HomeMy WebLinkAbout750 Whitevale (PLN 10-16)
CULTURAL HERITAGE PROPERTY
EVALUATION REPORT:
750 Whitevale Road, Pickering, Ontario
SUBMITTED TO:
The City of Pickering One The Esplanade Pickering, Ontario
L1V 6K7
November 10, 2015
SUBMITTED BY:
Laurie Smith Heritage
Consulting
4 Bullock Avenue Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1G8 613-863-8852 laurie@smithheritage.ca
In partnership with:
Amy Barnes Consulting
and
Chris Uchiyama Heritage
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction to the Site ............................................................................................................................. 1
2 Methodology .............................................................................................................................................. 4
3 Policy Framework ....................................................................................................................................... 5
4 Historical Context ....................................................................................................................................... 7
5 Architecture and Design ........................................................................................................................ 10
5.1 Stone House ......................................................................................................................................... 12
5.1.1 Interior ........................................................................................................................................... 15
5.1.2 Basement ..................................................................................................................................... 17
5.2 Garage ................................................................................................................................................. 18
5.3 Cultural Landscape ............................................................................................................................ 18
5.4 Archaeological Resources ................................................................................................................ 19
6 Contextual Background ......................................................................................................................... 21
7 Heritage Evaluation ................................................................................................................................. 22
7.1 Design or Physical Value ................................................................................................................... 22
7.2 Historic/Associative Value ................................................................................................................. 23
7.3 Contextual Value ................................................................................................................................ 24
7.4 Statement of Significance ................................................................................................................ 25
7.4.1 Description of Property .............................................................................................................. 25
7.4.2 Statement of Cultural Heritage Value .................................................................................... 25
7.4.3 Heritage Attributes ..................................................................................................................... 26
8 Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. 26
9 Sources ...................................................................................................................................................... 27
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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List of Figures
Figure 1: 750 Whitevale Road, Location and Boundary of Property Parcel (City of Pickering, 2015)
.............................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Figure 2: 750 Whitevale Road, Context (Base map source: Google Earth Pro, 2015) ......................... 2
Figure 3: Front elevation of 750 Whitevale Road (CU, 2015). ................................................................... 3
Figure 4: 750 Whitevale Road, Current Conditions (Base map source: Google Earth Pro, 2015) ..... 3
Figure 5: Gravestone of James White (Sr.) (Left) and James White (Jr.) (Right) (CU, 2015) ............... 9
Figure 6: 750 Whitevale Road, shown on an excerpt from the 1877 Map of Pickering Township
(Base map source: J.H. Beers & Co., 1877) .................................................................................................. 9
Figure 7: Rear (north) elevation of 750 Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015) .................................................... 10
Figure 8: West elevation of 750 Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015) ................................................................. 11
Figure 9: East elevation of 750 Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015) ................................................................... 11
Figure 10: Wooden garage at the rear of the property at 750 Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015) .......... 12
Figure 11: Detail of cornice, stonework and voussoirs. (CU, 2015) ........................................................ 13
Figure 12: West elevation with 6/6 windows, return eaves and stonework. (CU, 2015) .................... 14
Figure 13: Central door on front elevation with sidelights and transom. (CU, 2015) .......................... 14
Figure 14: Fireplace with brick hearth. (CU, 2015) .................................................................................... 15
Figure 15: Wooden stair balustrade with knob newels. (CU 2015) ........................................................ 15
Figure 16: Detail of window casing and paneled dado. (CU, 2015) .................................................... 16
Figure 17: Detail of wooden door casing on main floor. (CU, 2015) ..................................................... 16
Figure 18: Access to basement through cellar door (left) & interior (right). (CU, 2015) .................... 17
Figure 19: Detail of whitewashed stone basement and newer windows. (CU, 2015) ....................... 17
Figure 20: Detail of gravel driveway from house facing towards Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015) ...... 18
Figure 21: A creek runs through the property. (CU, 2015) ....................................................................... 19
List of Tables
Table 1: Factors Indicating Archaeological Potential or Lack of Archaeological Potential ........... 20
Table 2 - Evaluation of the Cultural Heritage Value or Interest of 750 Whitevale Road as Per
O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria 1. i., ii., and iii ................................................................................................................ 22
Table 3 - Evaluation of the Cultural Heritage Value or Interest of 750 Whitevale Road as Per
O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria 2. i., ii., and iii ................................................................................................................ 23
Table 4 - Evaluation of the Cultural Heritage Value or Interest of 750 Whitevale Road as Per
O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria 3. i., ii., and iii ................................................................................................................ 24
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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1 Introduction to the Site
Laurie Smith Heritage Consulting, in partnership with Amy Barnes Consulting and Chris Uchiyama
Heritage, was retained by the City of Pickering in April 2015 to undertake a Cultural Heritage
Property Evaluation of the property listed as 750 Whitevale Road in Pickering, Ontario.
