BRAMPTON CARNEGIE LIBRARY

Spotlight On Designated
Heritage Properties

Feature by Robert B. Hulley
Originally published in The Brampton Heritage Times

Being a relatively newcomer to Brampton, I was fascinated by the rather elegant building on the S/E corner of Queen St. East and Chapel St. and assumed it was a former bank, post office or other government edifice, built around the turn of the century. Recently, I had an opportunity to look into the background of the building and realized that it was none of these, but rather a very special building in Brampton’s cultural history. As it turned out this building was not only the first permanent home for Brampton’s public library, but as the cornerstone boldly indicates, it was built in 1906, or 100 years ago this year. It was one of the 2,509 libraries built around the world by grants from the Scottish born American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. In addition, it was also designated as a “Heritage Property” by the City of Brampton largely because of its unique representation of the “Beaux Arts” style of architectural design.

The presence of a Carnegie Library was always a special feature of the towns and cities wherever they were built. As T. W. H. Leavitt the Inspector of Public Libraries for the Ontario Department of Education wrote in his 1906 report, “In more than one locality the Carnegie Library is gradually becoming the natural local centre of the community. Citizens are proud of their building and its surroundings. It rapidly makes for itself a place in the affections of the community and becomes the centre of local interests; as the fountain of intellectual life and agent of a common culture it fills many wants felt by the old and young, gradually its power for good is recognized and citizens willingly cooperate in its improvement”.

Since the building is now closed to the public and used for other purposes, I was interested in seeing what vestiges of the original library remained and arranged to see through the building. I was anxious to do this because Andrew Carnegie and his assistant had set the standard for library design that lasted well beyond their lifetimes. This was probably more by accident than by choice since Carnegie was so concerned about the prudent use of his money that he, or his assistants, would examine every detail of the library’s plans and layout before they agreed to the grant. They would make suggestions on how the layout could be improved or redesigned. He would often have the plans vetted by some of the world’s most renowned librarians and architects and by so doing he not only brought international library standards to small town Ontario, but all over the English speaking world.

While the exterior of every Carnegie library differed, the interior functions remained very much the same. Brampton’s library was no different; it consisted of two large well lit reading rooms, a reception desk, with book stacks being easily accessible to the librarian and her assistants. The basement contained a lecture hall as well as a number of rooms for educational purposes.

Unfortunately while the exterior of the Brampton Library has changed little since the day it was built, other than the addition of a new wing in 1952, the interior with a few minor exceptions, has been completely remodeled into office space. The only exceptions were the entrance and the west reading rooms which still have their soaring oak fluted plaster crown moulding and an elegant fan shaped “fish scale” leaded window over the main entrance. But little else of its former glory, or use, remains. But, even though Brampton’s old Library has found another use, 74 of the original 111 Ontario Carnegie Libraries remain which are still used as functioning libraries.* The Brampton Carnegie Library ceased to operate when it was replaced in 1958 by the then new Central library, which is now known as the Four Corners Branch.

All is not lost for the old Brampton Carnegie Library building but its new use would probably cause Andrew Carnegie to smile and be proud of his accomplishments. You see, it is now serves to house Brampton’s Information Technology Department which puts it in the very forefront of what Peter Newman calls “a fast pace technological world gone global.”

*For a list of existing Carnegie Library buildings in Ontario see “The Best Gift, a record of the Carnegie Libraries in Ontario” by Margaret Beckman, Stephen Langmead and John Black.

Mr. Hulley is a Building Historian and Photographer as well as being a member of the Brampton Heritage Board.

November 30, 2007

Brampton's Curry Family

The Brampton Curry Family
By Robert (Bob) Hulley

James Curry (sometimes spelled Currie) was born in Donegal, Ireland and immigrated to this country in 1816. He married Ann(e) Morrow formerly of County Down, Ireland. (1) They settled on Lot 10, Concession VI, (WCR) Chinguacousy Township, Peel County, Clergy Reserve Land in 1818 where he built a homestead, and a saw mill.

