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: 331 Botsford Street (Joseph MillardHouse) is located on the corner of Botsford Street and LorneAvenue in the Town of Newmarket. The subject propertycontains a two-and-a-half storey Queen Anne building whichwas constructed between 1880 and 1891.
Legal Description: PART LOT 19, PLAN 48, NEWMARKET
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
331 Botsford Street is a representative example of a buildingconstructed in the Queen Anne architectural style. The two-and-ahalf storey, brick building follows an irregular plan with complexroofline showcasing a pyramidal hip roof intersected by a side gableaccentuated by wide overhanging eaves and finished with prominentlarge projecting front, side, and rear gable pediments, which createthe playful and asymmetrical composition typical of the Queen Annedesign. The rusticated stone foundation extends into the envelope andcontrasts against the red brick envelope and the building designincludes a two-storey, projecting canted walls positioned along thefacade and side elevation which is representative of the irregularcomposition of Queen Anne design. The variety of window openingsand sizes, which include segmentally, rounded, rectangular and oculusstyle window openings, with brick voussoirs and rusticated stone sillswhich are characteristics of the Queen Anne style. There are a varietyof porches found on the building including an enclosed two-storeyporch with flat roof, a semi-circular porch constructed with brick andconcrete and ribbon windows, and an upper storey enclosed porchlocated above the enclosed portico and entranceway withrectangular door opening flanked by narrow sidelights. The use ofmixed materials and ornamental design of openings is representativeof the Queen Anne design aesthetic.
Historical and Associative Value
331 Botsford Street is directly associated with the historic Villageof Newmarket, Thomas Robertson, and Peter W. Pearson. The lotslines, layout, and built form of the historic village of Newmarket waswell established in the mid-19th century and evident in a wellestablished commercial core found along Main Street South and thelarge presence of residences located along several side streets. 331Botsford Street is a residential building located near the historiccommercial core. The development of the commercial core andsurrounding residential streetscapes in the mid-19th century played asignificant role in the social and economic development and growth ofthe historic Village of Newmarket. It is likely that the brick used in theconstruction of the residence was from the Stickwood Brickyard, which produced both red and buff/yellow- coloured bricks during this timeperiod. Local historians indicate that almost all of the brick buildingsbuilt in Newmarket between 1860 and 1910 were likely constructedwith bricks that originated at the Stickwood Brickyard. The use oflocally made bricks reflect the concentrated development andprosperity of the historic village.
331 Botsford Street is associated with local lawyer Thomas J.Robinson. Thomas Jaffray George Mahon Robertson was born onOctober 2, 1841, in Dublin, Ireland. The Robertson family settled inYork County in 1847, and Thomas Robertson moved to Newmarket in1875 after passing the bar a few years earlier. The 1891 censusstrongly resembles the description of 331 Botsford Street, suggestingthat the building was constructed for Thomas Robertson, as hisresidence sometime between 1880 and 1891. Thomas Robertson wasa barrister by profession maintained a law office on Main Street,however he also played a prominent and respected role within thecommunity. Thomas served as Newmarket's mayor from 1894 until1896, was partially responsible for bringing the Office SpecialtyManufacturing Company Ltd to Newmarket in 1895, served as thetown's de-fact legal advisor, was involved with the Mechanics'Institute, the Public Library Board and served as the SecretaryTreasurer of the High School Board. Thomas J. Robinson died onNovember 19, 1917, in Newmarket.
Thomas Robinson sold 331 Botsford Street to lumber and coalmerchant Peter W. Pearson in 1909. Peter William Pearson was bornon December 20, 1862 (or 1863). The Pearson family were earlysettlers and played an influential role the Newmarket's social,economic, and municipal affairs. Peter Pearson was particularlyactive in Newmarket's civic affairs. He served as Newmarket's mayorfrom 1908 until 1911, as a Town Reeve in 1913, and as a CountyWarden in 1926. He also represented the riding of York North as itsMPP in the provincial legislature from 1926 to 1930. It is possiblethat Pearson made substantial improvements to 331 Botsford Streetbetween 1909 and 1930. Peter Pearson died on September 16,1946, in Waterloo, Ontario.
Contextual Value
331 Botsford Street is important in supporting the 19th centurycharacter of the historic Village of Newmarket. Located off orparallel to Main Street, the buildings along the side streets arecomprised of predominantly one to two-and-a-half storey residences,primarily brick construction, most using bricks from Stickwood'sbrickyard, with modest setbacks and include a range of architecturalstyles from that period. Many of the early residences were owned bylocal merchants who owned and/or worked within the commercialcore. 331 Botsford Street exhibits setback, massing, style, decorativedetails consistent with the historic village character.
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.