PUSLINCH – Township staff and the heritage advisory committee have identified 19 historic properties in Puslinch they hope to have designated this year.
Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, has started the clock on heritage designations.
Municipalities have two years to have listed properties officially designated – this is year two of that timeline – or they can’t be designated for another five years.
On Dec. 13, committee coordinator Linda Emery presented to council a list of 19 priority properties the heritage committee feels are historically significant and deserve protection:
- 4856 Sideroad 10 N;
- 6714 Concession 1;
- 4162 Highway 6;
- 7618 Leslie Rd. W;
- 8 Brock Rd. N.;
- 413 Arkell Rd.;
- 6 Victoria St.;
- 7839 Wellington Rd. 34;
- 56 Queen St.;
- 4726 Watson Rd. S.;
- 4855 Pioneer Trail;
- 4347 Concession 11;
- 4677 Watson Rd. S.;
- 69 Queen St.;
- 6592 Concession 1;
- 7751 Maltby Rd. E.;
- 6981 Concession 4;
- 4556 Sideroad 20 N; and
- 7094 Concession 1.
This early example of a one-storey log house, located at 56 Queen Street in Morriston, features a plain horizontal log façade that was chinked with moss or plaster, and small-paned windows and a central entrance. Image from Dec. 13 council package
Some of the buildings were home to original settlers of Puslinch – names like Donald Ferguson, Paul Winer, Thomas Arkell, John Calfas and Peter Stewart.
They include large stone homes, small log cabins and one-time industrial sites now homes or businesses.
And unlike the concentration of historic properties in urban centres, these properties are dotted in hamlets and throughout the countryside.
Emery said the committee will review the draft statements of cultural heritage value or interest for completeness and consult with the Puslinch Historical Society and the Wellington County Museum and Archives for additional information.
Staff will also engage with property owners to ensure they understand the process. Then statements of cultural heritage value or interest will be sent to the township’s peer reviewer.
Staff will then bring a report to council with the intention of designating these priority properties, Emery said.
This building, at 69 Queen Street in Morriston, stands as one of the last few industrial buildings in the township from the early 19th century. Image from Dec. 13 council package
