2016

Division Street South Heritage

Conservation District Study

Kingsville Municipal
Heritage Advisory
Committee
4/25/2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents
Introduction _________________________________________________________________________________________ 1
Key components of the Kingsville Heritage Conservation District Study ................................... 2
Scope of the Study ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Content of the Kingsville Heritage Conservation District Study..................................................... 3
What is a Heritage Conservation District? ________________________________________________________ 4
Policy Framework __________________________________________________________________________________ 5
The Provincial Policy Statement ................................................................................................................. 5
Ministry of Culture Ontario Regulation 10/06 ...................................................................................... 6
Heritage Conservation District Designation Process ____________________________________________ 7
Town of Kingsville Official plan ____________________________________________________________________ 8
Cultural Heritage And Archaeological Resources................................................................................. 8
Cultural And Built Heritage Resources ..................................................................................................... 8
Town of Kingsville Context _______________________________________________________________________ 10
Document Research .......................................................................................................................................10
Consultation ......................................................................................................................................................10
Conservation District Study ______________________________________________________________________ 15
Characteristics of a Heritage District ......................................................................................................15
Cultural Heritage Value for Division St South __________________________________________________ 16
Identifying the Study Area _______________________________________________________________________ 19
Dynamic Evolving District _______________________________________________________________________ 20
Style......................................................................................................................................................................20
Victorian era (1840-1900) __________________________________________________________________ 20
Italianate (circa. 1850-1900): ______________________________________________________________ 21
Gothic Revival (1750-1900) ________________________________________________________________ 22
Mid-Century Modern (1945-1965)_________________________________________________________ 24
Modern buildings ____________________________________________________________________________ 26
Commercial and Public Buildings __________________________________________________________ 27

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Materials______________________________________________________________________________________ 31
Height and Massing __________________________________________________________________________ 31
Streetscape Context and Assessment ___________________________________________________________ 32
Street layout ......................................................................................................................................................32
Vegetation ..........................................................................................................................................................32
Recommendations ________________________________________________________________________________ 33
Statement of Significance ............................................................................................................................33
Boundary............................................................................................................................................................33
Character-Defining Elements .....................................................................................................................33
General Policy Recommended ...................................................................................................................34
Recommended Conservation Guidelines for Public Spaces ...........................................................34
Recommended Conservation Guidelines for Buildings....................................................................35
Next Steps _________________________________________________________________________________________ 36

DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Introduction
Division St South begins at the centre of the downtown area of Kingsville and extends to
Lake Erie. This two-kilometer neighborhood is in the heart of Kingsville.
This centre has been subject to the ebb-and-flow of the economic variations of the last
two centuries. This trend is visible in the form and structure of its landscape. Through
fires, economic hardship, and revitalization, the community has evolved into a diverse
heterogeneous neighborhood. The area is an example of a dynamic cultural landscape
providing a strong sense of place and continuing to act as a gathering place for residents
and visitors to the area.
Division St South represents over 15 decades of built heritage in Kingsville. It is a unique
street that tells the story of
Kingsville through the people who
lived, built, and made Kingsville the
town it is today.
This Heritage Conservation District
Study has been prepared for
consideration by the property
owners in the Town of Kingsville
and Town Council, and proposes
the formal recognition of Division
Street South as a Heritage
Conservation District under Part V
of the Ontario Heritage Act, 2005. It
has been undertaken to map
attributes of cultural heritage
value, identify areas for improvement, and recommend conservation guidelines.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

KEY COMPONENTS OF THE KINGSVILLE HERITAGE CONSERVATION
DISTRICT STUDY

To provide a comprehensive analysis of the historical and architectural character of

Division St South as a means to recognize, evaluate and establish the heritage
character of the street;
To encourage and facilitate the participation and input of local residents, as well as
the municipality, in pursuing and promoting awareness of the preservation of the
areas character;
To provide design guidelines to assist property owners and decision makers in the
assessment of appropriate changes and development proposals within the town.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

To ensure that the key components noted above are attained, we followed the guidelines
of Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, section 40.2 for undertaking a district study:

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Examine the character and appearance of the area that is the subject of the study,
including buildings, structures and other property features of the area, to
determine if the area should be preserved as a heritage conservation district;

DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Examine and make recommendations as to the geographic boundaries of the area

to be designated;
Consider and make recommendations as to the objectives of the designation and
the content of the heritage conservation district plan required under section 41.1;
Make recommendations as to any changes that will be required to the
municipalitys official plan and to any municipal by-laws, including any zoning bylaws. 1

CONTENT OF THE KINGSVILLE HERITAGE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

STUDY
The Kingsville Heritage Conservation District Study includes:2
A statement of the objectives to be achieved in designating the area as a heritage
conservation district;

1
2

A statement explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of the heritage

conservation district;
A description of the heritage attributes of the heritage conservation district and of
properties in the district;
Policy statements, guidelines and procedures for achieving the stated objectives
and managing change in the heritage conservation district; and
A description of the alterations or classes of alterations that are minor in nature
and that the owner of property in the heritage conservation district may carry out
or permit to be carried out on any part of the property, other than the interior of
any structure or building on the property, without obtaining a permit under
section 40.2 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Ontario Heritage Act 40. (2), 2005, c. 6. s. 29.

