Notice of intention to designate - 149 Dunn Street

On March 4, 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:

Cedar Lodge
149 Dunn Street
Plan 1, Block 89, Part lot 3
Town of Oakville

Description of property

The property at 149 Dunn Street is located on the south side of Dunn Street, on the curve of the road between Sumner Avenue and Randall Street. The property contains a circa 1877 two-storey vernacular house built with influences from the Regency and Gothic Revival styles, known as Cedar Lodge.

Statement of cultural heritage value or interest

Design and physical value

Cedar Lodge has design and physical value as a representative example of an Oakville vernacular house with influences from the Regency and Gothic Revival styles. Prevalent in Ontario from 1830 to 1860, the Regency style was influenced by Indian temples and palaces and was adapted to meet the Ontario climate. The subject house originally included one of the more iconic details of this style, the front verandah with trellis-like supports which referenced the tropical villas of countries like India. The house also has influences from the Gothic Revival style, a style that incorporated different elements of the Gothic and medieval periods in England. Notable elements from the Ontario version of this style include the L-shaped form and massing of the original portion of the house, the simple gable roof design, the segmentally-arched 1/1 and 2/2 wood windows, the wide front porch, the bay window, and the front entrance with sidelights and transom window. The house exhibits design and features found on other vernacular homes in old Oakville and is a good representative example of a home built with influences from formal styles, but designed to fit the local climate and the needs of the homeowner. 

Historical and associative value

Cedar Lodge has cultural heritage value for its connection to various well-known Oakville citizens, such as Charles and Mary Coote who built the house and owned the property for over 30 years. The Cootes owned and operated a general store, which still stands today on Lakeshore Road in downtown Oakville. The Cootes were well-known and involved citizens in late 19th and early 20th century Oakville and contributed to the early development of the town and its local commerce as businesspeople. 

Contextual value

Cedar Lodge has contextual value because it defines, supports, and maintains the character of Dunn Street and neighbouring streets. The house is located near two heritage conservation districts: Trafalgar Road Heritage Conservation District to the northeast, and Downtown Oakville Heritage Conservation District to the west. The house is surrounded by other heritage buildings and its presence maintains and supports the surrounding character neighbourhoods like downtown Oakville. The property is physically, visually, and historically linked to its surroundings. It is an entry point to downtown and remains in its original location, and contributes to the local streetscape. Because of the house’s location on the corner lot, it is a visual anchor point of the neighbourhood and its history.

Description of heritage attributes

Key heritage attributes of Cedar Lodge at 149 Dunn Street that exemplify its cultural heritage value as an example of an Oakville vernacular house with influences from the Regency and Gothic Revival styles, as they relate to the historic two-half storey house, include:

• Footprint and form of the house with gable roofs, one-storey porch and bay window on west elevation;
• Lakestone foundation above grade;
• Heavily textured traditional stucco cladding;
• Remaining wooden soffits and fascia;
• One-storey front verandah with decorative square wooden columns and wooden bargeboard;
• Fenestration of windows on all elevations;
• Historic wooden windows, wooden window trim and wooden louvered shutters;
• Front entrance with wooden panelled door, sidelights with wooden panels and windows, wooden transom window and wooden trim; and
• Brick chimney.

Any objection to this designation must be filed no later than April 5, 2024.  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 March 6, 2024.