They had seven children, Martha, Mary, Jane, Annie, John, Samuel and James A. They also received a Crown Grant for Lot 12, Concession VI, (WCR) in 1819, on which he built a residence and farm buildings. He then brought his elderly parents from Ireland to live with them. Both parents are said to have been buried on the farm. (2)

One of the sons, James A. Curry was a Magistrate for the County of Peel (1) and was a Captain in charge of the Norval Volunteer Company (a militia unit). He, and the Company, went to Niagara in 1866 to repel the Fenian raiders. (4) He was awarded the Silver Medal for his participation in the conflict. (2)

Fenianism is a name given to the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). Their objective was to establish an independent territory for Ireland where an “Irish Republican in exile” could live without being subject to British “rule of law”. While originating in the United States they were not officially recognized or sanctioned by the United States government. They made several raids into both Upper and Lower Canada, but were repulsed in all instances. (3)

The Village of Norval is located in Esquesing Township, Halton County, but adjoins that portion of Chinguacousy Township where the former Curry properties are located. Both areas however act, for all intents and purposes, as though they were a continuous part of the Norval Village community.

Norval was very proud of its Militia as with other matters of mutual interest. On festive occasions the Militia would put on a special performance for the celebration. For example, on the Queen’s birthday in 1865, the shops were closed and the Volunteers, 38 strong went through their drill and marched through the Village. In the afternoon there was a shooting match.

When Captain Curry and the Volunteers returned home from “the front” after the Fenian Raid, they were given all the honors the Community could bestow. They were met at the Georgetown station and a feast was held in their honor, with local politicians and clergy making speeches and the young people danced all night. (5)

The present owner of the land on which the Curry Mill stood says that he has been told that the militia used the surrounding flats on his property for drill purposes and the adjacent bluffs for target practice.

The house where Captain Curry, lived still exists and is located at 10315 Winston Churchill Road. In her book, Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, gives a detailed and insightful look into the property including renovation made to the house and home over the years. The farm was called “Lilac Hill” and served as her family home for many years. “It was built in 1828 [by James A. Curry]. Superficial changes have been made to the house but the original structure is solid”. (6) The property is listed as a cultural heritage resource on the City of Brampton’s Municipal Registry of heritage properties. (7)

November 12, 2007



Notes:
1) 1877 Atlas of the County of Peel. Including the drawing of James A. Curry shown above
2) Perkins Bull History Collection
3) www.doyle.com.au/fenian_raids.htm
4) Norval History 1820 – 1950 by Joan (Browne) Carter, Self Published
5) Norval on the Credit, by Reverend Richard Ruggle, Press Porcepic, ISBN 0-88878-021-4
6) To Walk a Country Mile, by Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, Moulin Publishing Limited. ISBN 1- 896867-03-0
7) City of Brampton, Planning, Design and Development Department

Archeologists Search Historic Property

Archeologists search historic property for lost graves
The Brampton GuardianThursday October 18 2007


BRAMPTON -
Archaeologists will search a local historic property today and tomorrow in search of a long lost gravesite and the oldest homestead in Brampton.The McVeans were one of the founding families of the Toronto Gore Township and archeologists from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) will search the former McVean farm site, which is located on Claireville Conservation Area land, for two days. Descendents of the McVean family will help with the dig, including John Harrison, who is flying from Winnipeg for the search.The McVean family farm was established in 1819. The Double English barn has been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, but the site of the original farmstead has disappeared, along with the gravesite of Alexander McVean Jr.If the homestead site is found, it will be the oldest in Toronto Gore and if the site of the grave is confirmed, it will be the oldest known European gravesite in Brampton.Bob Hulley, local historian and president of the Brampton Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), sparked the idea of a dig when he stumbled upon what is believed to be the gravesite."It was quite by accident that I found the grave," Hulley said. "I was looking for the site of the original homestead and knew the long lost grave mentioned in George S. Tavender's history of the area had to be close by. I literally stumbled on it. I then asked several experts in the field to look at it and they all agreed that something was there, since it had all the hallmarks of an early Methodist burial site. Since that time, Margie Kenedy, one of the TRCA archeologists, found what she believes to be a faint cross carved in a stone near the head of the grave."A descendent of Alexander McVean— Kathleen Ingleson of Inglewood, who is his great, great granddaughter is pleased with the dig."It is the least my cousins, John and Larry Harrison, and I can do. We all benefited from the farm and are happy to be able to share the heritage with the community," she said.