Ontario Heritage Act 41.1 (5)

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

What is a Heritage Conservation District?

Subsection 41. (1) Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act enables the council of a municipality
to designate the entire municipality or any defined area or areas of the municipality as a
Heritage Conservation District (HCD).
District designation enables the council of a municipality to manage and guide future
change in the district, through adoption of a district plan with policies and guidelines for
conservation, protection and enhancement of the areas special character.
A HCD may comprise an area within a group or complex of buildings, or a larger area with
many buildings and properties. It may also comprise an entire municipality with a
concentration of heritage resources with special character or historical association that
distinguishes it from its surroundings.
Potential districts can be found in urban and rural environments. They may include
residential, commercial and industrial areas, rural landscapes or entire villages or hamlets
with features or land patterns that contribute to a cohesive sense of time or place.
Heritage Conservation Districts form an integral part of our cultural heritage. They
contribute to an understanding and appreciation of the cultural identity of the local
community, region, province or nation.
The significance of a HCD often extends beyond its built heritage, structures, streets,
landscape and other physical and spatial elements, to include important vistas and views
between and towards buildings and spaces within the district. The quality and interest of
a district may also depend on the diversity of the lifestyle and the traditions of the people
who live and work there.
As the users and the ultimate guardians, the community forms a vital part of a district.
Following recent legislative changes, there is growing interest in the designation of
heritage conservation districts in industrial, rural, waterfront, mining and other cultural
heritage landscape settings that have not been fully considered before.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Policy Framework
THE PROVINCIAL POLICY STATEMENT
The Provincial Policy Statement, 2014 (PPS, 2014) is the current policy statement
regarding municipal land use and planning matters of provincial interest. This policy
statement is made pursuant to section 3 of the Planning Act. The PPS promotes the wise
use and management of cultural heritage resources.
The key policy that supports the implementation of heritage districts is:

Policy 2.6.1:
Significant built heritage resources and significant cultural
heritage landscapes shall be conserved.
Policy 2.6.1 for the conservation of significant cultural heritage landscapes is not new, but
it is strengthened by the stronger implementation standard issued under the Planning Act
which requires that planning decisions by municipalities and other approval authorities
shall be consistent with the PPS, 2005. The PPS also includes a new policy that will
provide additional support for protection of HCDs and their setting:

POLICY 2.6.3:
Planning authorities shall not permit development and site alteration on
adjacent lands to protected heritage property except where the proposed
development and site alteration has been evaluated and it has been
demonstrated that the heritage attributes of the protected heritage
property will be conserved.
In other words, lands adjacent to protected heritage properties (which includes
designated HCDs) can be developed or altered only if the heritage attributes of the
protected property are conserved.
To put these policies in place, municipalities and approval authorities should integrate
heritage conservation objectives and policies into their land use planning documents and
approval procedures.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Municipalities and planning authorities can incorporate more detailed cultural heritage
landscape conservation objectives and policies reflecting local heritage resources into its
official plans, land use documents, and their related development approval processes.
Conserving built heritage resources and cultural heritage landscapes means identifying,
protecting, using and managing them in such a way that their heritage values and
attributes are retained. This can be done through a secondary plan, HCD plan or a heritage
impact assessment.

MINISTRY OF CULTURE ONTARIO REGULATION 10/063

The Ministry of Cultures Criteria for determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest of
Provincial significance identifies the following criteria for evaluation:

The property represents or demonstrates a theme or pattern in Ontarios history.

The property yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to
an understanding of Ontarios history.
The property demonstrates an uncommon, rare or unique aspect of Ontarios
cultural heritage.
The property is of aesthetic, visual or contextual importance to the province.
The property demonstrates a high degree of excellence or creative, technical or
scientific achievement at a provincial level in a given period.
The property has a strong or special association with the entire province or with a
community that is found in more than one part of the province. The association
exists for historic, social, or cultural reasons or because of traditional use.
The property has a strong or special association with the life or work of a person,
group or organization of importance to the province or with an event of
importance to the province.
The property is located in unorganized territory and the Minister determines that
there is a provincial interest in the protection of the property.

