Heritage Designated Properties

Adelaide Hunter-Hoodless Homestead

Adelaide Hunter-Hoodless Homestead - 359 Blue Lake Road, South Dumfries - Circa 1830

(Designated) By-Law 34-83

Adelaide Hunter was born in this 19th century Neo-Gothic style farmhouse and lived here until she married John Hoodless in 1881. Mrs. Hunter-Hoodless was the President of the Hamilton YMCA. She organized the second branch of the Hamilton VON and the world's first Women's Institute at Stoney Creek. She also introduced the teaching of domestic science in Ontario schools and secured funds for the building of Macdonald Institute now part of University of Guelph. Today the homestead is owned by the Federation of Women's Institutes and operates as a museum.

Arlington Hotel

Arlington Hotel - 106 Grand River Street N., Paris - Circa 1850

(Designated) By-Law 2988

The frame and plaster section of the hotel was erected by the original founder O.D. Bradford and was at one time, one of 17 drinking establishments in Paris which at the time had a population of 2,400. The next owner, John Ealand expanded the hotel adding a yellow brick addition with Romanesque arcades and renamed the hotel the "The Arlington". The hotel fell into a state of disrepair during the 1980's but was purchased and after many years of renovations was reopened in December of 1999 and once again became the centerpiece of the downtown core.

Asa Wolverton House

Asa Wolverton House - 52 Grand River Street S., Paris - Circa 1851

(Designated) By-Law 2364

In 1826 Asa Wolverton settled in Paris from the southern United States, built sawmills and became a prosperous contractor and lumber dealers. In 1850 he served as a councillor on the first council in the village of Paris. In 1851 he built his home at 52 Grand River Street S. in Greek revival style with a southern plantation appearance. The buildings attached to the south side of the main house were the granary, storeroom, carriage house and stables. There apparently are no other known examples of this type of design in Ontario. The property has a small cobblestone smokehouse and once had a cobblestone fence that deteriorated. In 1979 this home became the first property in Paris designated as historically and architecturally significant. It is believed Wolverton built the two plaster houses south of this house and several other smaller houses on the opposite side of the street for his employees, establishing the first residential area in Paris.

Bawcutt Centre

Brant Bowstring Bridge

Brant Bowstring Bridge - Colborne Street E. & Fairchild's Creek - Circa 1931
(Designated) By-Law 198-06

This bridge is the only remaining example of a bowstring bridge in the County of Brant. Slated for replacement, the County Engineers worked with the Heritage Committee to refurbish the bridge instead. The bridge is a "sister bridge" to the bowstring bridge on Main Street in Cambridge (Galt). It was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2006. 

Bryning Manse

Bryning Manse - 676 Mount Pleasant Road, Mt. Pleasant - Circa 1830

(Designated) By-Law 58-02

This circa 1830 Regency-Gothic cottage was the manse of the first Presbyterian and resident minister in the village, Reverend John Bryning. It is the only remaining example of board and batten construction in Mount Pleasant.

Burford Armoury

Burford Armoury - 150 King Street, Burford - Circa 1906

(Designated) By-Law 95-10G

The central tower of this formidable building has a Roman arched window and Gothic detail. It was once used by the 1st Cavalry 2nd 10th Brant Dragoons for training and recreation. It also served as a hospital during the flu epidemic of 1918 and a temporary high school in 1921. 

Charles Arnold House

Charles Arnold House - 2 Arnold Street, Paris - Circa 1840

(Designated) By-Law 2666

Believed to be Charles Arnold's first home, this stucco house with a cobblestone foundation has eyebrow windows. During a recent renovation, the remains of a beehive oven were uncovered in the basement.

Charles Mitchell House

Charles Mitchell House - 16 Broadway Street W., Paris - Circa 1860

(Designated) By-Law 2667

A fine example of cobblestone masonry, this Greek revival house of modest scale was designed by Mitchell and built by Levi Boughton. Visitors will note the cast iron grills covering "stomacher" windows beneath the eaves. A well-matched addition in 1885 housed a doctor's office.

