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The elegant old homes of Saint
John, New Brunswick
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Below are a few samples of hand
drawn sketches
of some of the sites seen on the Victorian
Stroll.
Barlow's corner was originally granted to James
Putnam, who had studied law with John Adams in Boston and was appointed
Assistant Supreme Court Judge in 1784. Mr. Putnam erected a splendid
three-storey building with a store on the lower floor. Mr. Putnam died and the
lot was sold to Ezekiel Barlow, who had to comply with some unusual terms of
sale. The price was $2,000 in Mexician Silver Dollars, to be counted in coin
before Ward Chipman the lawyer. To the great merriment of the public, Mr.
Barlow procured a wheel-barrow and pushed his considerable load up Chipman Hill
to the lawyer's office.
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The entrance to #2 Mecklenberg Street. This
imposing home was built in the 1890's by another Saint John ship owner, Robert
Thompson, of William Thompson and Company. Thompson was also the Imperial
German Consul at the time. Note the ornately carved door and entranceway and
the terra cotta family crest on the side of the building with the latin motto,
loosely translated, "Patience Conquers." Beautiful stained glass windows can
also be seen, particularly at night.
112 Leinster Street, a rather delightful
structure, this house is also Queen Anne style, built in 1904 for Walter Frink,
the manager of the Western Assurance Company.
37 Micklenberg Street, built immediately
following the Great Fire, this second Empire structure has been owned
throughout its life by only three families. Like most Second Empire roofs, this
one is built of slate shingles, most likely the originals.
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218 King Street East, William Peters was a man
who enjoyed a King St. address. He lived in two other homes on the street
before building this home in 1885. Mr. Peters is listed in the City directories
of the day as being an employee of C.H. Peters and Sons, commission merchants
and manufacturers of leather goods. Note the face carved above the front door
and others carved below the cornices.
60 Pitt Street, this richly detailed, gaily
decorated house also predates the Great fire. The ornate wood carving is
typical of the high quality craftsmanship which was available from wood carvers
who applied their talents with equal skill to both ships and
buildings.
192 and 196 King St., looking at these two
houses today, one would hardly believe they were built as a matched pair in
1878. Unfortunately, 196 was altered and the original charm destroyed. The
homes were built for Thomas McAvity and his son Thomas Jr., of Thomas McAvity
and Sons, brass Founders and Hardware Merchants. The firm was established in
1834 as a hardware and general merchandise company. In 1863, at the height of
the wood ship building industry in the City, the firm expanded and established
a brass foundry to supply ship fixtures. The firm grew to international renown
as a foundry by the turn of the century, but closed its doors in 1977, shutting
down the 10-acre plant.
166 - 168 King Street, not many buildings have
the distinction of being featured in an architectural journal. In 1878, the
year this structure was built, its plans were featured in an issue of the
American Architect and Building news. The house was designed by the relatively
unknown architects Henry Clark and John Briggs. The first occupants, the
Taylor's and Dearborns, had the first letters of their respective family names
carved above the doorways for posterity.
If you would like to learn more about Saint John's past, be sure to check out Trinity Royal.com a designated Historic District, is full of history and lies in the heart of uptown Saint John.
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