Ontario Regulations 10/06, s.1 (2) issued January 25, 2006.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Heritage Conservation District Designation Process

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Town of Kingsville Official Plan
CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
It is the policy of this Plan that archaeological, cultural, and built heritage resources and
landscapes be identified, recognized, enhanced and conserved for the benefit of the
community. The Town shall work with the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee to
identify potential archaeological, cultural and built heritage resources and landscapes to
increase public awareness and involvement in the protection and enhancement of the
Towns heritage features.

CULTURAL AND BUILT HERITAGE RESOURCES

For the purposes of this Plan, cultural heritage resources shall mean resources that are
valued for the important contribution they make to our understanding of the history of a
place, an event or a people. Built heritage resources shall mean one or more buildings,
structures, monuments, installations or remains associated with architectural, cultural,
social, political, economic or military history and identified as being important to a
community. These resources may be identified through designation or heritage
conservation easement under the Ontario Heritage Act, or listed by local, provincial or
federal jurisdictions.
Kingsvilles built heritage resources will be identified by:
a) Establishing a framework by which to judge the potential significance of built
heritage resources;
b) Researching and documenting the potential built heritage significance of
properties within the Town of Kingsville using the established framework;
c) Based on the completed research and documentation, preparing a register of
properties with potential built heritage significance;
d) Contacting property owners regarding the potential significance of their property
and seek their support to have their property designated as a significant built
heritage resource;
e) Encouraging Council to continue to offer property tax reduction incentives for
properties that have been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act;

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

f) Monitoring demolition permit applications to ensure input in the event that a
property with potential built heritage significance is proposed for demolition.
Those properties designated in accordance with paragraph c) above (see those indicated
as designated in Appendix B of this Plan) and for which property tax incentives are being
received, shall be conserved. Demolition shall be prohibited and alterations shall only be
permitted if in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act.
For those properties that are included in the Town of Kingsville Heritage Register
demolition shall only be permitted in compliance with the provisions of the Ontario
Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990.
Development and site alteration may be permitted on adjacent lands to protected heritage
property where the proposed development and site alteration has been assessed and
evaluated and it has been demonstrated that the heritage attributes of the protected
heritage property will be conserved. Mitigating measures and/or alternative development
approaches may be required in order to conserve the heritage attributes of the protected
heritage property affected by the adjacent development onsite alteration.
The Town may choose to designate a Heritage Conservation District or Districts, including
areas of cultural heritage landscape features and heritage attributes. Prior to the
designation of a Heritage District, Council may pass a by-law defining an area to be
examined for designation as such a district, or may prepare a study for the area to
determine the feasibility and appropriateness of such a designation. The study will be
prepared in accordance with the Provinces Heritage Conservation District Guidelines.
The study may also suggest policies and guidelines to advise Council as to the
consideration and approval of applications for new development and building alterations
on properties located within a designated Heritage Conservation District.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Town of Kingsville Context
DOCUMENT RESEARCH
Each property on Division St South underwent extensive research and assessment. The
following resources were utilized:

tax assessment records

fire insurance maps
newspaper articles
books

CONSULTATION
There were several phases to the public consultation
process. Prior to requesting the study, properties
were featured in the Kingsville Reporter over a twoyear period. A companion website
http://divisionoftime.ca/ was established to provide
additional information and feedback from the public.
Once Town Council approved the study period, a
public open house was provided to the residents of
Kingsville. The event was advertised in the Kingsville
Reporter (see Figure 1). In addition, property owners
on Division St South. were invited by mail to attend.
The invitation also included a frequently asked
questions page to explain the nature of the district
and anticipate any concerns property owners might
have (Figure 3).
Figure 1: Fire Insurance Map 1906

The open house allowed residents to view 40 display

boards that featured every property on Division St South. The boards were organized by
date of construction. Each property was identified by the year of construction, address,
history of the property, and current photo. In some instances, historical photos were also
provided.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The open house was held on September 29, 2014 from 12:00-8:00 pm. Forty-one
individuals attended the event. All guests were invited to fill out a comment card. Three
comment cards were received.
To ensure that a wide public were able to see the display, the panels were also displayed at
the annual Migration Festival (October 18-19, 2014).
The Town of Kingsville received no concerns or objections to the proposed HCD.

