Notice is Hereby Given that the Council of The Corporationof the Town of Newmarket intends to designate as a propertyof cultural heritage value and interest the following propertyin accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O.18:
Property Description: 393 Botsford Street (William and MargaretBrown House, Brown/Currey House) is located on the corner of BotsfordStreet and Victoria Street in the Town of Newmarket. The subjectproperty contains two-storey Gothic Revival building which wasconstructed in 1884.
Legal Description: PART LOT 86, PLAN 81, TOWN OFNEWMARKET
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2024
Last Date for Objection: Dec 1, 2024Any notice of objection to this Notice of Intention to Designate,setting out the reason for objection and all relevant facts, mustbe served upon the Town Clerk within 30 days of the firstpublication of this notice.
Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest:
Physical/ Design Value
393 Botsford Street is a representative example of abuilding constructed in the Gothic Revival architecturalstyle. The two-storey, buff brick building follows a "L-shaped"plan with a projecting rear wing topped with a complexroofline showcasing overhanging eaves and an intersecting- gable roof with prominent front and side gable peaks whichis typical of the Gothic Revival design. The subject buildingincludes rhythmically placed single segmentally archedwindow openings with brick voussoirs. The facade showcases a one-storey bay window with flat roof and decorative brickbanding and formal centrally placed entryway topped by asegmentally arched transom and including a single door whichare all common features of Gothic Revival design. 393Botsford Street also includes a classically inspired front porchwith an ornamented architrave supported by square woodcolumns and ornamented two-storey side elevation porch withchamfered wood columns, decorative brackets and lancetstyle wood railing which are additional features of the GothicRevival style.
Historical and Associative Value
393 Botsford Street is directly associated with the historicVillage of Newmarket. The lots lines, layout, and built formof the historic village of Newmarket was well established inthe mid-19th century and evident in a well-establishedcommercial core found along Main Street South and the largepresence of residences located along several side streets. Thedevelopment of the commercial core and surroundingresidential streetscapes in the mid-19th century played asignificant role in the social and economic development andgrowth of the historic Village of Newmarket. It is likely thatthe brick used in the construction of the residence was fromthe Stickwood Brickyard, which produced both red andbuff/yellow- coloured bricks during this time period. Localhistorians indicate that almost all of the brick buildings built in Newmarket between 1860 and 1910 were likely constructedwith bricks that originated at the Stickwood Brickyard. Theuse of locally made bricks reflect the concentrateddevelopment and prosperity of the historic core.
393 Botsford Street reflect the work of local builder andcarpenter William Brown. William Brown was born in 1847,although little is known about his early life. By 1874, he wasliving in Newmarket, where he married Margaret Hill.William Brown was a professional carpenter who constructedmany residences on Botsford Street, Church Street, andTimothy Street, among others, in the late 19th century. Basedon extant residences constructed by William Brown, mostwere of brick construction and relatively utilitarian in design.Many of his buildings possessed front porches or verandahsand were constructed on an L-shaped plan and constructedwith brick. 393 Botsford Street reflects the work of builderWilliam Brown who played a role in the construction ofseveral 19th century buildings in the historic village.
Contextual Value
393 Botsford Street is important in supporting the 19thcentury character of the historic Village of Newmarket.Located off or parallel to Main Street, the buildings along theside streets are comprised of predominantly one to two-anda-half storey residences, primarily brick construction, mostusing bricks from Stickwood's brickyard, with modest setbacksand include a range of architectural styles from that period.393 Botsford Street exhibits setback, massing, style,decorative details consistent with the historic village character.
393 Botsford Street is visually and historically linked to theadjacent building to the west (387 Botsford Street). Thebuildings were made by the same builder and share the samefacade orientation, overall massing, height, setback andsimilar decorative detailing.
Additional information, including a full description of therationale for designation is available upon request fromUmar Mahmood, Planner, Committee of Adjustment andCultural Heritage, Planning Services at (905) 895-5193,extension 2458, or at umahmood@newmarket.ca duringregular business hours.