The property, also referred to as the James White House, is located east of the hamlet of
Whitevale, on the north side of Whitevale Road, in the City of Pickering, Ontario. It is a
rectangular parcel, 3.2 hectares (7.92 acres) in area, comprising the southern part of Lot 28,
Concession V, Pickering Township (Figure 1). The property is surrounded by agricultural lands to
the north and east, a former19th century school house to the west (Whitevale School, 3215
Sideline 28), and the Whitevale Cemetery to the south (Figure 2).
There are two buildings on the property: a one-and-a-half-storey, stone house and a one-and-a-
half-storey wooden garage. The house follows the Georgian Classical style with five bays, a
wide, central door case with sidelights and transom, a side-gable roof, and Classical detailing
(Figure 3). It was built sometime between 1851 and 1861 by James White or his son William White.
The one-and-a-half-storey garage is a cumulative structure that may include components from
the 19th century.
The house and garage are surrounded by grassed lawn and mature coniferous and deciduous
trees. A gravel laneway runs north from Whitevale Road to the outbuilding (Figure 4). The
farmhouse is well setback from Whitevale Road and is enclosed in a mature tree covering. A
small, creek runs through the trees east of the house and driveway (Figure 1).
The property is currently owned by the Province of Ontario and is managed by Ontario
Infrastructure and Lands Corporation (“OILC”). It is listed in the City of Pickering Municipal
Heritage Register (2008) and is included in the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District, which
was designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act in 1993 (By-law 4074-92, 1993).
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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Figure 1: 750 Whitevale Road, Location and Boundary of Property Parcel (City of Pickering, 2015)
Figure 2: 750 Whitevale Road, Context (Base map source: Google Earth Pro, 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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Figure 3: Front elevation of 750 Whitevale Road (CU, 2015).
Figure 4: 750 Whitevale Road, Current Conditions (Base map source: Google Earth Pro, 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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2 Methodology
This cultural heritage evaluation was conducted using the criteria in O.Reg. 9/06 under the
Ontario Heritage Act. The evaluation was based on information contained in previous reports on
the site, additional historical research, and a site visit of the property. The City of Pickering
excluded public and stakeholder consultation from the consultant contract, except for the
purposes of historical research.
The heritage value of the property has previously been examined in the following reports (listed
chronologically):
• Unterman McPhail Heritage Resource Consultants, The Hamlet of Whitevale Heritage
Conservation District Study: Background Report. Prepared for the Town of Pickering,
August 1989.
• Hough, Stansbury, Woodland, Naylor, Dance Limited – Prime Consultants, D.R. Poulton &
Associates – Archaeological Assessments and Excavations, André Scheinman – Heritage
Preservation Consultant, Seaton Cultural Heritage Resources Assessment: Technical
Appendix. Report prepared for the Seaton Interim Planning Team, Ministry of Municipal
Affairs and Housing, July 1994.
• André Scheinman, Seaton Built Heritage Assessment. Prepared for the North Pickering
Land Exchange Team, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Planning and
Development Division, November 2004.
• Contentworks Inc., Thematic Study and Phase 1 Evaluation of ORC Properties in
Pickering. Prepared for Ontario Realty Corporation, March 2009.
• Contentworks Inc., Phase II Evaluation of Residences on Whitevale Road, Pickering.
Report prepared for the Ontario Realty Corporation, March 2009.
• Bray Heritage, Seaton Neighbourhood Planning Background Report: Whitevale Road
Heritage Corridor Review. Report prepared for the City of Pickering, May 2010.
Sources for additional historical research are noted in the “Sources” section at the end of this
document.
An exterior and interior site visit was undertaken on June 16th by Amy Barnes, M.A. and Chris
Uchiyama, M.A. The current tenant provided access.
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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3 Policy Framework
In Ontario, the Provincial Policy Statement 2014 (“PPS 2014”), issued under s. 3 of the Planning
Act, provides policy direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and
development.1 Land use planning decisions made by municipalities, planning boards, the
Province, or a commission or agency of the government must be consistent with the PPS 2014.2
The PPS 2014 provides that “significant built heritage resources and significant cultural heritage
landscapes shall be conserved” and “development and site alteration shall not be permitted on
lands containing archaeological resources or areas of archaeological potential unless
significant archaeological resources have been conserved”.3 “Significant” means “resources
that have been determined to have cultural heritage value or interest for the important
contribution they make to our understanding of the history of a place, an event, or a people.”4
These resources and landscapes are conserved through their “identification, protection,
management and use…..in a manner that ensures their cultural heritage value or interest is
retained under the Ontario Heritage Act.”5
Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (“OHA”) permits municipalities to designate individual
properties that are of cultural heritage value or interest, based on criteria set out in Ont. Reg.