Figure 2: Postcard of Division St South

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Figure 3: Invitation to Open House

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Conservation District Study
As a part of the historic neighbourhood of Kingsville in Southwest Ontario, Division St
South is a thriving example of a street rich in history and Victorian era architecture.
Kingsville values its heritage and is committed to growth and renewal in a way which
offers a small-town, friendly atmosphere. The objective of the Heritage District Study is to
identify and ascribe value to the heritage attributes that define the character of Division St
South while maintaining the cultural identity of the community.
Designation also allows the community to commemorate and recognize the value of its
architecture while developing a strategy for sustainability in the future.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A HERITAGE DISTRICT

While every municipality has its own unique characteristics that meet the requirements
for a heritage district, there are certain common characteristics developed within the
Guide to District Designation under the Ontario Heritage Act4 that should be present:

A concentration of heritage buildings, sites, structures; designed landscapes,

natural landscapes that are linked by aesthetic, historical and socio-cultural
contexts or use.
A framework of structured elements including major natural features such as
topography, land form, landscapes, watercourses and built form such as pathways
and street patterns, landmarks, nodes or intersections, approaches and edges.
A sense of visual coherence through the use of such elements as building scale,
mass, height, material, proportion, color, etc. that convey a distinct sense of time or
place.
A distinctiveness that enables districts to be recognized and distinguishable from
their surroundings or from neighboring areas.

http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/publications/Heritage_Tool_Kit_HCD_English.pdf

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Cultural Heritage Value for Division St South
Today there is no more beautiful street in the world than Division
Street in Kingsville. Standing at the four corners and looking down
towards the lake the tourist sees a bower of huge trees reaching
high up toward heaven with their wealth of branches and glorious
green foliage meeting in the centre to form a perfect archway
under which people may pass.5
In January 2014, the Kingsville Municipal Council approved adopting a heritage district
through the process of a heritage district study. There are currently 81 properties on
Division St South running from Main Street to the shores of Lake Erie. These homes date
back as far as the 1870s with the Canfield-Hellems House. The architectural significance
of the street has been further intensified by the variety of Victorian homes and culturally
relevant commercial properties.
Over the years, the Town of Kingsville has been privy to many exciting changes that added
to the significance of the town as a heritage locality. In the 1910s the decision to build the
Carnegie Library designed by Crane & Pennington on Division St South brought much
discussion and excitement to the Town of Kingsville. Today the building still stands as a
symbol of business, arts, culture and prosperity to the town.
In the 1940s at the height of the massive immigration boom to Canada, the government of
the day encouraged many Canadians and immigrants alike to invest in building as homes
were seen as the heart of the nation.6 Under the guise of building better homes for
families and providing jobs for the building sector, many homes were built on Division St
South. with the encouragement and assistance of the Canadian government and the
financial resources of the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
A history of fires has also contributed to the construction and reconstruction of many
homes and places of business and worship. The Epworth United Church, celebrated by its

5
6

11 Jun 1925 Kingsville Reporter pg.1.

31 May 1945 Kingsville Reporter pg. 9.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

fine Romanesque design which the town used in promotional
brochures for the community suffered a tremendous loss on
April 4, 1935 when fire broke out. The Sunday school rooms and
auditorium were saved, but the original 1893 Sanctuary was lost.
However, rather than completely demolish the building, the
church restored what they could, such as the chimney which was
built in the shape of an altar and incorporated into the new
design.

EPWORTH UNITED
CHURCH

The original Romanesque

design is featured in a
promotional postcard. The
altar-shaped original
chimney can be seen on the
right rear of the building.

Figure 4: Epworth Methodist Church pre-fire, North view

Some of the features were

saved such as the red brick
and foundation. The altarshaped chimney was moved
to the south side of the
property which can be seen
in the picture to the left.
While the two-story turret
did not survive the
renovation, the base was
used in the new design.

Figure 5: Epworth United, today, South view

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

In the early spring of 1950 a fire gutted the house owned by Donald Taggart on Division St
South. The two-story Italianate home was home to four families, and the fire left 17 people
homeless. Built by J.H. Smart in 1889, the home was known for its attractive tower on the
front and its slate roof. In the 1940s, the home was renovated for use as a rooming house.
The cause of the fire was due to the aging and outdated gas light fixtures.
The property eventually became the site of
the Royal Canadian Legion Hall. On the
same property is a museum. The museum
holds collections regarding the United
Empire Loyalists and artifacts and
information on the People of Essex County
and their involvement in the defense of
their Country in the Fenian Raids, Boer
War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Cold
War, Peacekeeping, Bosnia, and
Afghanistan. Groundbreaking took place on
December 22, 1997 and the museum was
opened to the public on November 11,
1999. Named after a World War 2 Veteran,
Charlie Campbell served as a Mid-Upper
Air Gunner in the 419 Moose Squadron,
RCAF and was the Royal Canadian Legions
Mobile Museums first curator.

