic growth in the town. The progress of the decades ofdevelopment is clearly visible in the physical landscape of Division St South, through the

correlation of building construction dates and dominating architectural influences. Many

styles of architecture can be found in the downtown including those from the Victorian

era:

Victorian era (1840-1900)

Queen Victoria ruled from 1837 to

1901. When historians refer to

Victorian architecture they are

referring to any building or style

that was produced during the reign

of Queen Victoria. Thus there are

numerous styles and sub-styles

that were created during this time

frame.7 Some of the notable styles

that appear on Division St South

are Gothic Revival and Queen

Anne. Those built during the time

that cannot be identified as a

recognized style are referred to as Victorian, though many on the street are unique to

Kingsville and can be referred to as “Kingsville Vernacular.” One such home is the Russell

7 Victorian (1840-1900) Building Styles. www.OntarioArchitecture.com

Figure 7 - Russell H. & Ethel Pickard House (1911)

http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/http://www.ontarioarchitecture.com/


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H. & Ethel Pickard House (1911) that, while having no recognized academic style, is

typical of homes built in this decade in Kingsville.

Italianate (circa. 1850-1900):

Popular as an alternative to classical

design styles of the time the Italianate

Style appears frequently on Canadian

streets as an attractive and exaggerated

design. These buildings were indicative

of wealth and higher status within the

community and were often dominant.Facades were often divided into

symmetrical bays with accenting

pediments, double brackets, pilasters and

moldings. Cast iron was a common

building material used to construct accent

details such as cornices around traditional double hung 6-over-6 or 8-over-8 window

sashes.

A number of Italianate homes

on Division St South havebeen designated; including

the Howard Scratch (Kratz)

House 1886) and the James

W. King House (1882).

Figure 8- Howard Scratch (R. Kratz) House (1886)

Figure 9 - James W. King House (1882)


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Gothic Revival (1750-1900)

Early settlers from the United

Kingdom who settled in Ontario

translated elements of English stone

buildings into wood on cottages and

smaller residences in Ontario. These

homes are often eclectic and ornate.

Gothic Revival homes used medieval

details and building practices adapted

to the Ontario climate. Sometimes a

Georgian frame is filled with Gothic or

Tudor details such as verge boarding,

finials, scalloping, lancet windows,

hood molds and carved label stops.

Examples of Gothic elements on Division St South include those one the Gothic home built

by Elihu Scratch (1887).

While having undergone several changes, the Canfield-Hellems House (1872) still retains

some of its Gothic features such as the pitched roof. Underneath the aluminum siding is

the original board and batten siding.

Figure 11 - Canfield-Hellems House (1872) original (l) today (r).

Figure 10 - Elihu Scratch House (1887)


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Queen Anne (1870-1910)

The Queen Anne Revival Style like many of

the larger residential styles that were

prominent during the final decades of the

19th century, was fueled by the wealthy

upper middle classes who through luck

and very hard work had managed to make

a success of their new lives in Canada. It

was a style meant to be enjoyed by those

who lived within it and those who livednear it. At the centre was a solid family

who needed a large, opulent home where

the children could grow into prominence

surrounded by the fruits of their ancestors’

labours enjoying a lovely garden, many spacious and highly ornate living areas, and

enough bedrooms for all the family, guests and servants.

The Queen Anne style always has

a verandah, sometimes wrapping

all the way around a house.There are many small rooms

where each member of the

household could find some peace

and quiet. The style is opulent

without the ornament found in

Italianate or Italian villa. The

house often has a tower, but the

styling of the tower has no

balconettes or eyebrow windowtreatments.

There are numerous homes in Kingsville and on Division St South that were built as Queen

Anne homes, or refurbished into this style. The Curtis J. Green (1893) was a home built in

the Queen Anne style. The curved porches were removed at a later date and enclosed.

Figure 12 - Curtis Green House (1893) original, side

view

Figure 13 - Curtis J. Green House (1893) today, front view


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In contrast, the Coda-Leach

house, was a typicalKingsville Victorian era farm

house that had balcony and

iron-work added at a later

date.

Mid-Century Modern (1945-1965)

The mid-century modern style was a self-conscious attempt to put the past behind and

move on. First the Great Depression of the 1930s and then the Second World War left

scars that went unhealed for many years. The end of World War II began a boom in home

construction in Canada, and families were eager for a change from the austere existence of

the preceding seven years. Although homes built during this period were not going to be

large, it was hoped that “houses could be designed as an improved wartime housing unit

with basements, central heating and other similar amenities.”