9/06.6 Designation is done by by-law and includes a description of the property and a statement
explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of the property and a description of the
heritage attributes of the property. Part V of the OHA permits municipalities to designate
heritage conservation districts consisting of multiple properties, and adopt a district plan for
managing change.7 A property that is included in an area designated as a heritage
conservation district may subsequently be individually designated under Part IV.8 Municipalities
must keep a register of property that is of cultural heritage value or interest. In addition to
designated properties, the register may include other property that the municipality believes to
be of cultural heritage value or interest.9 The OHA provides processes for a municipality to
approve proposed alterations, demolition or removal of resources on designated properties or
within a heritage conservation district, and requires notice be given to a municipality for
proposed alterations, demolition or removal of resources on non-designated properties listed on
the register.10
Part IV OHA (individual property designation by municipalities) and Part V OHA (heritage
conservation district designation) do not apply to property that is owned by the provincial
1 PPS 2014, Part I: Preamble.
2 PPS 2014, Part III: How to Read the Provincial Policy Statement.
3 PPS 2014, s. 2.6.1 and 2.6.2.
4 PPS 2014, s. 6.0, Definitions, at p. 49.
5 PPS 2014, s. 6.0, Definitions, at p. 40.
6 OHA, Part IV, s. 29.
7 OHA, ss. 41 and 41.1.
8 OHA, s. 41(2).
9 OHA, ss. 27(1.1) and (1.2).
10 OHA, ss. 27 (3), 33, 34 and 42.
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government or by a prescribed public body.11 OILC is a prescribed public body.12 However,
municipalities are not prevented from including properties owned by the provincial government
or a prescribed public body in the municipal register of non-designated properties.13
Heritage properties owned or occupied by the provincial government or prescribed public
bodies are subject to the Standards & Guidelines for Conservation of Provincial Heritage
Properties (“the provincial S&Gs”), a set of guidelines issued by the Minister of Tourism, Culture
and Sport in 2010.14 The provincial S&Gs require provincial ministries and agencies to establish
and maintain a cultural heritage conservation policy and procedures to identify, manage and
conserve provincial heritage properties.15 Decisions affecting a provincial heritage property
must consider its cultural heritage value and mitigate negative impacts.16 If a provincial heritage
property is to leave government ownership, best efforts should be made to ensure its cultural
heritage value is protected through designation or easement; demolition or removal should be
considered only as a last resort. OILC has followed an internal heritage management process
since 2007. The property at 750 Whitevale was recommended as an ORC Heritage Property in
the 2009 Phase II report prepared by Contentworks Inc. for ORC.
The OHA provides that if a property owned by the provincial government or a prescribed public
body is included in a designated heritage conservation district, and there is a conflict between
a provision of the provincial S&Gs and a provision in Part V as they apply to that property, the
provision in Part V prevails.17
The City of Pickering has adopted a policy to respect and conserve cultural heritage resources
as part of the City of Pickering Official Plan (Edition 6).18 City Council shall identify important
cultural heritage resources from all time periods, and prevent the demolition, destruction or
inappropriate alteration of important cultural heritage resources to the extent possible (s. 8.2).
City Council shall maintain an inventory of heritage resources designated or worthy of
designation under the OHA (s. 8.7). City Council shall encourage the preservation or excavation
of important archaeological sites (s. 8.10). Amendment 22 to the Pickering Official Plan,
approved by the Ontario Municipal Board in 2013, specifically provides that the Seaton Urban
Area shall be planned as a sustainable community, based on seven key sustainability principles,
including to “protect cultural heritage resources and archaeological resources”.
11 OHA ss. 25.2 (2), 26.1 (1) and 39.1.1(1).
12 OHA, Ont. Reg. 157/10.
13 OHA, s. 26.1(3).
14 The Provincial S&Gs are available online at
http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/publications/Standards_Conservation.pdf
15 S&G, s. A.2, A.2 and A.5.
16 S&G, s. A.3
17 OHA, s. 39.1.1(2).
18 City of Pickering Official Plan (Edition 6), Chapter Eight – Cultural Heritage.
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4 Historical Context
750 Whitevale Road is located east of the hamlet of Whitevale, on the south eastern part of Lot
28, Concession V, Pickering Township.
The township was first surveyed in 1797 and Crown patents were issued shortly afterwards. The
land around Whitevale was not settled until the early 1820s, when United Empire Loyalist John
Major (1768-1831) built a saw mill on the banks of West Duffins Creek. A small settlement, known
as Major Mills or Majorville, began to take shape along Concession V.
In 1843, Ira White purchased Major’s sawmill and put his son, Truman P. White in charge of
operations.19 An ambitious industrialist, T.P. White further leveraged the power of the West Duffins
Creek and developed the milling site to include a flour mill. During the 1850s and 1860s, the
settlement grew into an industrial centre with the addition of: a planing mill (1866); a stave and
heading factory, T.P. White’s wool factory (1867); a sash and door factory; a wagon and steam
carriage factory; and the P.R. Hoover and Co. cheese factory. Commercial enterprises
included: a general store; a butcher shop; Major Hotel; and a tinsmith shop. Anticipating the
growth of the community, T.P. White registered two survey plans, one in 1857 and an amended
plan in 1860. The 1869 Ontario Gazetteer and Directory indicates that hamlet’s population was
approximately 300 that year. John Shier’s 1870 plan of subdivision was the first time that
“Whitevale” was used as the name of the community, in honour of T.P. White; although the mills
continued to be called “Majors Mills.”