Figure 6: Aftermath of J.H. Smart House fire

Photo Courtesy of the Kingsville Archives

Probably the worst fire in Kingsvilles history and the one that changed the downtown
landscape the most happened on Monday November 9, 1981. Nine business were lost
and 23 people lost their home when fire broke out in the Wigle Block. This Victorian
landmark was completely lost, (see p. 26).

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Identifying the Study Area

The Division St South Heritage Conservation District includes all properties on the East
and West side of Division St South from Main Street to Lake Erie. Homes that abut Division
St South., are also included, such as 2 Mill Street,

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Dynamic Evolving District

STYLE
The design styles exhibited on Division St South are identifiable by the characteristic
attributes of architectural style rather than specific styles themselves. As the vast majority
of buildings within the study area have been subject to historical economic
inconsistencies over the last 150 years, several of the buildings have undergone extensive
renovations to manipulate the structures for new uses. However, many of the buildings
still exhibit the strong characteristics associated with architectural movements prevalent
at the time period of economic growth in the town. The progress of the decades of
development is clearly visible in the physical landscape of Division St South, through the
correlation of building construction dates and dominating architectural influences. Many
styles of architecture can be found in the downtown including those from the Victorian
era:

Victorian era (1840-1900)

Queen Victoria ruled from 1837 to
1901. When historians refer to
Victorian architecture they are
referring to any building or style
that was produced during the reign
of Queen Victoria. Thus there are
numerous styles and sub-styles
that were created during this time
frame.7 Some of the notable styles
that appear on Division St South
are Gothic Revival and Queen
Anne. Those built during the time
Figure 7 - Russell H. & Ethel Pickard House (1911)
that cannot be identified as a
recognized style are referred to as Victorian, though many on the street are unique to
Kingsville and can be referred to as Kingsville Vernacular. One such home is the Russell

Victorian (1840-1900) Building Styles. www.OntarioArchitecture.com

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

H. & Ethel Pickard House (1911) that, while having no recognized academic style, is
typical of homes built in this decade in Kingsville.

Italianate (circa. 1850-1900):

Popular as an alternative to classical
design styles of the time the Italianate
Style appears frequently on Canadian
streets as an attractive and exaggerated
design. These buildings were indicative
of wealth and higher status within the
community and were often dominant.
Facades were often divided into
symmetrical bays with accenting
pediments, double brackets, pilasters and
moldings. Cast iron was a common
Figure 8- Howard Scratch (R. Kratz) House (1886)
building material used to construct accent
details such as cornices around traditional double hung 6-over-6 or 8-over-8 window
sashes.
A number of Italianate homes
on Division St South have
been designated; including
the Howard Scratch (Kratz)
House 1886) and the James
W. King House (1882).

Figure 9 - James W. King House (1882)

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Gothic Revival (1750-1900)
Early settlers from the United
Kingdom who settled in Ontario
translated elements of English stone
buildings into wood on cottages and
smaller residences in Ontario. These
homes are often eclectic and ornate.
Gothic Revival homes used medieval
details and building practices adapted
to the Ontario climate. Sometimes a
Georgian frame is filled with Gothic or
Tudor details such as verge boarding,
finials, scalloping, lancet windows,
Figure 10 - Elihu Scratch House (1887)
hood molds and carved label stops.
Examples of Gothic elements on Division St South include those one the Gothic home built
by Elihu Scratch (1887).
While having undergone several changes, the Canfield-Hellems House (1872) still retains
some of its Gothic features such as the pitched roof. Underneath the aluminum siding is
the original board and batten siding.

Figure 11 - Canfield-Hellems House (1872) original (l) today (r).

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Queen Anne (1870-1910)
The Queen Anne Revival Style like many of
the larger residential styles that were
prominent during the final decades of the
19th century, was fueled by the wealthy
upper middle classes who through luck
and very hard work had managed to make
a success of their new lives in Canada. It
was a style meant to be enjoyed by those
who lived within it and those who lived
near it. At the centre was a solid family
who needed a large, opulent home where
Figure 12 - Curtis Green House (1893) original, side
the children could grow into prominence
view
surrounded by the fruits of their ancestors
labours enjoying a lovely garden, many spacious and highly ornate living areas, and
enough bedrooms for all the family, guests and servants.

Figure 13 - Curtis J. Green House (1893) today, front view

The Queen Anne style always has

a verandah, sometimes wrapping
all the way around a house.
There are many small rooms
where each member of the
household could find some peace
and quiet. The style is opulent
without the ornament found in
Italianate or Italian villa. The
house often has a tower, but the
styling of the tower has no
balconettes or eyebrow window
treatments.