With the upsurge in the economy in the postwar years families were quick to embrace an

architecture that was suited to all the modern conveniences such as refrigerators, electric

ovens, and continuous counter tops – all things that the Ontario resident in the first part

of the 21st century takes for granted – but were not part of the package in a pre-WWIIhome. The Mid-Century modern house with its large picture windows and sloping roof to

create a carport was perfect for the family on the go.

Figure 14- Coda Leach House (1884)


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In 1945, The Central Mortgage and

Housing Corporation (CMHC) Act wasestablished, not only to encourage and

protect mortgage lending, but to also

develop a national building code and

improve technology and efficiency. The

CMHC worked with Canadian architects

to produce floor plan catalogues and

blue prints were available for purchase.

This home was built for George and Eva

Moore in 1948 and is a typical exampleof a post-war house.

Figure 15 - George & Eva Moore House (1948)

Colin Cornelius (Neil) Quick, an electrical

contractor, had this home built in 1954. That was

also the year Kingsville was “changed over” from

25 to 60-cycle frequency by the Hydro-ElectricPower Commission of Ontario. The previous year

hydro employees spent a week in Kingsville, going

house to house, taking inventory of all “frequency

sensitive equipment.” The estimate for the

changeover was 3,700 appliances: “including

approximately 850 washing machines, nearly 600

refrigerators and 350 record players.”Figure 16 - Colin Cornelius Quick House(1954)


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Modern buildings

Kingsville’s Division St South continues

to grow and evolve into the 21century.

Each decade since 1870 has been

represented by some new building.

While building has slowed in recent

decades, fires and other calamities have

resulted in replacement buildings. In

each decade of the 1970s through to

2000 at least one property was built on

the street.

When the Motorco building complex was

completed in 1985, it contained 18

apartment units and 12,000 square feet of commercial space. This building replaced two

blocks that were destroyed by fire in 1981. The Wigle-Conklin Block, on the corner of

Division and Main, was completed for Dr. Andrew Wigle and David Conklin in 1896 and

just south was the E.A. Brown Block. Built in 1923, the Brown Block was Kingsville’s post

office until 1936 when the federal building was opened on the north-east corner of

Division and Main. The Motorco building’s architect “worked closely with the Town,

Motorco and Nova Goldsmiths so that the building would blend in with the present decor

of the downtown area” and included a “gift to the people of Kingsville of a triangle of land

to replace the loss of the Town Square.”

Figure 17 - Kingsville Town Square (1985)

Figure 18 – Wigle-Conklin Block, South West corner ofMain St and Division St


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In 1916, the Town of Kingsville granted

an eastern portion of Lakeside Park tothe Department of the Naval Service

of the Dominion of Canada for a fish

hatchery. Built on the west side of

Division St South, the hatchery was

used to “raise herring and whitefish

fry for the western end of Lake Erie.”

Also built in 1916 was a two-story

house for the superintendent, just

west of the hatchery. In 1998, thehatchery building was demolished

and the superintendent’s house was

sold and moved. The property was developed to include these townhouses on the new

“Lakeside Crescent” in 2001.

Commercial and Public Buildings

Division St South represents a mix

of private residences and

businesses. The block betweenMaple and Main extends north

into the centre of town and

includes some of the most prized

commercial buildings in the

town.

The headline in The Kingsville

Reporter on April 4th, 1935 was

“Epworth United Church

Burned.” The church, designed byChatham architect James L. Wilson,

was built in 1893 with Thomas Jenner

as the contractor, Woodiwiss Bros. as the brick and stone masons and H.R. Kratz

responsible for the iron and tin work. Memorial Hall, which was built in 1922, was saved

Figure 19 - Lakeside Crescent Townhomes (2001)

Figure 20 - Epworth United Church (1893)


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from the fire. The new church was designed by Windsor architect J.C. Pennington and built

on much of the original stone foundation by the Oxley Bros. The “rebuilt Epworth UnitedChurch” was dedicated on April 19th, 1936.

David Conklin (1854-1952) was a

very successful business owner

whose primary endeavour was a

lumber mill. Other investments

included farming and commercial

properties like the Conklin Building.

David purchased the vacant lot on the

south-east corner of Division and

Main from J.W. King in April 1901 for

$1,600, and the brick block was

completed by December. The building

was designed by architect John A.

