18: 8 Navy St & King Street, Erchless Estate

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1 1. Description of Property Municipal Address Name (if applicable) Legal Description 18: 8 Navy St & King Street, Erchless Estate 8 Navy St & King St Erchless Estate 8 Navy Street: Plan 1 BLK 83 BLK 85 PT WATER ST PT FRONT ST (As written in Registry Doc) PCL , SEC H-1 ; BLKS 83 & 84, PL 1, PT LT 6, BLK 53, PL 1, PT LT 7, BLK 53, PL 1, PT LT 8, BLK 53, PL 1, PT LT 4, BLK 55, PL 1, PT LT 1, BLK 85, PL 1, PT LT 2, BLK 85, PL 1, PT LT 3, BLK 85, PL 1, PT LT 4, BLK 85, PL 1 ; PT FRONT ST, PL 1, King Street: PCL , SEC H-1 ; LT 1, BLK 53, PL 1, LT 2, BLK 53, PL 1, LT 3, BLK 53, PL 1, LT 4, BLK 53, PL 1, LT 5, BLK 53, PL 1 ; PT LT 6, BLK 53, PL 1, PT LT 7, BLK 53, PL 1, PT LT 8, BLK 53, PL 1 ; LT 3, BLK 55, PL 1 ; PT LT 2, BLK 55, PL 1, PT LT 4, B Location of Property The property is located on the west side of Navy Street, at its south end. It is bounded by Lakeside Park on the east, and the Sixteen Mile Creek opening to Lake Ontario to the south and west. The property extends north to King St. Ownership Town of Oakville, Easement with the Ontario Heritage Trust Access Access was granted by Town Staff (Bill Nesbitt). Site inspection completed August 11 th, 2015 (AB, CU, ES). Current Use Oakville Museum and headquarters for the Oakville Historical Society. Existing Designation Designated Heritage Property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. By-law No No Reasons for Designation are attached to the by-law. Easement held by the Ontario Heritage Trust. Registered Archaeological Site (AiGw-401) General Description Priority Level Within the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District but expressly excluded from the District. The Erchless Estate is prominently located on the top of a hill, on the east side of Oakville Harbour, at the opening of the Sixteen Mile Creek. It includes the Customs house, Erchless Estate, the cottage and coach house. It was owned by the Chisholm family for well over 100 years and each new resident made their own changes. Original owner, George Chisholm created Oakville Harbour and shipping port and is credited with founding the Town. The house and grounds are open to the public and serve as home to the Oakville Museum and headquarters for the Oakville Historical Society. Medium 18-1

2 Figure 1: 8 Navy Street (at left) & King St. (at right). (CU, 2015) 18-2

3 Stone Wall Cottage Ruin Stone Wall Sixteen Mile Creek Parking Lot Navy St. Erchless Estate Front St. Historic Garden Stone Wall W.C. Old Post Office Thomas House Pavilion Lake Ontario Stone Wall Pavilion Navy St. Front St. Parking Lot Corporation of the Town of Oakville 1225 Trafalgar Rd Oakville, ON L6H 0H3 Cottage Stone Wall Ruin Erchless Estate Stone Wall Erchless Estate Cultural Heritage Landscape Inventory Map LEGEND Assessment Boundary Historic Garden Building CHL Study Area Heritage District Heritage Trail Parkland Park Trail Sixteen Mile Creek Road Site Structures Vegetation Watercourse Drawing not to scale

4 2. Key Recommendations Priority = Medium Rationale for priority level: All existing built and natural cultural heritage resources may not have been identified or included in current designation. Recommendations for future action: Conduct a full evaluation of the property to identify its cultural heritage value and interest and prepare a statement of value and description of heritage attributes; Amend the existing designation by-law to correct or clarify the statement of value and description of heritage attributes and include both built and landscape features of the site; Consider including the Erchless Estate in any future revision of the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District, and removing the current exclusion; Consider referencing the property in the Official Plan or secondary plans; and Consider preparing a conservation plan to ensure the appropriate conservation through maintenance and repair of built and natural resources at the site. 3. Documentation and Inventory of Built Form List of Built Features: 8 Navy St Original house (built c.1830): a square, two-storey, red-brick house with a hip roof; Customs House (built 1856): a two-storey, red-brick structure on a stone foundation with a gable roof; Family Home/Erchless Estate (built 1858): a red-brick house on a stone foundation, with a hip roof and gable outlooks; Two linkages that connect the three buildings; An 1858 stone wall and iron fence along the south part of the property, towards the water; A rebuilt stone wall along Navy Street made with stone salvaged from an 1858 wall that was dismantled; and Commemorative plaques throughout the property King Street Coach House: a wood-frame building with a long, low profile and wood-shingle siding. It has a varied roof line with two front gables, a brick interior chimney and a cupola; and Cottage: a small building made with vintage wood. It was restored by the Oakville Historical Society and is now attached to the Coach House. 4. Documentation and Inventory of Natural Form List of Natural Features: A rock garden with flagstone steps and path down to the water; Old plantings include: Austrian Pine, Ivy, Lily of the Valley, Lilac, Euonymus, Mugho Pine and Blue Spruce; A curved stone wall along the top of the bank, wrapping around the old stone-foundation ruin, with mature London Plane/Sycamore, Hickory, Oak, Black Locust, Spruce; and A salvaged fountain, privet hedge and boxwood around the cottage. 18-4