There are numerous homes in Kingsville and on Division St South that were built as Queen
Anne homes, or refurbished into this style. The Curtis J. Green (1893) was a home built in
the Queen Anne style. The curved porches were removed at a later date and enclosed.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

In contrast, the Coda-Leach
house, was a typical
Kingsville Victorian era farm
house that had balcony and
iron-work added at a later
date.

Figure 14- Coda Leach House (1884)

Mid-Century Modern (1945-1965)

The mid-century modern style was a self-conscious attempt to put the past behind and
move on. First the Great Depression of the 1930s and then the Second World War left
scars that went unhealed for many years. The end of World War II began a boom in home
construction in Canada, and families were eager for a change from the austere existence of
the preceding seven years. Although homes built during this period were not going to be
large, it was hoped that houses could be designed as an improved wartime housing unit
with basements, central heating and other similar amenities.
With the upsurge in the economy in the postwar years families were quick to embrace an
architecture that was suited to all the modern conveniences such as refrigerators, electric
ovens, and continuous counter tops all things that the Ontario resident in the first part
of the 21st century takes for granted but were not part of the package in a pre-WWII
home. The Mid-Century modern house with its large picture windows and sloping roof to
create a carport was perfect for the family on the go.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Figure 15 - George & Eva Moore House (1948)

In 1945, The Central Mortgage and

Housing Corporation (CMHC) Act was
established, not only to encourage and
protect mortgage lending, but to also
develop a national building code and
improve technology and efficiency. The
CMHC worked with Canadian architects
to produce floor plan catalogues and
blue prints were available for purchase.
This home was built for George and Eva
Moore in 1948 and is a typical example
of a post-war house.

Colin Cornelius (Neil) Quick, an electrical

contractor, had this home built in 1954. That was
also the year Kingsville was changed over from
25 to 60-cycle frequency by the Hydro-Electric
Power Commission of Ontario. The previous year
hydro employees spent a week in Kingsville, going
house to house, taking inventory of all frequency
sensitive equipment. The estimate for the
changeover was 3,700 appliances: including
approximately 850 washing machines, nearly 600
refrigerators and 350 record players.

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Figure 16 - Colin Cornelius Quick House

(1954)

DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Modern buildings
Kingsvilles Division St South continues
to grow and evolve into the 21century.
Each decade since 1870 has been
represented by some new building.
While building has slowed in recent
decades, fires and other calamities have
resulted in replacement buildings. In
each decade of the 1970s through to
2000 at least one property was built on
the street.
When the Motorco building complex was Figure 17 - Kingsville Town Square (1985)
completed in 1985, it contained 18
apartment units and 12,000 square feet of commercial space. This building replaced two
blocks that were destroyed by fire in 1981. The Wigle-Conklin Block, on the corner of
Division and Main, was completed for Dr. Andrew Wigle and David Conklin in 1896 and
just south was the E.A. Brown Block. Built in 1923, the Brown Block was Kingsvilles post
office until 1936 when the federal building was opened on the north-east corner of
Division and Main. The Motorco buildings architect worked closely with the Town,
Motorco and Nova Goldsmiths so that the building would blend in with the present decor
of the downtown area and included a gift to the people of Kingsville of a triangle of land
to replace the loss of the Town Square.

Figure 18 Wigle-Conklin Block, South West corner of

Main St and Division St

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In 1916, the Town of Kingsville granted
an eastern portion of Lakeside Park to
the Department of the Naval Service
of the Dominion of Canada for a fish
hatchery. Built on the west side of
Division St South, the hatchery was
used to raise herring and whitefish
fry for the western end of Lake Erie.
Also built in 1916 was a two-story
house for the superintendent, just
west of the hatchery. In 1998, the
hatchery building was demolished
Figure 19 - Lakeside Crescent Townhomes (2001)
and the superintendents house was
sold and moved. The property was developed to include these townhouses on the new
Lakeside Crescent in 2001.

