Councillors here have no qualms about putting forward a notice to designate 37 Henderson Street under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The difference here, is the designation is something the property owner wants.
On May 19, councillors agreed with a motion that the township state its intention to designate the property municipally known as 37 Henderson Street, to be of cultural heritage value and/or interest pursuant to Section 29 (Part IV) of the Ontario Heritage Act.
A report to council noted that both staff and the heritage committee conducted a cultural heritage evaluation of the property and determined that it is worthy of designation.
Description of Historic Place
37 Henderson Street, Elora, also known as “The Hollis House”, is a pre-confederation single detached dwelling and considered significant because it is a unique example of a simple two-storey, three-bay, hipped roof dwelling built of local soft brick with Georgian-style elements that reinforce the principles of symmetry and solidity.
These elements are evident in the symmetrical façade and simple design and ornamentation.
The Elora Observer Newspaper identified two sources for locally manufactured soft brick, Preston’s Brick Yard (on the farm of business man and developer Mr. David Foote) and Conrad Doerbeckker’s in Salem.
Local stone and soft brick were the primary building materials in Elora prior to the arrival of imported building material after the first railroad service in 1875.
The home has double hung windows with radiating brick voussoirs over windows and front door and a hipped roof over the original house and vestibule that continues over the more recent two storey addition. On the east side of the original portion of the building, near the current front door and in a place of prominence, hangs the original school bell.
The historic front door circa 1845 is not original to the building. A sympathetically designed 2 storey addition was added in 2008, replacing a previous two storey rear addition on the same footprint. The adjoining mudroom and garage were added in 2009.
Historical/Associative Value
The building is one of sevenstructures constructed in this neighbourhood in the first decade of Elora’s history.
Built in 1865 for Arthur Hollis, it originally housed a dwelling on the lower level and a one room private school for 20 students on the upper floor.
The school closed in 1870 when provincial law required approved schools.
The property is significant for its association with many of Elora’s most influential citizens, including: Mary Hollis, private school teacher (Arthur’s wife) taught “the usual braches of a liberal education” there from 1865-1870; Robert Dalby (owner 1875-1884) who built the prominent flat-iron style Dalby House, a large Elora hotel and current landmark on Metcalfe Street; William Power (owner 1887-1942) who built the Merchant’s Bank on the southeast corner of Geddes and Colborne Streets and was a general agent for Massey- Harris implements; John Rennie (tenant 1907-1910), chair maker; Joseph Walser (tenant 1910-1914), furniture manufacturer, who moved to Elora in 1910 and established the Elora Furniture Company by building the 2 storey stone Little Folks Furniture Factory on the south side of the Grand River; Stuart Ross and E.G. Cumming (1920-1945); the James Ross Estate (1945-1968); and Colin Fox and Carol Bermingham-Fox (owners 2004 to present). Colin is an acclaimed Canadian actor, who performed on Broadway, at the Stratford and Shaw Festivals, and in feature films and television, while Carol is a retired psychiatric nurse clinician.
The Hollis House is significant because it was built by the Stafford family of Elora, who built a significant number of homes, institutions and commercial buildings during a key development period in Elora from 1855-1955. The Elora Carnegie Library, St. John’s Anglican Church and both Methodist and Presbyterian manses are other examples of Stafford family construction.
The building is also significant for its contribution to institutional life in this part of Elora as it was one of three private schools in this area in Elora’s early development. The Hollis House operated as a school from 1865-1870. In the 1870’s, just down the street at 201 Smith Street, the “Misses Gilbert” rented the premises for a Boarding and Day School for young ladies and in the 20th century Jim Chalmers opened a private boy’s school, St. John’s, at 33 Henderson Street. Through their businesses in Elora during the 19th century, the owners of 37 Henderson Street provided loans, agricultural implements, mills, fairs and recreational venues for area farmers. Thomas Connon’s 1867 photograph of 37 Henderson Street abutting the cattle auction (on the grounds of present day Hoffer Park) records an important turning point in the business history of Elora, namely the location of the Market Square and the relocation and growth of Elora’s Central Business District, from its original planned location on the south side of the Grand River to its present location on the north side.
The Hollis House is a local landmark at the south terminus of the view corridor along Smith Street. It is surrounded by several nearby church structures. This intersection was a hub of social activity in Elora’s early days.
Description of Heritage Attributes to be protected
– Height and massing of original 1865 two storey building
– Low pitched hipped roof
– Locally manufactured soft red brick exterior of the original building
– Brick radiating voussoirs over doors and windows of original building
– Size and pattern of door and window openings on original building
– Brick vestibule and original wood windows on the Henderson St. façade
