Heritage property
144 Front St
144 Front St, Oakville, built in 1829, is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act by By-law 1978-006 and sits in the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District.
History
Merrick Thomas House. A fine example of an early settler's second house, which would have replaced the log cabins often built by settlers. It was moved to Lakeside Park in 1955. Originally a storage site for cordwood used on lake steamers, this land has been a public park since 1877 when it was traded to the Town by George K. Chisholm, the first mayor, in exchange for the permanent closing of Front and Water Streets where they ran into the harbour. In 1896 the park was laid out, trees were planted and the land was sloped down to the beach. Heavy erosion has since caused the existing high bank on the lakeshore. Designated individually and as part of the Oakville Harbour Cultural Heritage Landscape.
Heritage attributes
The schoolhouse today remains in its original form, excluding the front frame portico which was removed, possibly when the building became a residence. Despite 20th century alterations, the gable-roofed rectangular form of the building remains, including its red brick walls, stone foundation and original fenestration. The key elements that reinforce the building’s role as a one-room schoolhouse have endured and continue to support the property’s cultural heritage value.
What the status means
Both individually designated under Part IV and inside a Part V district.
Sources
Sources
Town of Oakville
By-law 1978-006Town of Oakville
Heritage Properties (open data layer)Town of Oakville
Heritage Districts and Properties
The OakvilleIQ Brief
Heritage designations and district changes
What changes on the Town's heritage register, once a week.