Myths about Real Estate

REALTOR® EDGE— September issue


FEATURE by Robert B. Hulley

CORRECTING THREE PREVALENT MYTHS about HERITAGE PROPERTIES

Heritage properties are becoming an area of focus for some Ontario real estate salespeople and brokers. In Brampton (at time of writing), for example, there are no fewer than 400 listed heritage properties on the municipal inventory.

As sure as the sun will come up tomorrow there are three myths about heritage properties that prevail. Unfortunately, as the market for heritage homes increases this will do more harm than good, so it serves the industry well to clear them up.

Dr. Robert Shipley of the University of Waterloo looked into one of the most pervasive of the myths– that a ‘Heritage designation of a house results in reduced value and makes it harder to sell.’ Shipley investigated the sales of 2,707 properties designated under the Ontario Heritage Act over the past 20 years which were located in 24 communities across Ontario.

Did he find the myth to be true? Absolutely not, what he did find was that heritage designation actually helped to maintain and even improve market value. Here’s what he found:

· Some 74% of individually designated properties equaled or bettered the average property value trend in the community.
· The rate of sales among individually designated properties was equal to, or greater than, the general rate of sales of properties within their communities.
· Designated properties tend to resist downturns in the ambient market.

On top of this, the owners of designated buildings can benefit from expert advice from municipal heritage committees and preservation staff, and they may also be eligible for financial incentives such as grants, special loans and tax relief.

At a time when we are all conscious of waste management, the second myth, that ‘It is cheaper to demolish and start anew than to restore a heritage building’ can be a real puzzler. Dr. George Gorgolewsky at the School of Architectural science at Ryerson University says, “It’s not cheaper from an environmental point of view, given that 35% of the contents our landfill sites is building material waste.”

From a construction standpoint, historic preservation has several advantages over new construction. For example, structural costs on an old building usually made up five to 12 percent of the total project costs, half the average expenditure for new construction. And, Charles K. Hoyt, writing in the Architectural Record said, “many older buildings have unique and desirable signature features, such as ornate windows and finishes, high ceilings, etc. that would be prohibitively expensive to create in new buildings.”

This brings us to the third and last myth about heritage properties: ‘Old technology is not as efficient as modern replacements.’ Paul Howley, a Stratford builder, who does work on heritage buildings, disagrees. “Old houses were designed to last a long time,” he said. They are well designed, well constructed, and structurally sound. And often the retrofit with modern materials is only an improvement for the short term.

“When people rip out beautiful old sash windows and replace them with vinyl windows, they are not getting much improvement.” And, he said, the modern materials used often won’t last as long as if you properly maintain and repair the old material.

Trade in heritage properties may increase as cities resolve to preserve their legacy. So before the sun sets on another day let’s resolve not to deal in myths about them. Can we afford to do otherwise?

Robert Hulley is President of the Brampton Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and a retired former real estate and mortgage broker and appraiser.

Grand River Bridges: Steel Truss and Concrete Bowstring Bridges

Robert (Bob) Hulley

Today when driving on Ontario’s modern highways we hardly know when we are crossing a bridge because most modern superstructures are beneath the road surface and out of sight. In the blink of an eye we could have crossed even moderate large rivers or streams. Of course, it wasn’t always that way and the graceful arches and steel configurations of bridges built around the turn of the last century were all visible and lent an interesting break to what might have been an otherwise rather mundane trip. Many bridges acted as landmarks, almost like huge mile markers to the seasoned motorist.

In East Garafraxa Township, for example, just to the west of Orangeville, Ontario, both a Steel Truss and a Concrete Bowstring bridge still exist and stand large and visible. No one could fail to realize that they were crossing the Grand River on either one of these distinctive and unique bridges.