Maycock and D.H. McCay was the

superintendent of construction. Shortly

after completion, Molson’s Bank moved into the corner section and “the dry good

establishment of C.W. Hendershot” occupied the L-shaped store which had entrances on

both Division and Main.

Figure 21 - Conklin Building (1901)


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Another successful

businessman was BonJasperson who, at the

age of 46, had already

been involved in a

number of businesses

with various partners

in private banking,

grain warehouses, a

canning factory, local

lime kilns, the ElectricLight Plant, a tobacco

factory and gas and oil

fields. Partnering with

local furniture maker

and undertaker Charles

Pearsall, Jasperson had this brick block built in 1915. When completed, Pearsall opened a

jewelry store in the northern section and Jasperson kept his office above the southern

storefront, which housed the customs office.

When American steel magnate Andrew

Carnegie retired from active business in

1901, he devoted the rest of his years to

philanthropy. In his lifetime, he donated

$56 million to build 2,509 libraries

throughout the world. Kingsville was

offered funding and a library by-law,

which passed 235-34, was voted upon

during the 1911 Municipal Election.

Windsor architects Crane & Pennington

designed the library, and Kingsville

Council had to approve an additional

$2,000 to add to Carnegie’s donation toFigure 23 - Carnegie Library (1913)

Figure 22 - Jasperson Building (1915)


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cover the building costs. The Woodiwiss

Brothers were masons on the project.

For 57 years (from 1868 to 1925) the

northeast corner of Division and Pearl

was owned by the Cooper family.

Cooper was a tailor by trade, and

conducted his business out of his home

on this lot. The Cox Bros. garage

replaced the Cooper house in 1929, and

Ernie Cox built a two-story addition for

his bicycle shop in the 1930s. Over the

years, the one-story garage was home to

a laundromat, Box Office Video, a sports

equipment store and youth centre. This

two-story brick building, which currently

features a dance studio, was built on the

former site of the garage and was completed in 2012.

Figure 24 - 19 Division St South (2012)


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Materials

Buildings in Kingsville were predominantly constructed using vernacular materials. In the

early decades of development in town, local fieldstone and brick were popular choices for

those who could afford it. With the close proximity to the Miner Brick Yard and Broadwell

Brick and Tile, most structures constructed after 1860 were done so using red brick.

Fieldstone remained a popular choice for foundations.

Wood frame construction dominated the early 20th century construction in town and

many residential or mixed commercial-residential buildings were built using washboard

or board and

batten siding onstone or brick

foundation

walls. Today

many of these

wood frame

dwellings have

been covered

with siding to

avoid the cost of

restoring the

weathered

materials.

Height and Massing

The height of buildings in downtown ranges from modern one-story flat roofed

construction to the tall three-story modern Kingsville Town Square on Main St West and

Division St South. Most buildings average a respectable height of two-stories.

Similarly, buildings are visibly tighter in massing where construction occurred before the

1940’s. This can be attributed to the widespread use of the car and the increased demand

for onsite parking spots for businesses and residential units.

A full list of properties recommended as part of the district can be found in Appendix A.

Figure 25 - Epworth Parsonage (1908)


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Streetscape Context and Assessment

STREET LAYOUT

Division St South’s most notable features are its gentle vertical decline and sheer width.

VEGETATION

The 1.2 kilometer public streetscape is defined by a mature canopy of deciduous treesfrom past beautification plans. The importance of the mature vegetation is noticeable inthe iconic postcards of the street. While many of these trees are beginning to reach the

end of their lifetime, the impact of shade on the street has been consistent through thedevelopment of the Town and will requirea conscious effort to retain movingforward.

The jewel of the town’s public spaces isLakeside Park. First opened in 1907,Lakeside Park is an 11.26 acre greenspace with 553-foot frontage on LakeErie. In response to urbanization andindustrialization of daily life during thelate 1800s and early 1900s, the urban

park became the destination of people duringtheir leisure hours. Following the trend that ledto the development of New York City’s CentralPark, Kingsville’s Municipal Council purchasedfrom a group of Detroit businessmen the landcurrently known as Lakeside Park. Today,Lakeside Park, with its distinctive assemblage ofnatural, historic and cultural resources is atestament to the vision of the 1907 Kingsville

Council.