Commercial and Public Buildings

Division St South represents a mix
of private residences and
businesses. The block between
Maple and Main extends north
into the centre of town and
includes some of the most prized
commercial buildings in the
town.
The headline in The Kingsville
Reporter on April 4th, 1935 was
Epworth United Church
Burned. The church, designed by
Chatham architect James L. Wilson,
Figure 20 - Epworth United Church (1893)
was built in 1893 with Thomas Jenner
as the contractor, Woodiwiss Bros. as the brick and stone masons and H.R. Kratz
responsible for the iron and tin work. Memorial Hall, which was built in 1922, was saved

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

from the fire. The new church was designed by Windsor architect J.C. Pennington and built
on much of the original stone foundation by the Oxley Bros. The rebuilt Epworth United
Church was dedicated on April 19th, 1936.
David Conklin (1854-1952) was a
very successful business owner
whose primary endeavour was a
lumber mill. Other investments
included farming and commercial
properties like the Conklin Building.
David purchased the vacant lot on the
south-east corner of Division and
Main from J.W. King in April 1901 for
$1,600, and the brick block was
completed by December. The building
was designed by architect John A.
Figure 21 - Conklin Building (1901)
Maycock and D.H. McCay was the
superintendent of construction. Shortly
after completion, Molsons Bank moved into the corner section and the dry good
establishment of C.W. Hendershot occupied the L-shaped store which had entrances on
both Division and Main.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Another successful
businessman was Bon
Jasperson who, at the
age of 46, had already
been involved in a
number of businesses
with various partners
in private banking,
grain warehouses, a
canning factory, local
lime kilns, the Electric
Light Plant, a tobacco
factory and gas and oil
fields. Partnering with
local furniture maker
Figure 22 - Jasperson Building (1915)
and undertaker Charles
Pearsall, Jasperson had this brick block built in 1915. When completed, Pearsall opened a
jewelry store in the northern section and Jasperson kept his office above the southern
storefront, which housed the customs office.
When American steel magnate Andrew
Carnegie retired from active business in
1901, he devoted the rest of his years to
philanthropy. In his lifetime, he donated
$56 million to build 2,509 libraries
throughout the world. Kingsville was
offered funding and a library by-law,
which passed 235-34, was voted upon
during the 1911 Municipal Election.
Windsor architects Crane & Pennington
designed the library, and Kingsville
Council had to approve an additional
$2,000 to add to Carnegies donation to
Figure 23 - Carnegie Library (1913)

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

cover the building costs. The Woodiwiss
Brothers were masons on the project.
For 57 years (from 1868 to 1925) the
northeast corner of Division and Pearl
was owned by the Cooper family.
Cooper was a tailor by trade, and
conducted his business out of his home
on this lot. The Cox Bros. garage
replaced the Cooper house in 1929, and
Ernie Cox built a two-story addition for
his bicycle shop in the 1930s. Over the
years, the one-story garage was home to
a laundromat, Box Office Video, a sports
equipment store and youth centre. This
two-story brick building, which currently Figure 24 - 19 Division St South (2012)
features a dance studio, was built on the
former site of the garage and was completed in 2012.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Materials
Buildings in Kingsville were predominantly constructed using vernacular materials. In the
early decades of development in town, local fieldstone and brick were popular choices for
those who could afford it. With the close proximity to the Miner Brick Yard and Broadwell
Brick and Tile, most structures constructed after 1860 were done so using red brick.
Fieldstone remained a popular choice for foundations.
Wood frame construction dominated the early 20th century construction in town and
many residential or mixed commercial-residential buildings were built using washboard
or board and
batten siding on
stone or brick
foundation
walls. Today
many of these
wood frame
dwellings have
been covered
with siding to
avoid the cost of
restoring the
weathered
materials.
Figure 25 - Epworth Parsonage (1908)

Height and Massing

The height of buildings in downtown ranges from modern one-story flat roofed
construction to the tall three-story modern Kingsville Town Square on Main St West and
Division St South. Most buildings average a respectable height of two-stories.
Similarly, buildings are visibly tighter in massing where construction occurred before the
1940s. This can be attributed to the widespread use of the car and the increased demand
for onsite parking spots for businesses and residential units.
A full list of properties recommended as part of the district can be found in Appendix A.

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Streetscape Context and Assessment

STREET LAYOUT
Division St Souths most notable features are its gentle vertical decline and sheer width.

VEGETATION
The 1.2 kilometer public streetscape is defined by a mature canopy of deciduous trees
from past beautification plans. The importance of the mature vegetation is noticeable in
the iconic postcards of the street. While many of these trees are beginning to reach the
end of their lifetime, the impact of shade on the street has been consistent through the
development of the Town and will require
a conscious effort to retain moving
forward.
The jewel of the towns public spaces is
Lakeside Park. First opened in 1907,
Lakeside Park is an 11.26 acre green
space with 553-foot frontage on Lake
Erie. In response to urbanization and
industrialization of daily life during the
late 1800s and early 1900s, the urban
Figure 26: Postcard showcasing Elm trees

park became the destination of people during

their leisure hours. Following the trend that led
to the development of New York Citys Central
Park, Kingsvilles Municipal Council purchased
from a group of Detroit businessmen the land
currently known as Lakeside Park. Today,
Lakeside Park, with its distinctive assemblage of
natural, historic and cultural resources is a
testament to the vision of the 1907 Kingsville
Council.
Figure 27 - Lakeside Park (1907)

