Notice of intention to designate 123 Trafalgar Road

On December 9, 2024, Oakville Town Council resolved to pass a Notice of Intention to Designate the following property under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.18, as amended, as a property of cultural heritage value and interest:

James and Muriel Blakelock House
123 Trafalgar Road
Part lot D, Block 25, Plan 1, as in 769129; Oakville

Description of property

The property at 123 Trafalgar Road is located on the east side of Trafalgar Road, between Randall Street and Church Street in downtown Oakville. The property contains a 1917 two-and-a-half storey Edwardian brick house with Queen Anne influences. It is known as the James and Muriel Blakelock House.

Statement of cultural heritage value or interest

Design and physical value

The James and Muriel Blakelock House has design value as a representative example of an Edwardian brick house with Queen Anne influences. It retains heritage features such as: its two-and-a-half storey form with gable and hip roof, dichromatic brick cladding with cedar shingle cladding in the gables; fenestration on the north, east, south, and west elevations; segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs and concrete sills; bay windows on the west and south elevations; and its front porch with square brick columns and railing. While the building has been updated in recent decades to accommodate commercial use, the original form and details of its Edwardian style remain.

Historical and associative value

The James and Muriel Blakelock House has historical value for its associations with Thomas A. Blakelock and James A. Blakelock, whose construction company built the house for James Blakelock and his family to live in circa 1917. In addition to being a prominent businessman, Thomas A. Blakelock worked for 40 years in public service as Mayor of Oakville, as a Member of the Provincial Legislature for Halton, and as Warden of Halton County. The Blakelock Brothers Contractors and Builders Company built more than 300 buildings in Oakville, including the subject house which was one of the first houses built by the company and one of only a few that was built for the Blakelock family. The house is also associated with the early 20th century industrial, residential and commercial development of downtown Oakville and helps to demonstrate the historic mixed-use development of the downtown, with the homes being constructed on the same block as their well-known planing mill.

Contextual value

The subject property has cultural heritage value because it is physically, functionally, visually, and historically linked to its surroundings. The subject property is one of several historical buildings of note still standing that reference the early 20th century built history of the neighbourhood, which was a mix of residential, industrial and commercial uses. It is one of several other houses built by the Blakelock Brothers on the block but is one of the only few remaining. It sits on a corner lot and is prominently located in the neighbourhood. The property is also important in defining, supporting, and maintaining the character of the historic downtown core. The subject house plays an important role in the remaining historic streetscape of this block, as a visible anchor on the southwest corner. The building’s small scale and historic architectural style highlights the history of downtown Oakville and its historically low-scale building streetscape. Its association with the Blakelock family and their business is particularly important as the building is a tangible remnant of this important part of Oakville’s history of industry and post-World War I growth.

Description of heritage attributes

Key attributes of the property at 123 Trafalgar Road that exemplify its cultural heritage value as an Edwardian style house with Queen Anne influences, as they relate to the north, west and south elevations of the two-and-a-half storey house, include its: 

• Rectangular massing and form with gable roof and two-storey bay projection with hip roof on south elevation and one-storey front porch;
• Dichromatic red and dark brown brick cladding;
• Cedar shingle cladding in the gables; 
• Remaining historic fenestration of the windows, which does not include the glass block window on the north elevation and the southerly second storey bay window on the west elevation;
• Segmentally arched window and door openings with brick voussoirs and stone sills; and
• Front porch with low-sloped shed roof, brick columns and railings, and stone caps. 

Any objection to this designation must be filed no later than January 15, 2025.  Objections must be directed to the Town Clerk at townclerk@oakville.ca or 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario L6H 0H3. The objection must include the reasons for the objection and all relevant facts.

Further information respecting this proposed designation is available from the Town of Oakville. Any inquiries may be directed to Carolyn Van Sligtenhorst, Supervisor of Heritage Conservation at 905-845-6601, ext.3875 (TTY 905-338-4200), or by email at carolyn.van@oakville.ca. 

Issued at the Town of Oakville on December 16, 2024.