Evaluation Date September 12, 2017 Historic Resources Inventory Evaluation Form Community District Designation Downtown Grade 1 The place should be rated for each of the criteria below, in order to establish its relative significance. This will determine if the place merits inclusion on the Medicine Hat Historic Resources Inventory, or not, and whether it is Grade 2 (Moderate/High Heritage Significance) or Grade 1 (Exceptional/Outstanding Heritage Significance). Site Name(s): Porter Residence Municipal Address: 205 1 Street SE Architectural Style: Victorian Legal: 0812152;34;4 Date of Construction: circa 1894 Architect: Unknown Site Area: 0.047ha Builder: Unknown Consultant(s): Donald Luxton & Associates Heritage Planner: City of Medicine Hat Evaluation Date: Y 2017 M 09 D 12 1
Statement of Significance Site Name Porter Residence Site Name: Porter Residence Municipal Address: 205 1 Street SE Description of Historic Place The Porter Residence is located on a corner lot at the intersection of 1 st Street SE and 2 nd Avenue SE west of Medicine Hat s historic downtown. The one and one-half storey front-gabled house is set back from the road on a large rectangular lot. The wooden-frame house is identifiable by its irregular plan, multi-pitched roofs, bay window with balcony on the side façade, abundance of single assembly window openings, and substantial internal brick chimneys with corbelled caps. Heritage Value of Historic Place The Porter Residence, constructed circa 1894, is valued as one of the city s earliest residences and representative of the initial settlement period in Medicine Hat. Prior to the arrival of the CPR in 1883, the landscape upon which Medicine Hat was founded was largely occupied by Indigenous people. The federal government promoted the settlement of the prairies through the creation of the 1871 Homestead Act, which legally permitted the division and ownership of prairie land. Boosters further promoted the region s available land, abundant natural gas, and clay deposits throughout Europe and eastern Canada to attract immigrants to southern Alberta. These actions contributed to the mass migration of settlers to the area in the 1880s. When the CPR crossed the South Saskatchewan River in 1883, the future city of Medicine Hat was a mere tent town. The railway permitted the movement of people and goods into southern Alberta and initiated multiple waves of immigration and settlement. The extant residence, constructed a decade after the arrival of the railway, is a physical link to the city s earliest settlement period. Medicine Hat s commercial and residential development started in proximity to the railway line itself. As the lots around the railway tracks were developed, primarily for commercial and institutional buildings, residential development extended into the neighbouring areas. Many of Medicine Hat s earliest homes were built along what was then called South River Street (now 1 st Street SE). The Porter Residence is one of a few pre-1900 homes still standing in Medicine Hat. The Porter Residence is also valued for its connection with its original owner and prominent early Medicine Hat pioneer, Richard (Dick) Cunningham Porter. Born in Goderich, ON, in 1857, Dick travelled west with his brothers, Robert and James, working for the CPR. They settled first in Winnipeg in 1882, before following their father, Samuel Porter, to Medicine Hat, arriving in September 1883. Dick s grandfather had emigrated from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland with his family in 1834, settling in Ontario s Huron County. The Porter s immigration to Canada preceded the mass migration of Irish fleeing the Great Hunger from the potato famine of the 1840s. The Porters were among the earliest European inhabitants in Medicine Hat and one of the first ranching families in the area. Their homestead was established in an area now known as Porter s Hill and the family ranched there, and on Gros Ventre Creek. The brothers later established a large ranch on Stoney Creek in 1900. In addition to ranching, the Porter brothers pursued a variety of business ventures including a freight hauling and livery business. Dick Porter was involved in the family s freight business, which resulted in him living in Dunmore and Lethbridge with his wife Christina before settling in Medicine Hat in 1893. Dick had purchased the two lots upon which the extant home was built from the CPR in 1892 and built the home circa 1894. The residence was constructed shortly after his return to Medicine Hat. As the family grew to include six children, the house was expanded through a large addition to the rear of the home in 1900. Dick and Christina Porter retained 2
ownership of the home until 1941, and remained in Medicine Hat until their passing in 1949 and 1940, respectively. Character-Defining Elements The key elements that define the heritage character of the Porter Residence include, but are not limited to its: - location at the intersection of 1 st Street SE and 2 nd Avenue SE west of Medicine Hat s historic downtown; - positioning setback from the street on a large corner lot; - form, scale, and massing as expressed by its: generally rectangular plan; one and one-half storey height with partial basement; front-gabled-hipped roof; saltbox roof; shed roof vestibule at rear entry; front-gabled wall dormer; one-storey bay with balcony above; - wooden-frame construction including: cobble stone foundation; lapped wooden siding; projecting eaves; - fenestration such as: single assembly rectangular window openings; double assembly rectangular window openings in gable; single assembly 15-over-1 single-hung wooden-sash windows with wooden-sash storm windows; - additional elements such as: internal red brick chimneys with corbelled caps; open wooden balcony balustrade with square wooden posts; curved wooden brackets on bay; wooden finial on front gable; and - interior elements including: fir floor, wooden baseboards and trim. 3
Historic Images Panoramic view of Medicine Hat with Porter Residence noted, circa 1904 (Esplanade 0634.0001). 4
Original wraparound verandah of residence, circa 1950 (Larson family). 5
Residence showing verandah removed, 1983 (Alberta Heritage Survey 82-R0211-15). Front façade with original verandah removed, but cladding and fenestration intact, 1983 ((Alberta Heritage Survey 82-R0211-14). 6
