IN THE MATTER OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT, R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER 0.18 AND IN THE MATTER OF THE LANDS AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATION IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake intends to designate the property at 1413 LAKESHORE ROAD, ROSELAWN (PLAN M11 LOT 190) as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter 0.18.
Description of Property
The subject property is located on 1413 Lakeshore Road. Roselawn is located on Lakeshore Road that runs through the north end of the Town and connects the rural areas in that portion of the Town with Old Town. The two-storey structure is located with a large setback from Lakeshore Road. The access to the house is through a narrow gravel driveway from Lakeshore Road. The driveway is lined with mature trees.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
The property has cultural heritage value or interest for its design and physical values, its historical and associative values and its contextual values.
1413 Lakeshore Road is a representative example of Georgian style of architecture in the Town with some Italianate influences. It is similar in form and style to various other Georgian historic structures in the Town. The subject property is a two-storey brick structure with a square plan. The façade of the residence is symmetrical with three bays. The side elevations are also symmetrical with two bays. The red brick construction is laid in Flemish bond with rubble stone foundation. The hipped roof of the residence feature overhanging eaves, moulded soffit and frieze with wooden brackets. The subject property comprises of rectangular openings with radiating voussoirs on side elevations with moulded trim details within the opening. The main entryway on the facade is slightly recessed into the elevation.
Roselawn has historical association with the early Loyalist settlers in the Niagara Region, namely the Ball family. The land, on which the subject property stands today, was granted to Jacob Ball senior in 1797. He was a lieutenant in the Butler’s Rangers. The land stayed within the family and eventually in 1850 Roselawn was constructed by the grandson of Jacob Ball, Charles Adolphus Francis Ball. The Ball family have been an essential part of the history of the Niagara Region. The subject property has historical association with Thomas Baker Rivett. Thomas Rivett was an immigrant from Ireland. He started a fruit growing business in Niagara and was also involved in various other agricultural related businesses. He was the founder and secretary treasurer of a fruit basket factory based at the Dock area. The subject property also has historical association with the Mennonite immigrant, Peter Wall. Peter Wall was a successful fruit farmer in the Niagara Region. He founded the Niagara Canning Company limited. The enterprise allowed the farmers to be shareholders in a company that provided an outlet for their produce. Both Thomas Rivett and Peter Wall have been significant in the growth of agriculture and agriculture related business in the Niagara Region.
Roselawn has the potential to yield information that contributes to the understanding of the Ball family and the life of the early United Empire Loyalists who settled in the Niagara Region. The land around the house appears to be undisturbed and may also reveal archaeological artifacts that provide an insight to all the various personalities who have resided in the house.
1413 Lakeshore Road has contextual value because it is important in defining the historic character of the area. In the late 1700s and the early 1800s, when land was originally granted by the Crown, the property parcels usually comprised of large areas of agricultural lands with a built structure. Although the subject property was subdivided with the passage of time, it still retains the essence of large lots with a historic structure, surrounding farmland and mature trees. Roselawn is also historically linked to its surrounding through the various mature black walnut trees located in the study area. These trees appear to have been planted as part of Thomas Rivett’s business of growing and selling black walnut trees to the Town’s Parks and Shade Trees Committee. These trees are still present on the subject lands and contribute to the rich history of the subject property.
Description of Key Heritage Attributes
Key exterior attributes that embody the heritage value of the estate at 287 Warner Road include its:
Objections
Any objection to this designation must be filled no later than 30 days after the date of publication of the Notice of Intent to Designate. Objections should be directed to the Town Clerk, 1593 Four Mile Creek Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, L0S 1T0. The last date to file a notice of objection is August 9th 2024.
Queries
Any further queries should be directed to Sumra Zia, Heritage Planner at (905) 468-3266 ext. 327 or through email at [email protected].
Dated at the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake this 10th day of July 2024
GRANT BIVOL, CLERK
