The Laing - Speers House (482 Elizabeth St.)

This two-storey three-bay brick structure with its low-pitched end-gabled roof with end chimneys is a good example of the gracefully proportioned Neo-classic style. The gable ends are pedimented with protective close eaves shielding the upper-level windows. The central entrance preserves the rectangular transom and sidelights with panels. The bay windows probably date from Dr Speers' renovations in 1902, and the 1/1 sash windows probably replaced earlier multi-pane windows at that time. Some interior features were lost in the library renovations in the 1950s. The house has a distinguished history. It was the home of two families - James and Christina Laing and then Dr Austin Hager Speers. In 1952, the property was purchased by the Town from Dr. Speers' estate and renovated to become the new location of the Burlington Public Library for the next 20 years.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
The Estaminet (2084 Old Lakeshore Rd.) Constructed prior to 1870 in the Georgian style, the Estaminet building is a three-bay frame structure with a truncated hipped roof, simple lines and minimal adornment reflective of the Georgian period in Canada (1820-1850). Photographs from the early 20th century depict a three-bay window projecting from the easterly elevation in a polygonal design. The north-facing (front) covered porch with slight bell cast roof and detailed scrollwork remains. It is likely that the bay window (no longer extant) and the porch were added to the structure in the very late 19th century/early 20th century. A single masonry chimney at the north easterly corner of the building is shown in early photographs. A chimney remains in this location today. 2084 Old Lakeshore Road contributes to our contemporary understanding of the evolution of Burlington's agrarian and port history. The Estaminet has weathered the evolution of Wellington Square's and downtown Burlin...
Read more
Image
  The Stinson-Morrine House (417 Elizabeth St.) This building was originally constructed as a frame one-and-a-half storey cottage circa 1850 for Joseph Stinson. In 1888, John Morrine moved here with his family from Grimsby and made alterations to the building, including cladding the frame structure with brick and installing the dormer. A shed-roofed dormer with one round-arched window and two smaller flat-headed side windows (each with 12 panes) were also added. The front door is at the south gable end where there was a porch. The lower windows have segmented arches with shutters to match: 6/6 sash. The building was successfully incorporated into the Village Square shopping district in 1977, where it has been adapted into a restaurant. Additional alterations that have since occurred include two-storey additions constructed to the north and east (rear) elevations of the house and various modern exterior features such as new window awnings and a new asphalt shingle roof.
Read more
Image
  The Bastedo - Redmond - John Kenter House (423 Elizabeth St.) According to the Burlington Historical Plaque, this building was constructed in 1880 for Joseph Redmond, shoemaker. However, the property was owned by John Thompson Bastedo from 1855 to 1873, and the house may have been built as early as 1855 for Bastedo. It is shown on the '1836' Map of Wellington Square (circa 1856). It may have been renovated and enlarged in 1880 for Redmond. In 1871, Joseph Redmond is listed in the Assessment Rolls as a Land Agent and in 1885 as a shoemaker. The building is a one-and-a-half storey front-gabled structure of hand-made brick. The front entrance, located for a side-hall layout, has side lights and a three-piece transom with leaded glazing and heavy articulation. A hipped-roof semi-octagonal bay window is visible at the first level. The windows are segmental 2/2 wood sash with radiating brick voussoirs and dressed stone sills. The gabled roof has gingerbread and corbelled chimneys a...
Read more