Side façade showing original home and 1900 rear addition, 1983 (Alberta Heritage Survey 82-R0211-17). Rear façade, 1983 (Alberta Heritage Survey 82-R0211-16). 7
Additional Images Front façade with new cladding, windows, and door (DLA 2017). Side façade showing original home and 1900 addition (DLA 2017). 8
Intact corbelled brick chimneys (DLA 2017). Side façade bay window with original windows and balcony balustrade intact. Former entry removed and clad over (DLA 2017). 9
Statement of Integrity Site Name Porter Residence Values Summary: The Porter Residence, constructed circa 1894, is valued as one of the city s earliest residences and representative of the initial settlement period in Medicine Hat (Theme Value Oasis in the Prairies: Settling Medicine Hat). The Porter Residence is also valued for its connection with its original owner and prominent early Medicine Hat pioneer, Richard (Dick) Cunningham Porter (People Value). Period of Significance: 1890s Chronology of Alterations: 1900 Addition to rear (south) façade of residence 1900-1905 Bay window added to east façade 1953 House split into two suites 1950-1983 Wraparound verandah removed. Steps and landing added to entries Shed roof added over side doors. Small gabled roof added over front entry 1983-2009 East façade entry removed and cladding installed over opening West façade original door and storm door removed Shed and gable roofs over entries removed 2003 Vinyl siding added Original wooden windows, storm window, and exterior trim removed. New vinyl windows installed Shutters added 2010 Fireplace added 2015-2017 Front door and storm door replaced. Metal screen door added 10
Aspects of Integrity: 1. LOCATION Yes No N/A Location is the place where an historic resource was constructed or the site where an historic activity or event occurred. 2. DESIGN Yes No N/A Design is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure and style of a resource. 3. ENVIRONMENT Yes No N/A Environment is the physical setting of an historic resource. Whereas location refers to a specific place, environment refers to the character of the place in which a resource played its historic role. 4. MATERIALS Yes No N/A Materials are the physical elements that were combined or deposited during a particular period(s) or time frame and in a particular pattern or configuration to form an historic resource. 5. WORKMANSHIP Yes No N/A Workmanship is the physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given period in history. It is important because it can provide information about technological practices and aesthetic principles. 6. ASSOCIATION Yes No N/A Association is a direct link between an historic resource and a significant historical theme, activity or event, or an institution or person. 11
Statement of Integrity: The Porter Residence maintains all the aspects of integrity necessary for it to convey its significance/heritage value. Overall the residence is in fair condition with its original form, scale, and massing intact. Alterations to the residence include the removal of the original wraparound verandah, vinyl siding added, and fenestration replaced. - Foundation: Cobble stone foundation. Parging on exterior. Past structural repairs have been carried out. - Cladding: Original wooden lapped siding and trim have been clad over in vinyl siding. - Roof: Good condition. No areas of curled, split, or missing shingles noted. No sags in roof ridge noted from ground inspections. - Roof elements: Gutters and downspouts present. Some gutters twisted. Soffits replaced and bargeboards clad over. - Windows: Original window opening sizes and locations intact. All windows and storm windows except those on bay (east façade) have been replaced. Paint failure present on intact wooden sash and wooden storm window on bay. Shutters have been added to windows. - Doors: Original doors and storm doors on north, south, and west façades have been replaced. Their size and location have been retained. The east entry has been boarded over and is no longer present. - Chimneys: Internal brick chimneys with corbelled caps are intact and in good condition. No missing brick or mortar loss was noted. Step flashing at base of chimneys present. Additional flue installed. - Other: New concrete steps and landings installed at entries with brick balustrades. 12
Criteria of Integrity Site Name: Porter Residence CRITERIA 1. The place is closely and meaningfully associated with one or more themes, events, periods of time, or cultural traditions considered important in the history of Medicine Hat. (Historic) 2. The place is strongly associated with the life or work of a person, group of persons, or institution(s) of importance in Medicine Hat s history. (Historic) 3. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or represents an important creative achievement in design, architecture, landscape architecture, planning, construction, materials, or technology. (Aesthetic, Architectural, Technical) 4. The community, or a social or cultural group within the community, is deeply attached to the place for social, cultural, or spiritual reasons. (Social, Cultural, Spiritual) 5. The place, by virtue of its location, its symbolism, or some other element, serves to communicate the heritage of Medicine Hat to a broad audience. (Landmark, Symbolism) 6. The place could yield important information that will contribute to the understanding of Medicine Hat s past. (Scientific, Educational) 7. The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Medicine Hat s cultural history. (Historic, Rarity) 8. The place is important in the historic urban development of the neighbourhood or city. (Context, Landscape, Urban Context, Group Value) Level of Heritage Significance N/A Low Moderate High Based on the above criteria, does the place merit inclusion on the Historic Resources Inventory? (at least 1 High or 4 Moderate ) Does the place possess exceptional/outstanding qualities for any of the criteria listed above? No No (result GRADE 2) Yes Yes (result GRADE 1) Does the place retain sufficient integrity to convey significance? If not, the place will not qualify. No Yes FINAL EVALUATION Date Approved by Heritage Resources Committee: September 12, 2017 GRADE 2 GRADE 1 13