Charles & Margaret O'Neail Residence

Charles & Margaret O'Neail Residence - 899 Keg Lane, Paris - Circa 1861

(Designated) By-Law 180-06

This 1 1/2 storey Regency-style house with rare four cobblestone walls was built by Daniel O'Neail who came to Canada from Ireland in 1830. Mr. O'Neail was the first President of the Paris Agricultural Society and his firstborn, Charles, also served as President in 1870 and in 1880. The O'Neails gave the southwest corner of their property for the building of Keg Lane School in 1868. 

Farrington House

Farrington House - 306 Hwy 53, Cathcart - Circa 1883

(Designated) By-Law 94-52

This house was built by James Farrington and was claimed to be one of the largest homes in Brant County at the time. James Farrington travelled to California during the gold rush and was involved in many successful business enterprises including ranching, gold and silver mining and high plains freighting.

Gouinlock House

Gouinlock House - 42 Broadway Street E., Paris - Circa 1845

(Designated) By-Law 2568

Once the home of John Penman, this cottage displays rubble-stone walls with simulated ashlar parging, a metal roof and an enclosed verandah.

Hamilton Place

Hamilton Place - 165 Grand River Street N., Paris - Circa 1844

(Designated) By-Law 163-01

Norman Hamilton, a wealthy industrialist, brewer, and miller, commissioned architect Andrew J. Minney to design this three storey Neo-Classical, cobblestone house which was constructed by master carpenter Levi Boughton. The verandah roof below the large belvedere conceals second storey windows. Later additions include dormers and a cobblestone wing to the left of the house. Hamilton's noted son-in-law, artist Paul Giovanni Wickson, also lived here. 

Hiram Capron House

Hiram Capron House - 8 Homestead Road, Paris - Circa 1831

(Designated) By-Law 76-91

This plastered frame house was built by Hiram Capron who founded Paris in 1829. It was built on the site of early settler William Holmes' log cabin. 

Howell Block

Howell Block - St. George Community Memorial Hall - 34 - 36 Main Street S., St. George - Circa 1891

(Designated) By-Law 78-91

This block originally consisted of a series of frame buildings that housed several businesses. In 1891 Jonathan Howell replaced the wooden structures with the stone building you see today. In 1924, the building was purchased by Louise Kitchen with the purpose of donating it to the community to honour the service of local citizens who served in WW1. With the help of the community, the building was remodelled into a community hall and on August 20th, 1925, The Hon. Harry Cockshutt, Lieu-Governor of Ontario dedicated the building as a "Memorial to those who fought in the Great War." At the same time he unveiled a plaque with the names of those in the area who fought. On July 1, 2006 a second plaque was unveiled recognizing those from St. George and South Dumfries who fought in WWII and Korea. On January 11, 2016 the Veteran Affairs recognized the building by adding it to its national inventory of Canadian War Memorials. Presently, it is the home of the South Dumfries Historical Society and is the home of the St. George and Area Museum and Archives as well as still being used by local community groups.

James Barker House

James Barker House - 24 Barker Street, Paris 

(Designated) By-Law 29-18

Built for James Barker by Levi Boughton, who was a renowned builder of cobblestone homes and churches in the 1800's, this home is one of the 13 remaining cobblestone structures in the Paris area. Many of these buildings are now historic landmarks, and are maintained with great pride by Paris residents.

John Maus Residence

John Maus Residence - 289 Pinehurst Road, South Dumfries - Circa 1860

(Designated) By-Law 52-86

This fieldstone house of Provincial Scottish Victorian architecture was built for one of the early settlers in this part of the former township. The stone for this residence and carriage house was drawn from a local quarry. This is one of six significant residential buildings featured in the 1875 Atlas of the County of Brant. Today it is a private residence and antique shop.

Kilton Cottage

Kilton Cottage - 33 Oak Avenue, Paris - Circa 1855

(Designated) By-Law 16-92

Built by newlyweds David Patton and Matilda Killips, the name was derived from their family names. Cobblestone was used on the front and sides of this two storey home with fieldstone on the rear walls. Decorative gingerbread work adorns the eaves with eyebrow designs above the windows.