Lot 28, Concession V, comprising 200 acres, was patented to King’s College in 1828. King’s
College was an Anglican college established by Royal Charter in 1827; it later became the
University of Toronto.20 James White purchased the 100 acres comprising the south half of Lot 28
in August 1853. In January 1854, he transferred the southeastern quarter (50 acres) of Lot 28 to his
son William Thomas White. When James died at the end of that year, the remaining
southwestern quarter (50 acres) was left to James’ youngest son John. John quickly sold it to his
brother William, giving him ownership of all 100 acres. The 1877 map of Pickering shows “W.
White” as owner of the entire 100 acres, less a one-acre parcel which William had donated in
1864 for use as a Whitevale School.21 William’s son, Albert Edward White, inherited the 100-acre
parcel from his father in 1905.22 Albert sold the parcel to Mary O’Connor. After Mary’s death, the
property was sold again through Power of Sale. It was purchased in 1930 by John A. White,
Albert’s cousin, thereby returning it to White family ownership.23 John died in 1941, and his widow
19 Unterman McPhail, 1989: 2-2.
20 Friedland, pp. 4, 31, 143, 156, 313, 376, 593–6.
21 “Map of Pickering Township,” in J.H. Beers & Co., Historical Atlas of the Ontario County, Ont.,
(Toronto: 1877), p. 19.
22 Wood, p. 308. Albert lived in the house in 1910. He had a leasing agreement with Mary Theresa O’Connor from 1925-1930.
23 John A. White (1861-1941) was the son of James Talmage White (1819-1908) and Elizabeth
Pugh (1829-1918), and nephew to William Thomas White (1823-1904).
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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Mary Ann White sold the property in 1942 to James Edward Stephens, not a member of the
White family.24 The property was acquired by the provincial government in 1972.
The one-and-a-half-storey, five-bay stone house was likely built sometime in the late 1850s. It is
absent from the 1851 census but noted on the 1861 census.25 If built before 1855, it was built for
James White; if built after 1855, it was built for William White. The Municipal Heritage Register
(2008) provides a date of construction of 1861 and refers to the house as “the James White
House”. Around the same time (c.1860), William Thomas’s sister Emma and her husband William
Major built a one-and-a-half-storey, five-bay stone house on Lot 26, Concession V (c.1860,
extant, 940 Whitevale Road).
James White (1775-1855) was an English emigrant who arrived in Pickering Township in 1833 with
his wife Mary (1784-1864) and three children.26 He leased 100 acres elsewhere in the township
before moving to Lot 28.27 The 1851 census shows that James (aged 76) his wife Mary and three
children (William, Elizabeth and John) were already living in a log house on Lot 28.28 The 1851
agricultural census records James White farming a combined total of 150 acres on Lot 28,
Concession IV and Lot 28, Concession V: 70 under cultivation (60 for crops and 10 for pasture),
and 30 acres wooded or wild.29 There is no known relationship between James White and
Whitevale’s namesakes Truman and Ira White. James White is buried in Whitevale Cemetery.
James Talmage White (1819-1908)30 emigrated from England with his parents and arrived in
Pickering Township in 1833.31 He lived on Lot 27, Concession V with his wife Elizabeth Pugh (1829-
1918)32 and they had eight children.33
William Thomas White (1821-1904) emigrated from England to Pickering as a child.3435 William
married Mary Ann Pugh (1834-1902) and had several more children, one of whom was Albert
Edward White (1878-1956). William lived in the stone house on Lot 28 until his death in 1904. In
24 Mary Ann White sold the property for $4600. The relationship between Mary Ann White and Albert Edward White is not known.
25 Scheinman, 2004.
26 James and Mary had eight children, four of whom settled in Pickering Township. James
Talmage, William Thomas and Emma emigrated with their parents from England. John was born
in Pickering Township.
27 Wood, p. 308; and LRO #40. The leased land was on Lot 18, Concession V.
28 Year: 1851; Census.
29 1851; Census.
30 Wood, p. 308.
31 1901 Census.
32 Wood, p. 308. Elizabeth Pugh was the daughter of Hugh Pugh, who is associated with the farmstead at 3185 Sideline 26.
33 Elizabeth (1852-1922), George (1853-1951), Sarah (1855-1928), Eliza (1857- 1942), Edward (1858-
1945), John (1861-1941), Mary (1863-1938) and Ella (1865-1924).
34 Wood, 308.
35 There is some evidence to suggest that William returned to England around 1842, married
Catherine Taylor and had several children before returning to Pickering and marrying Mary Ann
Pugh.1861 England Census.
