Municipal Heritage Register

This house was built in 1889 for Donald McInnis, a Wingham merchant. Over a period of 56 years, from 1889 to 1934, the house was successively owned by four families (McInnis, Duffield, Heath and Lockhart).

The house is of superior architectural merit, having the best restored and conserved exterior of any house of its style and period in Wingham at the time of designation. It is of historic interest because of its association with a prominent early Wingham merchant and later with a scion of the first family to settle in this part of Huron County.

Section 33 of The Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O., 1980, Chapter 337, shall apply only to the following exterior elevations:

1. Those facades visible from Centre Street and Patrick Street in the said Town of Wingham.

The land for erection of a War Memorial was selected over four other sites by a committee of council in conjunction with a committee of the Wingham Lions Club in 1922 and a debenture issue for the purpose was approved by the electorate in the election at the end of the same year.

The bronze monument was unveiled by Sir Arthur Currie on August 26, 1924. Two bronze column lights, erected by the Women’s Patriotic Society were turned on for the first time on November 11, 1924.

The property selected already contained a bench mark monument placed by the Geodetic Survey of Canada in 1917. Subsequent additions to the War Memorial commemorate the Second World War and the Korean War.

This property has come to be one of the most revered landmarks in the Town of Wingham.

The dwelling was constructed for Helen E. McInnis, widow of Donald McInnis, builder, of the designated Heritage Property located at 302 Centre Street, apparently in 1901. The design and construction were the subject of contemporary admiration and, like the earlier McInnis house, was copied by the famous Wingham builder, Wiliam Rintoul, for further construction.

The building features a triple composite gable window, sculpture-shingled gables, an ornately pillared, bracketed and pedimented corner verandah, an occulus window and original window pediments and siding. This house is one of the best surviving examples, of the period, of a dwelling of modest dimensions.

This building, probably constructed in 1878-1897, is one of the oldest buildings remaining in nearly original form in the first registered subdivision in Wingham. Its use has always been prominent in the commercial, industrial and social fabric of the town.

A large and imposing brick building, corniced and bracketed in metal fabricated trim, dominates one of the main intersections of Wingham and is one of its most visible and attractive structures.

Section 33 of The Ontario Heritage Act, 1974, shall apply only to the following exterior elevations of the Kent Block:

1. The East or Josephine Street facade of said building, measuring approximately thirty-one (31) feet in length;
2. The South or Victoria Street facade of said building, measuring approximately ninety-seven and one-half (9712) feet in length.

The building is architecturally unique in the area. Construction of the red brick in the baronial style, its towers, spire and crow-step gables dominate the main intersection in the business district of Wingham. It is an important example of the combined skills of architect and builder.

Historically, the building is one of a kind, being the first branch bank built by the Bank of Hamilton. The building was completed and open for business on November 2, 1892.

Section 33 of The Ontario Heritage Act, 1974, shall apply only to the following exterior elevations of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building:

1. The North or John Street facade of said building, measuring approximately thirty-four (34) feet in length;
2. The East or Diagonal Road facade of said building, measuring approximately forty (40) feet in length;
3. The West or Josephine Street facade of said building, measuring approximately forty (40) feet in length.

The building known colloquially as “The Old Post Office” was recommended for designation for architectural reasons as an example of public design of the Town-of-the-century era. Historically, the building has served as a Post Office and originally a Customs Office from its openings in 1907 until 1968 when it was deeded to the town.

This building dates from 1890 and was constructed to meet the needs for better municipal and court facilities during a period of rapid growth in the town. Constructed in the Second Empire style, its Mansard roof, round topped dormers and tall windows, as well as its projecting tower are significant features. It is the only one of its kind in Wingham today and is in excellent condition.

Section 33 of The Ontario Heritage Act, 1974, shall apply only to the following exterior elevations of the Town Hall:

1. The North facade of said building, measuring approximately ninety-five (95) feet in length;
2. The East or Josephine facade of said building, measuring approximately seventy (70) feet in length;
3. The South facade of said building, measuring approximately ninety-five (95) feet in length.

The 1885 Pump House was designated as being of architectural and/or historical value and interest.

The fence across the front of this property is composed of sections, each having a vase depicted within an ornate diamond shaped frame resting on a floral pedestal. Rising from the vase are two arum leaves sweeping outward to the frame and another two, with entwined stems, rising above the top rail of the fence. A single Calla Lily blossom emerges as the highest central feature. The upper leaves are joined to the frame by a pair of stylized English rose blossoms. End posts and gate posts are snake-skin clad and have ornamental caps. The fence is composed of a total of 75 sections, including two for the gate. Six sections have been damaged by the loss of their lily blossom tops.

This fence is the last known survivor of the artistic iron produced in Wingham’s first foundry. As an architectural adjunct to an early Wingham home it is unique and has historic merit from its association with the founding of one of Wingham’s most important industries.

The lot on which this feature stands was purchased by John Ansley in 1864 for $480. He built the present house (at time of designation) as well as Wingham’s first iron foundry on the site. The foundry was sold in 1872 to R.M. Robinson, who operated it for eighteen years as the Wingham Agricultural Works. The foundry continued to operate until 1901 when the machinery was purchased and moved to the new foundry of the National Iron Works, forerunner of the Western Foundry Co. Ltd.

Section 33 of The Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O., 1980, Chapter 337, shall apply only to the following feature of the said property:

1. The cast iron fence on the Victoria Street face.

The early association of this house with a prominent business and banking family of Wingham makes it historically important. It is one of the earliest examples of tower construction extant and served as inspiration for several other fine homes in Wingham.