King's Ward Park

King's Ward Park - 31 Broadway Street E., Paris - Circa 1830

(Designated) By-Law 12-93

In the Town's beginning, Hiram Capron had plans in place to use this area known as King's Ward Park as a centre for business and community affairs. In early days, a market and a band shell stood on this site. When the merchants preferred to settle along the banks of the Grand, the park transformed into an idyllic setting much as it is today.

Maus School

Maus School, S.S. No. 11

(Designated) By-Law 24-86A

Located on the same property as the Paris Plains Church, the land for this school was donated by Henry Maus. After the government ended one-room schoolhouses, it was converted to a church and school museum. 

Mayhill Villa/Lewis C. Cope Residence

Mayhill Villa/Lewis C. Cope Residence - 380 Branchton Road, Circa 1867

(Designated) By-Law 111-07

Descendants of the Cope family, for which nearby Copetown was named, lived here. The outstanding features of this magnificent example of an Italianate home are its windows. Two sets of original compound chimneys, common in the Italianate period can be seen on both sides of the house. Etched stained glass in the fanlight and sidelights provides an attractive entry.

McAllister Homestead

McAllister Homestead - 240 Bethel Road, Brant, Circa 1839

(Designated) By-Law 157-19

The site may have been occupied as early as late 1820's before Lewis Burwell first surveyed the area with Joseph Brant. In 1839 Anthony and Susanna McAllister acquired 50 acres and built their first home. They acquired another 50  acres to complete their farm and build a second home, which is the remaining structure. The McAllister's and their farm had a strong influence on the Bethel Community, also operating a blacksmith shop on the north east corner of the site. The property remained in the McAllister family for five generations, only being sold in the last few years.

McPherson School, S.S. #10

McPherson School, S.S. #10 - 283 McPherson School Road (formerly 485 Scenic Drive), Circa 1869

(Designated) By-Law 81-91, 153-13

Built in 1869, the McPherson School S.S. #10 served the educational and community needs of the families in the Blue Lake area of the Township of South Dumfries for 92 years. Built of St. George buff brick and situated on land purchased from Daniel McPherson, the school was built by J. and B. Bonham at a cost of $812. Besides its day-to-day education function, the school was the site of Literary Society activities, spelling matches, debates, Christmas concerts and many community functions, not to mention a later connection to Paris by students becoming one of the participating schools in the Keg Lane School Fair held at Paris Fairgrounds. Architecturally, McPherson School is important for its Neo-Classic style, constructed of local St. George buff brick over a rubble stone foundation.

Mount Pleasant Pioneer Cemetery

Mount Pleasant Pioneer Cemetery - 703 Mount Pleasant Road, Mt Pleasant - Circa 1802

(Designated) By-Law 179-06

Captain Joseph Brant set aside a land grant in 1802 as a public burial place upon the death of Thomas Sturgis, an early pioneer. The cemetery contains the graves of a number of the early pioneer settlers in the area including 12 War of 1812 veterans with familiar names such as Secord, Perrin, Ellis, Burtch and Phelps.

Onondaga Community Hall

Onondaga Community Hall - 42 Brantford Street, Brant 1874 

(Designated) Bylaw 29-16

The building was designed by John Turner, a well-known Architect who created large impressive buildings throughout Southwestern Ontario. The building served as a school for 2 years for students of S.S. #5 Onondaga Township who were waiting for the new Onondaga school to be finished. The Onondaga Hall has served as a focal point and the hive of activity in the community. Built in 1874, this building served as a Council Chamber until 1976.

Optimist Nature Park

Optimist Nature Park - 755 Mount Pleasant Road, Mount Pleasant - Circa 1911

(Designated) By-Law 152-02

The site of the former Haight Carding Mill in the 1840's, the property became the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources first fish hatchery in the 1920s. Now operated by the local Optimist Club, the park comprises 23 acres, has three large ponds and is open to the public.