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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1864 he transferred one acre to the Trustees of School Section No. 8 to build the Whitevale
School (extant at 3215 Sideline 28).
Figure 5: Gravestone of James White (Sr.) (Left) and James White (Jr.) (Right) (CU, 2015)
Figure 6: 750 Whitevale Road, shown on an excerpt from the 1877 Map of Pickering Township (Base map source: J.H. Beers & Co., 1877)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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5 Architecture and Design
There are two buildings on the property: a one-and-a–half-storey, stone house built in the
Georgian Classical style between 1851 and 1861; and a separate, wood-frame garage.
Figure 7: Rear (north) elevation of 750 Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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Figure 8: West elevation of 750 Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015)
Figure 9: East elevation of 750 Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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Figure 10: Wooden garage at the rear of the property at 750 Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015)
5.1 Stone House
The one-and-a-half-storey, stone house is built in the Georgian Classical style, with a five-bay
façade, symmetrically arranged openings, and Classical detailing. It follows a rectangular plan
with a long façade. The medium-pitch, end-gable roof has overhanging eaves, eave returns
and a wide frieze. Interior red brick chimneys are located at each gable end.
The house is built of randomly coursed, granite and rubble stone. More detail is given to the even
and linear placement of stones on the façade, whereas the eastern, western elevations have
smaller stones and more visible mortar. The transition between even coursing and rough coursing
is evident on the side elevations. Large stone quoins are placed at all four corners and stone
voussoirs are set above openings.
Openings are flat-arched and symmetrically arranged on all elevations. The five-bay façade
features a wide, central door case flanked by two windows on each side; the three-bay, rear
elevation features a single, central door flanked by one window on each side. The façade door
case includes a tri-partite transom and sidelights with glazed and paneled sections. The side
elevations feature two windows on each storey. In general, windows are double-sash, 6/6
wooden units with wooden lug sills. A cellar door on the rear (north) elevation provides access to
the basement.
The house has been altered by: the addition of exterior storm units to the central door, transom
and sidelights; the replacement of stone voussoirs by single-stretcher, brick voussoirs on the west
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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(second storey) and rear (south) elevations; the construction of a wooden porch at the rear
entrance; the replacement of at least one window on the east elevation; and the insertion of
shutters on façade windows.
The house follows the Georgian Classical or Loyalist style which was popular in Upper Canada in
the first half of the 19th century. The style is characterized by symmetry, a rectangular form, a
centre-hall plan, a low-pitched roof, a wide front door case with transom and sidelights, and
Classical details such as friezes below the eaves, pedimented frontispieces, eave returns, and
pilastered corners. Other examples of five-bay, Georgian-style, stone houses in the immediate
area include 615 Whitevale , 940 Whitevale Road and 1130 Whitevale Road, all of which include
a wide-central door case and sidelights, a low-to-medium-pitched roof, and heavily mortared,
randomly coursed fieldstone with large stone quoins, in a manner similar to 750 Whitevale Road
(the façade of 940 Whitevale is evenly coursed).
Figure 11: Detail of cornice, stonework and voussoirs. (CU, 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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Figure 12: West elevation with 6/6 windows, return eaves and stonework. (CU, 2015)
Figure 13: Central door on front elevation with sidelights and transom. (CU, 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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5.1.1 Interior The interior follows a centre-hall plan and has 12-foot ceilings on the main floor. It retains many
early or original wood finishes and fixtures, including: a stair balustrade with knob newels; a
wooden floor (concealed beneath laminate or tile); window casings with deep-set sills and
paneled dado; 12-inch baseboards; and door casings with decorative trim. A fireplace with
brick hearth may be a later but sympathetic addition.
Figure 14: Fireplace with brick hearth. (CU, 2015)
Figure 15: Wooden stair balustrade with knob newels. (CU 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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Figure 16: Detail of window casing and paneled dado. (CU, 2015)
Figure 17: Detail of wooden door casing on main floor. (CU, 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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5.1.2 Basement The full basement is accessed from the exterior cellar door or through interior stairs. The
whitewashed, stone foundation, and original plank flooring of the main level are both visible
from the basement.
Figure 18: Access to basement through cellar door (left) & interior (right). (CU, 2015)
Figure 19: Detail of whitewashed stone basement and newer windows. (CU, 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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5.2 Garage
The garage is a one-and–half-storey, wooden structure with a gable roof. The double-width door
slides open to permit entry. Windows are located in the gable end. The roof is covered with a
thick plastic tarpaulin. Components of the interior, such as hand-hewn timbers and plank
flooring, may date to the 19th century. The building does not belong to any discernable
functional type or style and has likely been much altered from its original configuration.
5.3 Cultural Landscape
The house is surrounded by a grassed lawn to the north and south and encircled by mature
coniferous and deciduous trees. A long graveled laneway runs north from Whitevale Road along
the eastern side of the house, leading to the garage (Figure 4). The house is well set back from
Whitevale Road, and is concealed from view behind trees. An intermittent creek runs through
the property to the east of the house and gravel driveway.