5 5. Design (Typology) X all that apply X X X Categories of Cultural Heritage Landscape Designed Landscape Organically Evolved Landscape Relict Landscape (Evolved Landscape) Continuing Landscape (Evolved Landscape) Associative Cultural Landscape Description clearly defined landscape designed and created intentionally by man. results from an initial social, economic, administrative, and/or religious imperative and has developed in its present form in response to its natural environment in which an evolutionary process came to an end at some time in the past. retains an active social role in contemporary society closely associated with the traditional way of life, and which the evolutionary process is still in progress. justifiable by virtue of the powerful religious, artistic, or cultural associations of the natural element rather than material cultural evidence, which may be insignificant or even absent. 6. Historical and Thematic Associations The property is closely associated with the Chisholm family, who built it and lived there for over a century. In 1827, William Chisholm ( ) purchased 960 acres of Crown land at the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek to develop a shipping harbour. He dredged the mouth of the river, built two piers into the lake to create a protected harbour, and built a shipyard at the north end of Navy Street. The harbour fostered a booming local shipping industry that peaked in the 1850s. William s third son, Robert Kerr Chisholm ( ) served as Deputy Post Master and Deputy Customs Collector at Oakville Harbour. When his father died in 1842, he took over as Customs Collector, serving for the next 56 years until his own death. In 1856 Robert built the Customs House (Figure 3). In 1858 he built his family home alongside the Customs House and added stone walls with decorative iron fencing. Robert s son Allan Stuart Chisholm ( ) took over the estate in 1899, building a charming stable and coach house, a tennis court, a windmill and pump, a winding carriage path, and many beautiful gardens. The carriage path is now narrowed as a foot path and winds its way around what are now the museum grounds. 1 When Allan died in 1918, the estate was sold to his cousin s widow, Emelda Beeler Chisholm ( ). Emelda had two daughters, Hazel and Juliet: the cottages were built for them and they lived there for many years. Hazel Chisholm Hart Mathews ( ) founded the Oakville Historical Society and wrote extensively on the history of Oakville. 2 In , Emelda Chisholm removed a terrace built by Allan and had the Toronto landscape architects H.B. & L.A. Dunington-Grubb put in an extensive rock garden. Howard and Lorrie Alfreda Dunington-Grubb were key figures in the professionalization of landscape architecture in Canada: they produced hundreds of designs and master plans for Ontario gardens and public parks, were among the nine founding members of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects in 1934, 1 Ashe & Burnell, pg Ibid 18-5

6 started Sheridan Nurseries and its landscape contracting department, lectured on landscape design for the University of Toronto architecture school, and promoted the role and importance of the profession. 3 The property remained in the Chisholm family until 1966 when a developer purchased the land with the intent of demolishing the site to build apartments. The estate was purchased in 1976 by the Town of Oakville, restored and opened as a museum. Figure 3: Historical Postcard of Erchless Estate, n.d. (Provided by Town of Oakville) 7. Contextual Associations The property is located to the east of the Sixteen Mile Creek opening. It is historically linked to the harbour and waterway because of William Chisholm s role in creating the port and shipping industry, and Robert Chisholm s role in building the Customs House and serving as collector. To the south of the property is a long pier with an automated lighthouse and a large marine building known as the TOWARF. The area surrounding the property is designated as part of the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District and its historical significance is linked with that of the Erchless Estate, the harbour and the former shipping port. Although it falls within the boundaries of the heritage conservation district, Erchless Estate was specifically excluded from the district plan. 3 Howard Burlingham Dunington-Grubb in The Canadian Encyclopedia at and Lorrie Alfreda Dunington-Grubb in The Canadian Encyclopedia at