Paris Plains Church

Paris Plains Church, West Dumfries Chapel/Maus School - 709 Paris Plains Church Road, Circa - 1845

(Designated) By-Law 24-86A

The church is a fine example of cobblestone construction introduced to the Paris area by Levi Boughton. The church was built by free labour of its own congregation using stones from nearby fields. Services were discontinued in 1921 but the building was restored in 1948 as a memorial to the pioneers of the community.

Paris Plains Cemetery 

Paris Plains Cemetery – 705 Paris Plains Church Road, Circa 1845

(Designated) By-law 84-23

The cemetery is a representative example of a 19th century cemetery designed in the rural cemetery style and is linked to the history of Paris Plains Church and of Paris itself. Many of the individuals buried in the cemetery were significant local individuals who contributed greatly to the early development of the community, including veterans of the War of 1812, and members of the Maus, LaPierre, and Boughton families.

Rev. Thomas Henderson House

Rev. Thomas Henderson House - 22 Church Street - Circa 1842-1845

(Designated) By-Law 2569

This Regency style cottage is cobblestone front and sides with a rubble stone construction at the rear and cut stone quoining at the corners. In 1870 Alexander Graham Bell was a guest for several months in this house, while his parents' home was under construction on Tutela Heights Road, near Brantford.

St. George School

St. George School - 39 Beverly Street W., St. George - Circa 1893

(Designated) By-Law 47-86

Built in 1823 the original school for boys only was a log building at the end of Lorimer Street. This one was built in 1893 - 1894 to replace a small red brick school building located on Thompson Street (formerly West Street). This building remained in use as a school until another one was built behind it in 1973. Today it is a children's nursery school and day care centre.

Stone Railway Bridge

Stone Railway Bridge - Glen Morris Road E. and Branchton Road - Circa 1854

(Designated) By-Law 74-87

This cut stone bridge was constructed by the Great Western Railway Company over Glen Morris Road E. to link Harrisburg with Galt. A beautiful example of masonry work, its double arches with keystones allow both the road and stream to pass under it.

Sunnyside

Sunnyside - 13 Main Street S., St. George - Circa 1887

(Designated) By-Law 30-81

Constructed in 1887, this Romanesque Revival mansion was built as a residence and doctor's office. The third floor contained a ballroom. Dr. E. E. Kitchen and his wife had no children and lived here until Dr. Kitchen died in 1913. It passed through the hands of several relatives and other owners until in 1957, it was converted to a nursing home. It was purchased in 1979 by South Dumfries Township for its municipal office. After the township was amalgamated into Brant County, it was sold by auction and has been extensively restored and is used once again as a private residence.

Black Walnut

Black Walnut - Juglans Nigra - 160 Jerseyville Road, Former Township of Brantford

(Designated) By-Law 57-12

Located on private property, and unable to be viewed, this tree is estimated to be at least 100 years old and possibly much older. The tree is at least 65 feet tall with a trunk circumference of 17 feet and a crown spread of 110 ft. in diameter. This massive tree is believed to be the largest in the County and dwarfs the farmhouse located beside it.

Camperdown Elm

Camperdown Elm - Ulmus glabra camperdownii - 19 Beverly St. E., St. George

(Designated) By-Law 56-12

During a period of early development of this tree, there were only 1,000 known to exist in the world from cuttings of a mutant contorted branch found growing along the ground in the forest of Camperdown House in Scotland, U.K. Because this tree is over 100 years old, it is believed to be one of the original 1,000 trees developed in Scotland. Today they are more common but because the cuttings are grafted onto the trunks of either Wych, Dutch, Siberian or English Elms they are all susceptible to the Dutch Elm disease which has devastated native species of elms in North America and Europe. 

Copper Beech

Copper Beech - Fagus sylvatica cuprea - 631 Mt. Pleasant Road, Mt. Pleasant

(Designated) By-Law 56-12

Located on the front lawn of this private property, this tree can easily be viewed from the street. This copper beech is not native to Canada and is believed to have been planted by Abram Cook in the 1860's along with several edible nut trees.