Because they are only one concession apart both bridges can be seen by taking a loop either by heading south from County Road 9 or by heading north from County Road 3. The bridges are little used today because the roads leading to them are unpaved, and few travelers other than local residents and a few sightseers have any reason to use them. It’s almost worth a side trip just to see the bridges. The rural setting adds intrigue to their majesty which, in their time, were considered to be engineering masterpieces.

The older of the two is a steel truss bridge located on the 13th Line. It was built in 1908 by the Hamilton Bridge Works Company. Wood gave way to steel in the mid 1800’s and various forms of long span steel bridges were developed to fill the needs of the railways. As a consequence steel truss bridges also became the design of choice on southern Ontario roads during the same period.

The 12th Line Bridge is known as a single span six panel Pratt style riveted medium weight bridge. It measures 124.2 feet in length with a roadbed of 16.8 feet. It has additional diagonals on the two central panels. The top cords run parallel to the roadbed.

Its connections are riveted and probably were sub-assembled at a factory in Hamilton and shipped to the site by rail and then riveted in place under the supervision of the Company’s Engineer. It now sits on concrete abutments which at some stage probably replaced or covered the original stone work. The bridge is unusual in that its beams are constructed from two “U” beams with steel plates on top and “V” lacing below. Another unique feature is that it has the maker’s plaque still remains on the portal bracing which in addition to the Company’s name gives their location and date of construction. Unfortunately, this information is partly obscured by a height restriction sign.

In 1904 just prior to the 13th line steel bridge being constructed a Frenchman designed an all concrete bowstring bridge. The idea was simple; two long arches would continuously encase the roadbed by wrapping the vertical members down and under and becoming part of the deck. The concrete arch bridge has a number of advantages over steel. It was cheaper to build, could be built on a skew and did not require deep abutments. The first bridge of this type to be built in Canada was in 1909 on the Middle Road across the Etobicoke Creek near Toronto. By the mid twenties some 65 bridges of this type were built and most were located in Ontario. By World War II, however, the construction of concrete bowstring bridges had all but ended. The Ontario Department of Highways for example, built its last two 1931.

Although neither the name of the builder and Consulting Engineer of the 12th Line Bowstring Bridge are known, Frank Barber was active in designing this type of bridge at that time. Contractors by the name of Bowman and Conner built a number of similar bridges in adjoining Wellington County. It is likely that either one or both were involved in the construction of this bridge.

The multi span concrete Bowstring Bridge on the 12th Line is unique. It was built at the height of the great depression in 1923. More than likely it was built as part of the Government’s “make work” program to prime the pump and get the economy working again. In addition, the bridge is a rare design since it is a multi span double arch bridge built on a skew and supported by a concrete pier in the center.

For the most part both bridge types are disappearing from Ontario’s highways and byways. I personally miss the occasional distraction while driving along our roads and I would encourage our road engineers to promote the adaptive reuse of these bridges rather than having them removed when they need upgrading.

As Michael B. Vaughn, Q.C., Chairman, Ministry of Culture and Communications, Conservation Review Board wrote when handing down a heritage hearing decision, “There are many cases in Ontario and elsewhere where it has been found that it is not appropriate to sacrifice our built heritage on the alter of traffic efficiency.”

Black bowstring bridge is worth saving

Black bowstring bridge is worth saving
Thursday August 2 2007
Robert Hulley

A new bridge is being constructed to replace the bowstring bridge on County Road 25 just north of Grand Valley

Time is running out to save the Black bowstring concrete bridge from the wrecker's ball. Located on County Road 25 just to the north of Grand Valley, the bridge has served as a landmark in the community since it was built in 1930. The decision to replace the bowstring bridge with a modern facility was taken in the belief that a new bridge would be more functional and cost effective than restoring the existing bridge.
There are however, many heritage aspects connected with the existing bowstring bridge that go beyond financial considerations. No one, for example, would consider demolishing the Orangeville Town Hall or the old Carnegie Library in Shelburne because they are old and would cost more to restore than to build new structures. Why would cost effectiveness take precedence over preserving the heritage aspects of the Black bowstring bridge?