Figure 27 - Lakeside Park (1907)

Figure 26: Postcard showcasing Elm trees


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Recommendations

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The area of Division St South has been subject to the ebb-and-flow of small town growth

for over 150 years. The dynamic evolution of the Town is reflected in the diversity of

architectural styles ranging from modest turn of the century Victorian residences to

Queen Anne Revival to Mid-Century Modern. The visual impact of these buildings is

reflected in their homogenous uses of vernacular building materials such as the red bricks

forged in the local Broadwell and Miner Brick yards. The streetscape is enhanced by the

additional use of modest wooden clapboard siding. The miscellany of uses historicallyfound in Division St South have provided the framework for sustainable economic

activities and diversification in use by facilitating micro-streetscapes – each providing a

unique atmosphere for different land uses. Collectively these micro-streetscapes provide a

community unto itself as well as a wider social gathering place for regional residents as

well as seasonal tourists. Division St South exists as an excellent example of a dynamic,

evolving, cultural landscape with an eclectic mix of both modest vernacular and designed

structures and a strong association to the economic development of the Town of

Kingsville.

BOUNDARY

The recommended boundary for the Division St South District encompasses the entirety

of residential and commercial properties on Division St from Main Street south towards

Lake Erie.

CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS

1. Mixed building setback from the streetscape

2. Corner building orientations to the intersections along Main Street.

3.

Sidewalks and pedestrian oriented intersections

4. Visible use of local vernacular materials


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GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDED 1.

THAT Council consider the adoption of the neighbourhood brand of Division St

South for the marketing of the downtown core;

2. THAT Council consider the adoption of a bylaw to designate the Division St South

Heritage Conservation District under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act ;

3. THAT Council consider the adoption of a motion to institute a reserve fund to

provide grants for restoration or revitalization initiatives by private property

owners within the Conservation District;

4. THAT Council consider the suggestion and recommendations of the building

inventory for repair and improvement of buildings in Division St South;

5.

THAT Council consider amending the Official Plan schedules to include the

identified properties of interest and the Conservation District Boundary;

6. THAT Council consider amending the downtown Master Plan to be compliant with

the guidelines of the future Heritage Conservation District Plans;

7. THAT Council consider a new sign bylaw specific to the style and characteristics of

the Conservation District;

8. THAT Council consider directing staff to incorporate the Conservation District in

the marketing and economic development plan for the Town Kingsville;

9. THAT Council consider establishing a by-law to limit or reduce commercial truck

traffic on Division St South.

RECOMMENDED CONSERVATION GUIDELINES FOR

PUBLIC SPACES All streetscapes should have Carolinian trees planted on the boulevard;

All streetscapes should have public amenities available to pedestrians

o such as benches, garbage cans, lighting, and sidewalks;

These amenities should be constructed of similar design, style and material so as to

create unity in street furniture;


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RECOMMENDED CONSERVATION GUIDELINES FOR BUILDINGS

All restoration, rehabilitation or preservation projects shall be conducted in

accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic

Places in Canada;

New construction should be consistent in the academic style of its era;

Figure 28: Fire Insurance Map, 1917


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Next Steps

With the conclusion of the Heritage Conservation District Study, it is at Council’s

discretion to determine whether the designation should proceed. The study has indicated

a high level of cultural value unique to the community and has provided the foundation for

a set of guidelines to be adopted into a Conservation Plan.

Should Council wish to proceed with investigating designation a motion from the

Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee will be required before staff can proceed with the

preparation of the Heritage Conservation District Plan and amendments to the Official

Plan.

Similarly to all amendments to the Official Plan, a public consultation period is required in

order to provide the community with the opportunity to contribute feedback regarding

staff recommendations. It is highly recommended that an information package, developed

in consultation with Planning and Development Services, rather than the standard Public

Notice, be circulated either by mail or in the newspaper and a specific webpage with

frequently asked questions be made available on the Town of Kingsville website.

Information packages should include, at minimum, the findings of the Study, a draft

version of the Statement of Significance and a frequently asked questions brochure

regarding the implications of district designation.

Following the public notification process, Council will have the opportunity to determine

whether a designation is appropriate and may adopt a bylaw to recognize the Heritage

Conservation District. Following the passing of the bylaw, any person or public agency

owning property within the district may make a motion to object to the Ontario Municipal

Board. If no objection is made, Council must adopt the Heritage Conservation District Plan

and Guidelines for the Conservation District to become an enforceable easement under

Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act .

Documents

Division Street South Heritage Conservation District Study