Figure 20: Detail of gravel driveway from house facing towards Whitevale Road. (CU, 2015)
Cultural Heritage Property Evaluation Report Prepared for The City of Pickering 750 Whitevale Road, Pickering ON November 10, 2015
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Figure 21: A creek runs through the property. (CU, 2015)
5.4 Archaeological Resources
Although the archaeological potential of the general area in and around the property is well
documented36 the archaeological potential of the property, itself, will be addressed in this
section.
Archaeological potential determination is based on a number of factors related to the
attractiveness of a site for either temporary or permanent human occupation. Archaeological
features that are considered when determining potential are generally related to basic
necessities of survival (e.g., proximity to water), access to transportation (e.g., historic
transportation routes, trails, and navigable watercourses), or access to resources (e.g., raw
materials for tool making or construction, or food resources).
The Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport lists in its 2010 Standards and Guidelines for
Consultant Archaeologists37 a series of features that are considered, in Ontario, to be related to
archaeological potential, or removal of archaeological potential as summarised in Table 1.
36 See Hough Stansbury Woodland Naylor Dance Limited et. al., 1994 and Scheinman, 2004 for an overview of archaeological research in the area.
37 Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Standards and Guideline for Consultant Archaeologists.
2011: 17-18.
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Table 1: Factors Indicating Archaeological Potential or Lack of Archaeological Potential
Archaeological Feature 750 Whitevale Rd. (y/n)
Previously identified archaeological sites Y
Water sources:
Primary water sources (lakes, rivers, streams, creeks) Y
Secondary water sources (intermittent streams, creeks,
marshes) Y
Features indicating past water sources (e.g., glacial lake
shorelines, relic river or stream channels) N
Accessible or inaccessible shoreline N
Elevated topography (e.g. eskers, drumlins, plateau) N
Pockets of well-drained sandy soil, especially near areas of heavy
soil or rocky ground Not assessed
Distinctive land formations that might have been special or
spiritual places such as waterfalls, rock outcrops, caverns, mounds
and promontories and their bases.
N
Resource areas:
Food or medicinal plants Not assessed
Scarce raw materials N
Early Euro-Canadian industry (e.g., fur trade, logging, prospecting, mining) N
Areas of early Euro-Canadian settlement Y
Early historical transportation routes Y
Property listed on a municipal register or designated under the
Ontario Heritage Act or that is a federal, provincial or municipal
historic landmark or site
Y
Property that local histories or informants have identified with
possible archaeological sites, historical events, activities, or occupants N
Archaeological potential can be determined not to be present if the site has been subject to modern extensive and deep land
alterations such as: quarrying; sewage and infrastructure
development; building footprints; or major landscaping involving
grading.
N
Based on a review of these factors, the property at 750 Whitevale Road exhibits archaeological
potential.
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6 Contextual Background
The property at 750 Whitevale Road is located east of the hamlet of Whitevale, on the north side
of Whitevale Road. The property is surrounded by groves of trees on all sides and is not visible
from the road. Agricultural lands lie to the north and east and the Whitevale School is located
immediately west, although separated by trees. The Whitevale Cemetery, established in 1832
on land donated by Henry Major, is situated on the south side of Whitevale Road, about 130
meters to the east (Figure 2). James White, his son James Talmage White, and his daughter-on-
law Elizabeth Pugh are buried at the cemetery. 750 Whitevale Road is part of the Whitevale
Heritage Conservation District and has historical links with other resources in the HCD, including
the Whitevale School House and the Whitevale Cemetery. The property reinforces the
character of the HCD, described as follows:
The hamlet of Whitevale is located in a scenic river valley along the banks of
West Duffins Creek in the City of Pickering. Dominated by its rural setting and
modest vernacular buildings, the hamlet has not changed significantly in
character since the late nineteenth century. It had a small but thriving
industrial centre until the 1870's, when a disastrous fire effectively destroyed
most of the mill buildings except for the feed mill. With the depopulation of
rural Ontario during the late 1800s and early 1900s Whitevale's role as a small
service centre for the local farming community waned, resulting in the
complete disappearance of its commercial enterprises on Main Street with
the exception of the general store and the mill.
The building style in Whitevale is a mixture of typical rural Ontario vernacular
architecture combined with Victorian influences and materials in common
usage at the time of construction. The result is a distinctive cohesiveness of
scale, mass, decorative detailing and building materials. Although many
individual buildings and properties have been altered over the decades, the
overall nineteenth century village character has been retained.
Most of the existing nineteenth century buildings have wood frame structures,
and siding ranging from clapboard, shiplap to vertical board and batten. The
majority of structures are one-and-a-half storeys in height with a three bay
front facade and centre gable.