Section 33 of The Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O.,1980, Chapter 337, apply only to the following exterior portion of the said property:

1. That portion of the main front block of the house which encompasses the tower and all bay windows.

Built in 1863 as a public school, this is one of the oldest buildings in Wingham. From 1878 to 1891 it was the Village and Town Hall on the Market Square and from then until 1900 served as Temperance Hall on its present site. It later was used for a variety of commercial and industrial uses. The proportions and design are typical of school construction in its period. Interior fittings show the progression of successive phases of its use.

Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O., 1980, Chapter 337, shall apply only to the following structure on the said property:

1. The northernmost building; known as the Temperance Hall.

This building was completed in 1901 for William Button, a local chair manufacturer who occupied it for only a few months before selling it to Richard Clegg, a furniture manufacturer. Following Clegg’s death in 1917, his widow continued to live there until her death in 1943. Clegg commissioned the construction of the only automobile built in Wingham. A large, two-storey house of red brick this is perhaps the most imposing dwelling built on the main street. It has a unique round tower, three stories high, made from brick cast in a curve to form a smooth contour and is surmounted by a bell-cast conical slate roof. Doors and windows are surrounded or headed by concrete block, keystoned and swagged low arches in the manner of cut stone, probably crafted by Simon Mitchell of Wingham. Gables are clad with embossed metal in the matter of sculpted shingles. Interior features of interest include white oak door and window frames as well as unique oak stairway of elaborate design. The basic design was copied in 1914 by William Rintoul for Thomas Fields at 80 Patrick Street East.

Address: 431 Josephine St., Wingham

Legal Description: Turnberry Con 1, Pt Lot 1, Part 1 and 2 on Reference Plan 22R7003

Designation By-Law: By-Law No. 2117-1990

By-Law Designation Date: July 3^rd, 1990

De-designation By-Law: By-Law No. 2321-1996

By-Law De-designation Date: February 5^th, 1996

Date of Construction: 1906

Reason for De-designation: 

To allow for the sale of a portion of the railway land. The historical designation of the property was regarded as a detraction for potential purchasers who may or may not wish to retain the structure either in its historical state or at all.

Address: 63 Albert St. E., Wingham

Legal Description: Plan 435, Lot 10

Designation By-Law: By-Law No. 1747-1983

By-Law Designation Date: November 7^th, 1983

De-designation By-Law: By-Law No. 2413-1998

By-Law De-designation Date: June 1^st, 1998

Reason for Designation: 

The Town of Wingham Council agreed with the request of the owners to have the property de-designated as having historical value within the Town of Wingham.

Address: 256 Centre St., Wingham

Legal Description: Plan 414, Lot 8

Designation By-Law: By-Law No. 1781-1984

By-Law Designation Date: July 3^rd, 1984

De-designation By-Law: By-Law No. 029-2003

By-Law De-designation Date: September 2^nd, 2003

Date of Construction: 1880-1883

Reason for De-designation: 

The Town of Wingham Council agreed with the request of the owners to have the property de-designated as having historical value within the Town of Wingham.

Address: 306 Josephine St., Wingham

Legal Description: Plan 412, Pt Lot 10

Designation By-Law: By-Law No. 1795-1984

By-Law Designation Date: January 7^th, 1985

De-designation By-Law: By-Law No. 2485-2000

By-Law De-designation Date: January 19^th, 2000

Date of Construction: circa 1870s

Reason for De-designation: 

The Town of Wingham Council agreed with the request of the owners to have the property de-designated as having historical value within the Town of Wingham.

Legal Description: Former Location Plan 416, Pt Lots 15 & 16

Designation By-Law: By-Law No. 1804-1985

By-Law Designation Date: May 6^th, 1985

De-designation By-Law: By-Law No. 071-2020

By-Law De-designation Date: November 2^nd, 2020

Date of Construction: 1913

Reason for De-designation: 

The Township of North Huron Council deemed the property as no longer having historic and architectural value and interest. The building has since been demolished.

Address: 104 Patrick St. E., Wingham

Legal Description: Plan 418 E, Pt Lot 48 E & Pt Lot 49

Designation By-Law: By-Law No. 1748-1983

By-Law Designation Date: November 7^th, 1983

De-designation By-Law: By-Law No. 006-2021

By-Law De-designation Date: February 1^st, 2021

The Executor of the property submitted a request to repeal the heritage designation to allow the repair and maintenance to occur in order to return the house to a suitable structure. They also noted that by allowing the heritage designation to be removed, it would allow for prospective buyers to incorporate modern updates to improve the house’s efficiency. This would encourage a prospective buyer to return the “stately structure into the grand house it should be”.

Legal Description: Former Location Plan 412, Part Lots 7 & 8

Designation By-Law: By-Law No. 1854-1986

By-Law Designation Date: July 7^th, 1986

De-designation By-Law:

By-Law De-designation Date:

Date of Construction: 1863

Reason for De-designation: 

The Framed Fire Hall historically held a very important role in the Wingham community. Shortly after designation, when the original plan to relocate the building fell through, the Frame Fire Hall building was dismantled and donated to Huron County Museum in Goderich. A portion of the building was reassembled and included as part of a permanent exhibit. The Wingham Fire Hall continues to be preserved in the History Hall Gallery at the Huron County Museum where visitors can enjoy its architectural beauty and appreciate the historic importance it provided to the region.