The existing bridge is one of the few remaining bowstring bridges in Ontario and is therefore, of local, provincial, and possibly national interest. It is a unique remnant and early example of highway bridge development in Ontario and the Black bowstring bridge is a rare example of the larger double lane bowstring bridges used by highway engineers at the time. It is one of the last bridges of this style to be built before the advent of the concrete arch bridge. It is a landmark in the community and a focal point of the surrounding landscape. It is also forms part of the Grand River Heritage River system.

The bridge is an integral and key part of the heritage character of the area. One has only to talk to the residents of Grand Valley to realize the important part the bridge has played in their everyday life. Harold Atkinson, who was seven at the time, vividly remembers the day all the school children from Number 6 school, located across the road from the bridge, were assembled to witness the ribbon cutting and pomp and ceremony the day the bridge was opened. He also remembers the day Morris Montgomery climbed to the highest point on one of the bridge's arches and stood on his head much to the astonishment and delight of the gathered crowd. Atkinson is quick to add that Montgomery went on to become a step dancing champion.

Atkinson also recalls how the townsfolk would make use of the ice below the bridge in winter as a covered skating rink.

"For some reason the snow never accumulated under the bridge", he recalled. "As children we would take our skates to school and at lunch we would don our skates and have a great time."

Pearl Newsom, a local historian, recalls the reason the bridge was originally constructed.

"In 1928 there used to be a wooden bridge that spanned the Grand at this point. It was built in 1903 by a man by the name of Black, and served the community well until a bus loaded with soldiers returning to Camp Borden, caused the bridge to collapse under its weight."

The local townspeople hastened to the rescue, including some of the village's eligible young ladies. Wayne Townsend, curator of the Dufferin County Museum recalls Velma Rounding telling him of how one of the soggy soldiers was so taken by his pretty rescuer that he eventually married her.

He also recalls, as a young man growing up in the area, that there was a large deep pool at the southeast end of the bridge. It made an excellent swimming hole that the locals loved to frequent on warm summer days. It also provided a way to show their prowess and fearlessness. Anyone brave enough to climb up one of the bridge arches and dive into the pool below earned his or her bragging rights. When I asked him if he ever did it, he proudly said, "Yes, that's when I became a man!"

So what is to become of the Black bowstring bridge now that its replacement is nearing completion? Plans are underway to demolish it, but is this the most practical step to take? After all one has only to look at the West Montrose covered bridge to see how another community cared for their heritage. Also, the City of Brampton recently won the coveted Heritage Canada Foundation's 2007 Achievement Award for restoring its prized Bowstring Bridge.

And, there is the 1991 case where the Township of Wellington unsuccessfully requested that the bowstring bridge in Eden Mills not be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act so that it too might be demolished. The Conservation Review Board of the Ministry of Culture and Communications at that time recommended among other things that, "There are many cases in Ontario and elsewhere where it has been found that it is not appropriate to sacrifice our built heritage on the alter of traffic efficiency." The county once again tried unsuccessfully in 1989 to have this decision overturned. At that time, one of the boards' recommendations "urged all parties to work towards a result which identifies and respects the inherent heritage components and value of this structure."

Retention and reworking of the existing bridge would have been the most desired outcome, but at this stage that is not going to happen. But is it too late to do anything with the old Black Bowstring Bridge other than to have it demolished?

According to David J. Cumming in his book, Discovering Heritage Bridges on Ontario's Roads, "adaptive reuse of bridges is only in its infancy in Ontario. Nevertheless realistic and feasible actions to protect bridges are encouraged by the prospect of reuse. Scenic lookout points, fishing spots, sitting areas and picnic sites are all potential new uses for bridges."

Particular sites in Ontario may well serve as excellent areas to show old and new together. Imaginative interpretative displays illustrating the various techniques of bridge building at different periods of time are particularly advantageous in entertaining and educating the tourist and scholars alike.

Perhaps what is needed now is a stay of execution until all aspects of the Black Bridge can be evaluated to consider and insure the sympathetic treatment of our heritage.

Looking back at Brampton's first hospital

Looking back at Brampton's first hospital
The Brampton Guardian Friday July 6 2007
PAM DOUGLAS, Staff Writer

A sketch of Brampton's first hospital.