The rural character of Whitevale, with its narrow tree-lined streets, scenic
views over the surrounding agricultural lands and the West Duffins Creek and
its steep river valley, provides a distinctive context and setting for its buildings.
The community has a rich and diverse character within a relatively small
area. Archaeological remains located in and around Whitevale attest to its
enduring attractiveness as a settlement area.38
38 City of Pickering. Whitevale Heritage Conservation District Guide, 2013: 5.
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More specifically, 750 Whitevale Road reinforces the rural and historic nature of the Whitevale
Road corridor within the Whitevale HCD.
7 Heritage Evaluation
The property and associated resources have been evaluated for Cultural Heritage Value or
Interest (CHVI) under Ontario Regulation 9/06 Criteria for Determining Cultural Heritage Value or
Interest under the Ontario Heritage Act. A summary of the evaluation based on the criteria is
presented in Tables 2, 3 and 4 below.
7.1 Design or Physical Value
The one-and-a-half-storey, stone house is a good representative example of the Georgian
Classical or Loyalist style, which was popular in Upper Canada from 1750 to 1850. Its five-bay
façade, symmetrically arranged openings, centre-hall plan, medium-pitch side-gable roof,
Classical detailing and central door case with sidelights and transom are all features of the style.
The house provides a good illustration of local stone construction in the 1850s, including the use
of local fieldstone, the even-coursed treatment of the façade, quoins at corners, voussoirs over
openings and rough-coursed rubble stone at the rear and side elevations.
Table 2 - Evaluation of the Cultural Heritage Value or Interest of 750 Whitevale Road as Per O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria 1. i., ii., and iii
O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria Criteria Met (y/n) Justification
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,
Y
The house is a representative example of the Georgian Classical or Loyalist style which was
popular in Upper Canada from 1750 to 1850. Its
five-bay façade, symmetrically arranged
openings, centre-hall plan, medium-pitch side-gable roof, Classical detailing and central door
case with sidelights and transom are all
features of the style.
The house provides a good illustration of local stone construction in the 1850s, including the
use of local fieldstone, the even-coursed
treatment of the façade, quoins at corners,
voussoirs over openings and rough-coursed rubble stone at the rear and side elevations
ii. displays a high degree of craftsmanship or
artistic merit, or
N The property does not display a high degree of
craftsmanship or artistic merit.
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O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria Criteria Met (y/n) Justification
iii. demonstrates a high
degree of technical or scientific achievement. N The property does not demonstrate a high
degree of technical or scientific achievement.
The property at 750 Whitevale Road meets the criteria for design or physical value under O.Reg.
9/06.
7.2 Historic/Associative Value
The property at 750 Whitevale Road is associated with the 19th century settlement of the
Whitevale area and the development of local agriculture. The house was built sometime
between 1851 and 1861 by either James White or his son William White, who were among the
early farmers in the Whitevale area. Members of the White family continued to live here for more
than 80 years, until 1942.
750 Whitevale Road also exhibits archaeological potential, given its proximity to a number of
archaeological features outlined in the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports Standards
and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists,39 including: a secondary water course, elevated
topography, known pre-contact and Euro-Canadian archaeological sites, an early historical
transportation route, and as a property listed on the Municipal Heritage Register (2008) and
designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. The property has also not undergone any
recent or extensive ground disturbances which might indicate the removal of archaeological
potential. As a result, the property has the potential to yield information that contributes to an
understanding of a community or culture.
Table 3 - Evaluation of the Cultural Heritage Value or Interest of 750 Whitevale Road
as Per O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria 2. i., ii., and iii
O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria Criteria Met (y/n) Justification
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,
Y
The property is associated with the 19th century
settlement of the Whitevale area and the development of local agriculture. The house
was built between 1851 and 1861 by either
James White or his son William White. Members
of the White family continued to live here for more than 80 years, until 1942.
ii. yields, or has the potential to yield Y Given that the property surrounding the farmhouse and carriage shed has not been
39 Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Standards and Guideline for Consultant Archaeologists.
2011: 17-18.
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O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria Criteria Met (y/n) Justification
information that
contributes to an understanding of a community or culture,
or
recently and significantly altered, it has the
potential to yield information that contributes to the understanding of the community or a pre-contact culture.
iii. demonstrates or
reflects the work or
ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer
or theorist who is
significant to a
community.
N Designer or builder unknown.
The property at 750 Whitevale Road meets the criteria for historical or associative value under
O.Reg. 9/06.
7.3 Contextual Value
The property is located within the Whitevale HCD and close to the eastern entrance of the
district. Its rural nature and Georgian Classical style are important in defining and maintaining
and the heritage character of the district and in supporting the rural nature of the Whitevale
Road corridor within the HCD.
The property is visually and historically linked with the Whitevale School and the Whitevale
Cemetery at the eastern end of the HCD.