7 8. Evaluation (O. Reg 9/06) O.Reg.9/06 Criteria 1. The property has design value or physical value because it, i. is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material, or construction method, ii. displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit, or iii. demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement. 2. The property has historical value or associative value because it, i. has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community, ii. yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture, or iii. demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community. 3. The property has contextual value because it, i.is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area, ii. is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings, or iii. is a landmark. Criteria Potentially Met (Y/N) Y N N Y Y N Y Y Y Potential Justification The individual houses and buildings (1830 house, Customs House, Erchless Estate, cottage and coach house) may each be representative of a style or type. The landscape designed by the Dunington-Grubbs may be an example of early 20 th century garden design. Not shown. Not shown. The property is associated with the Chisholm family, in particular William Chisholm who founded the community and created the harbour and shipping port. The Customs House is also associated with the history of Oakville as a shipping centre. The property has the potential to yield information that contributes to an understanding of early Oakville. The c.1927 garden may demonstrate the work of the Dunington-Grubbs, who were significant in the history of the province and country. The Erchless Estate is important in defining the character of the area. The Erchless Estate is historically linked to its surroundings, including Oakville Harbour. Erchless Estate functions as a landmark within Oakville. 18-7

8 9. Photographic Documentation Figure 4: Pier and lighthouse on Lake Ontario, at the south end of property. (CU, 2015) Figure 5: The TOWARF marine building at the bottom of Navy Street, adjacent to the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek. (CU, 2015) 18-8

9 Figure 6: Looking north towards Erchless Estate from the bottom of Navy St. (CU, 2015) Figure 7: South elevations of Erchless Estate. (CU, 2015) 18-9

10 Figure 8: Erchless Estate, showing gates and entrance to the grounds. (CU, 2015) Figure 9: Landscaped grounds facing west, with the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek in the distance. (CU, 2015) 18-10

11 Figure 10: Examples of plaques found throughout the property. (CU, 2015) Figure 11: Remnants of a stone foundation with new plantings. (CU, 2015) 18-11

12 Figure 12: The Cottage found on the northern part of the property. (CU, 2015) Figure 13: Plantings around the Cottage and Coach house. (CU, 2015) 18-12

13 Figure 14: A stone gate on King Street at the corner of Navy Street. (CU, 2015) Figure 15: A stone wall on Navy Street south of King Street. It was made with materials salvaged from the old retaining wall at the foot of Navy St. (CU, 2015)

14 10. Analysis & Recommendations Potential Heritage Value: The property has cultural heritage value and interest because of its associations with the Chisholm family and the early history of Oakville as a shipping port, as well as with more recent history such as the work of Hazel Chisholm in supporting and nurturing an understanding and appreciation of the history of the Town. In addition to their associative value, individual resources within the property may represent examples of historical styles or types, including the Customs House, the 1830 and 1858 houses, the early 20 th -century cottage and coach house, and the 1920s garden designed by the Dunington-Grubbs. The property is a key feature in establishing the character of the area and functions as an important landmark. Actions: The property is designated under Part IV of the OHA. However, because the designation by-law dates to 1976, it does not include any reasons for designation, or any description at all of the key resources and values of the site. A full evaluation would provide the information necessary to identify the cultural heritage value and interest of the property and its heritage attributes and would enable the Town to prepare an amendment to the existing by-law. Section 30.1 permits municipalities to amend a designation by-law to correct or clarify the statement of value and heritage attributes, without going through the process of passing a new by-law. If this is not already in place, the Town may also want to consider creating a conservation plan to assist in maintenance and repair of the site. The property is within the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District, designated in 1981, but is expressly excluded from the protection of the district. The Town may want to reconsider whether this is appropriate. Taking into consideration changes in the way heritage conservation districts are governed and managed since 2005, it might be of benefit to include Erchless Estate in the district in any future revisions to the District. In addition, the Town may want to consider referencing the property in the Official Plan or secondary plan, in order to confirm the Town s approach to the site as a key property in the history of Oakville. A medium priority level is recommended for the following reason: All existing built and natural cultural heritage resources may not have been identified or included in current designation. 11. Sources Ashe, David and Joyce Burnell, Oakville Street Names and Landmarks, (London, ON: Burnell Creighton Publishing, 2007). Shearer, Wendy, The Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate Comprehensive Site Plan, n.d. McGillivray Architects, Conditions Survey of Masonry and Exterior Woodwork for Erchless House Museum & Customs House. Prepared September 21, Town of Oakville Heritage Register: Section F. Last updated: October 24th, Accessed online at Appendix A THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF OAKVILLE BY-LAW NUMBER A by-law to designate certain property as property of historic and architectural value and interest (Erchless Holdings) THE COUNCIL ENACTS AS FOLLOWS: 1. The property commonly known and referred to as the Chisholm Estate or Erchless Holdings is hereby designated 18-14

15 as a property of historical and architectural value and interest pursuant to The Ontario Heritage Act, The property designated by this by-law is the property described in Schedule A of the by-law. PASSED by the Council this 8 th day of June,