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Recommendations
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The area of Division St South has been subject to the ebb-and-flow of small town growth
for over 150 years. The dynamic evolution of the Town is reflected in the diversity of
architectural styles ranging from modest turn of the century Victorian residences to
Queen Anne Revival to Mid-Century Modern. The visual impact of these buildings is
reflected in their homogenous uses of vernacular building materials such as the red bricks
forged in the local Broadwell and Miner Brick yards. The streetscape is enhanced by the
additional use of modest wooden clapboard siding. The miscellany of uses historically
found in Division St South have provided the framework for sustainable economic
activities and diversification in use by facilitating micro-streetscapes each providing a
unique atmosphere for different land uses. Collectively these micro-streetscapes provide a
community unto itself as well as a wider social gathering place for regional residents as
well as seasonal tourists. Division St South exists as an excellent example of a dynamic,
evolving, cultural landscape with an eclectic mix of both modest vernacular and designed
structures and a strong association to the economic development of the Town of
Kingsville.

BOUNDARY
The recommended boundary for the Division St South District encompasses the entirety
of residential and commercial properties on Division St from Main Street south towards
Lake Erie.

CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.

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Mixed building setback from the streetscape

Corner building orientations to the intersections along Main Street.
Sidewalks and pedestrian oriented intersections
Visible use of local vernacular materials

DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

GENERAL POLICY RECOMMENDED
1. THAT Council consider the adoption of the neighbourhood brand of Division St
South for the marketing of the downtown core;
2. THAT Council consider the adoption of a bylaw to designate the Division St South
Heritage Conservation District under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act;
3. THAT Council consider the adoption of a motion to institute a reserve fund to
provide grants for restoration or revitalization initiatives by private property
owners within the Conservation District;
4. THAT Council consider the suggestion and recommendations of the building
inventory for repair and improvement of buildings in Division St South;
5. THAT Council consider amending the Official Plan schedules to include the
identified properties of interest and the Conservation District Boundary;
6. THAT Council consider amending the downtown Master Plan to be compliant with
the guidelines of the future Heritage Conservation District Plans;
7. THAT Council consider a new sign bylaw specific to the style and characteristics of
the Conservation District;
8. THAT Council consider directing staff to incorporate the Conservation District in
the marketing and economic development plan for the Town Kingsville;
9. THAT Council consider establishing a by-law to limit or reduce commercial truck
traffic on Division St South.

RECOMMENDED CONSERVATION GUIDELINES FOR

PUBLIC SPACES

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All streetscapes should have Carolinian trees planted on the boulevard;

All streetscapes should have public amenities available to pedestrians
o such as benches, garbage cans, lighting, and sidewalks;
These amenities should be constructed of similar design, style and material so as to
create unity in street furniture;

DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

RECOMMENDED CONSERVATION GUIDELINES FOR BUILDINGS

All restoration, rehabilitation or preservation projects shall be conducted in

accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic
Places in Canada;
New construction should be consistent in the academic style of its era;

Figure 28: Fire Insurance Map, 1917

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DIVISION STREET SOUTH CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Next Steps
With the conclusion of the Heritage Conservation District Study, it is at Councils
discretion to determine whether the designation should proceed. The study has indicated
a high level of cultural value unique to the community and has provided the foundation for
a set of guidelines to be adopted into a Conservation Plan.
Should Council wish to proceed with investigating designation a motion from the
Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee will be required before staff can proceed with the
preparation of the Heritage Conservation District Plan and amendments to the Official
Plan.
Similarly to all amendments to the Official Plan, a public consultation period is required in
order to provide the community with the opportunity to contribute feedback regarding
staff recommendations. It is highly recommended that an information package, developed
in consultation with Planning and Development Services, rather than the standard Public
Notice, be circulated either by mail or in the newspaper and a specific webpage with
frequently asked questions be made available on the Town of Kingsville website.
Information packages should include, at minimum, the findings of the Study, a draft
version of the Statement of Significance and a frequently asked questions brochure
regarding the implications of district designation.
Following the public notification process, Council will have the opportunity to determine
whether a designation is appropriate and may adopt a bylaw to recognize the Heritage
Conservation District. Following the passing of the bylaw, any person or public agency
owning property within the district may make a motion to object to the Ontario Municipal
Board. If no objection is made, Council must adopt the Heritage Conservation District Plan
and Guidelines for the Conservation District to become an enforceable easement under
Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act.

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