Table 4 - Evaluation of the Cultural Heritage Value or Interest of 750 Whitevale Road as Per O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria 3. i., ii., and iii
O.Reg. 9/06 Criteria Criteria Met (y/n) Justification
3. The property has
contextual value because it,
i. is important in
defining, maintaining or supporting the
character of an area,
Y
Because of its location at the eastern entrance
to the district, and its Georgian style architecture it is important in defining and
maintaining the character of the Whitevale
Road Corridor and the Whitevale HCD.
ii. is physically,
functionally, visually or historically linked to its
surroundings, or
Y
The property is historically linked to the
Whitevale School and the Whitevale Cemetery.
iii. is a landmark. N 750 Whitevale Road is not a landmark.
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The property at 750 Whitevale Road meets the criteria for contextual value under O.Reg. 9/06.
7.4 Statement of Significance
7.4.1 Description of Property
750 Whitevale Road is located east of the hamlet of Whitevale, on the north side of Whitevale
Road in the City of Pickering, Ontario. It is a rectangular parcel, 3.2 hectares (7.92 acres) in area,
comprising the southern part of Lot 28, Concession V, Pickering Township. The property is
surrounded by agricultural lands to the north and east, a former 19th century school house to the
west, and the Whitevale Cemetery to the south.
The key resource on the property is a one-and-a-half storey, stone house built in the Georgian
Classical style with a five-bay façade, symmetrically arranged openings, a centre-hall plan, a
side-gable roof, Classical detailing and a wide central door case with sidelights and transom.
The house was built between 1851 and 1861 by James White or his son William.
The wooden garage on the property has 19th century components but has been much altered
and does not contribute to heritage value.
The property is currently listed in the City of Pickering Municipal Heritage Register (2008) and is
within the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District, which was designated under Part V of the
Ontario Heritage Act in 1993 (By-law 4074-92).
The property is owned the Province of Ontario and managed by Ontario Infrastructure and
Lands Corporation.
7.4.2 Statement of Cultural Heritage Value
The house at 750 Whitevale Road is a representative example of the Georgian Classical or
Loyalist style, which was popular in Upper Canada from 1750 to 1850 and includes many
features of the style.
The house is a representative example of local stone construction in the 1850s, including the use
of local fieldstone, the even-coursed treatment of the façade, quoins at corners, voussoirs over
openings and rough-coursed rubble stone at the rear and side elevations.
The property is associated with the 19th century settlement of the Whitevale area and the
development of local agriculture. The house was built between 1851 and 1861 by James White
or his son William, and members of the White family lived here for more than 80 years until 1942.
Given that the property surrounding the farmhouse and garage shed has not been recently and
significantly altered, it has the potential to yield information that contributes to the
understanding of the community or a pre-contact culture.
Because of its location at the eastern entrance to the Whitevale Heritage Conservation District,
and its Georgian Classical style, the property is important in defining and maintaining the
heritage character of the district and the character of the Whitevale Road corridor within the
district.
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The property is historically linked to other resources within the HCD, including the former
Whitevale School, which was built on land donated by William White, and the Whitevale
Cemetery in which James and other family members are buried.
7.4.3 Heritage Attributes The heritage attribute essential to the cultural heritage value of the property is the one-and-a-
half-storey, stone house.
Key elements of the stone house include:
• its form and proportions, including the one-and–a-half-storey height and rectangular
plan;
• its Georgian Classical style, including: medium-pitch, gable roof; symmetrically arranged
openings; centre-hall plan; five-bay façade; ; Classical detailing; and wide, central door
case with side lights and transom;
• its Classical detailing including: the wide, decorative frieze, and eave returns;
• its stone construction using local fieldstone, including: even-coursed blocks on the
façade, transitioning to rough-coursed rubble stone on the side and rear elevations;
voussoirs over openings; and large quoins at corners;
• brick chimneys;
• surviving 6/6 double-hung window sash;
• surviving wood finishes and fixtures, including: the stair balustrade with knob newels;
window casings with deep-set sills and paneled dado; baseboards; door casings; and
plank floors.
8 Recommendations
As outlined above, the property at 750 Whitevale Road meets the criteria for determining cultural
heritage value or interest under Ontario Regulation 9/06; specifically criteria 1.i, 2.i, 2.ii, 3.i. and 3.ii.
While the property remains in Crown ownership, the municipality should consider updating the
property listing on the Pickering Heritage Registry to include the Statement of Significance. The
results of this evaluation should be shared with the province, along with a request that the property
be managed in compliance with the Standards & Guidelines for Conservation of Provincial
Heritage Properties.
If the property passes out of Crown ownership, the municipality should consider individual
designation of the property under S. 29 OHA. The municipality may decide as a matter of policy not
to include the interior features of the house in any s.29 designation.
As outlined above, the property exhibits archaeological potential. Future cultural heritage policy
decisions regarding this property should consider this potential for previously undiscovered
archaeological sites or resources and a Stages 1 and 2 Archaeological Assessment should be
carried out by a licenced professional archaeologist prior to any below-grade construction
activities.
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