BRAMPTON - The history hidden in Brampton's downtown core still has some surprises left in it.
A local historian has just revealed that, contrary to current written history, Peel Memorial Hospital's opening in 1924 with 12 beds did not mark the start of the very first hospital in Brampton.
In fact, it was three years earlier that a plucky nurse named Venus Sawyer arrived in Brampton from England, bought a house at 78 Mill St. N. and opened a 15-bed private hospital.
Sawyer's hospital came at a time when the community-- with a population of 4,527-- was in dire need of such an institution, and it was busy. In the first two years, 61 babies were born in the house-turned-hospital, 59 operations performed by local doctors looking for a more sterile environment than a patient's kitchen table, and 58 medical cases were handled.
You would never know it by looking at the building now. Although some long-time residents know the home's history, it has remained an unintentional secret for the most part. The house is not listed on the city's heritage inventory, and is not even red-flagged.
"This building is extremely historic," said Bob Hulley, the man who was alerted to the building's history by life-long resident Dean Gowling. Hulley has researched the building and wants to find out more about it. Much of his information was supplied to him by Gowling, whose brother was born in the house and whose mother kept detailed notes about early Brampton.
Hulley and current homeowner Kevin Eggett are anxious to hear from Bramptonians who may have stories or information to share about Sawyer, her family or the Mill Street house.
The passage of time has allowed her to slip into anonymity, but Hulley wants to rectify that.
"We intend to have a memorial plaque placed on the building and, as a member of the Brampton Heritage Board, move to have it listed and designated as a heritage site," Hulley said. "This is the least we could do to honour Venus Sawyer's contribution to medical advancement in the City of Brampton."
Eggett is enthusiastic about having the home recognized, and hopes to do what he can to restore some of its features.
The house is on the northeast corner of Mill and Joseph Streets. The two-storey clapboard house was built in 1902 for Alexander Hunter, who worked at the Brampton Milling Company down the street.
It has been reincarnated more than once over the years. The hospital transitioned into a nursing home, and was later sold to Jim Archdekin and his wife, who lived in it for a while and then later divided it into three rental apartments, which it remains to this day. Archdekin later became Brampton's 35th mayor, serving from 1970 to 1982.
But it was Venus Sawyer's contributions to early Brampton that Hulley wants to find out more about. She was a familiar sight in the town, riding her bicycle around, and she married a cab driver by the name of Davis.
"I think it's a terrific story of this woman. She should be recognized in some way. She's like Florence Nightingale."
A newspaper interview with Venus Sawyer's niece, Anna Wing, a British actress who appeared in the popular British TV series The EastEnders many years ago, noted Sawyer brought 600 babies into the world in Brampton. She did it using the latest techniques in hospital sanitation and cleanliness, which she learned at a London school of nursing during a time when Florence Nightingale was spreading the word about reducing patient deaths.
Brampton's history will need to be rewritten in light of this new information, and the timing--- on the eve of the opening of Brampton's next generation hospita-- makes the discovery that much more interesting, Hulley said.
He said it is a prime example of how history needs to be talked about and documented.
"Most people would look at that (the house) and say it's a piece of junk. It's far from it," he said.
But city officials can't do it all by themselves.
"It really troubles me," he said. "We shouldn't just assume that the city knows about heritage properties. It comes back again to public involvement."
Then again, "A lot of people feel that nobody cares," he said.
However, plenty of people do care, he said.
Hulley would like to see the city start a practice of posting a sign on any property for which a demolition permit has been requested, much like the way a sign is posted when a rezoning is requested.
"Before any demolition takes place, there should be a sign put on the property," he said. The same as the signs that go up when a re-zoning application is filed. Those signs are up for months before."
That way, if a property, like the one on Mill Street, is an undiscovered heritage gem, someone in the community who knows it might call and let the city know.
As president of the Brampton branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), Hulley is working with that organization to get the idea adopted by municipalities across the province.
Such a system would ensure that, if there are any other buildings like the one on Mill Street, they will not be lost forever.
"It's not listed. It's not even red-flagged," Hulley said of the Mill Street house. "The law has a loophole in it."