Clarington plans to designate 33 King Street West for historical and architectural value

The Municipality of Clarington intends to designate the property at 33 King Street West, Bowmanville for its architectural and historical value under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Heritage designation is the formal recognition of a property's heritage value and its significance to the community. It helps to conserve important places for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Learn more about Clarington’s heritage properties at www.clarington.net/Heritage.

Reasons for Proposed Designation

Description of Property

33 King Street West is part of a commercial street wall on the south side of King Street West and is located in the commercial core of the historic Village of Bowmanville. It consists of a two-storey commercial Italianate building constructed in 1883.

Statement of Significance and List of Character-Defining Features

Physical/Design Value

33 King Street West is a representative example of a commercial building constructed in the Italianate architectural style. The two-storey brick building follows a rectangular plan and has a flat roof, which showcases an ornate parapet, which is a key feature of commercial Italianate design. The parapet features several stylistic elements, including a highly decorated cornice with a cavetto at the top, followed by moulded trim finished with gingerbread at the bottom. It is also characterized by rhythmically placed paired wood brackets, all framed by large, paired end brackets. The parapet end brackets are topped by an additional decorative element reminiscent of a birdhouse, the design of which is repeated in the belt course between the first and second storeys as well as on other buildings along King Street West. The prominent decorative band is also comprised of ornate moulded wood trim. The upper level features three rhythmically placed, segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs, a central keystone that includes a decorative thistle design, and lug sills, all of which are characteristic of Italianate architecture. The formal storefront entrance and secondary entrance feature wood panel surrounds that create an asymmetrical yet balanced composition. The recessed rectangular store entrance is located beside a large storefront window opening, which is also accented with wood panelling and showcases typical features of commercial buildings built in the Italianate architectural style.

Historical/Associative Value

33 King Street West holds historical significance as the last building associated with the Andrew Block of the historic commercial core and with its first owner and businesswoman, Annie Anderson. The ‘Andrew Block’ is named after Reginald Andrew, who was one of the individuals responsible for the building's construction around 1883, while Annie Anderson was the first owner and commercial operator. Reginald Barret Andrew was born on June 20, 1852, in Bowmanville, to Joseph Barrett Andrew (1824-1877) and Mary Darlington (1820-1905). In the early 1880s, a new block of commercial property along King Street was built by Reginald B. Andrew and Joseph Ruse. A series of three connected buildings was constructed between 1881 and 1883, and the building at 33 King Street West was the last of this block to be constructed. The construction was finished in 1883, and the commercial building became part of what was known as the ‘Andrew Block’. Upon completion, 33 King Street West came into the ownership of Annie Smith Anderson. Annie S. Anderson (nee Younie) was born on September 5, 1843, in Darlington Township. Mrs. Anderson was a woman entrepreneur and the first commercial occupant of 33 King Street West. Mrs. Anderson operated a successful millinery and fancy goods store from 1883 until around 1888. The following two commercial businesses, which occupied the building, were also owned and operated by women. Alice Ann Ives operated the storefront as a merchant tailor from 1888 until 1921, followed by Edith Scobell, who ran an insurance agency from 1921 until 1948. The sale of the property by Edith in 1948 marked the end of a 65-year period during which businesses were owned and operated by women. Subsequent businesses that operated out of 33 King Street West included a television store and repair shop, a paint and wallpaper business, a salon, a fabric store, a series of florists, and a café, among others. The other two buildings that comprise the Andrew Block, 25 King Street West and 29-31 King Street West, were destroyed by fire in 2008. Although 33 King Street West was heavily damaged and remained vacant for at least a year, it was eventually repaired and restored to its former appearance. The exterior of 33 King Street West remains the only example of the 19th-century commercial buildings associated with Andrew Block.

Contextual Value

33 King Street West is important in supporting the late-19^th and early-20^th century commercial core associated with the historic Village of Bowmanville. The lot lines, layout, and form of the commercial core of the historic village of Bowmanville were well-established in the early to mid-19^th century. The concentration and growth of the commercial core along King Street played a significant role in the social and economic development and growth of Bowmanville. The historic commercial core along King Street has been a vital gathering place and center for social, commercial, and recreational activities for over 100 years. The commercial core has been the site of street fairs, parades, and festivals, serving as an important gathering place. Located along King Street West, the buildings in the historical village core are comprised of predominantly one-to three-storey commercial properties with defined commercial storefronts along the first storey, primarily brick construction, and often showcase ornate details, particularly along the roofline and window openings. 33 King Street West is part of the commercial street wall along this block and exhibits massing, style, and decorative details consistent with the commercial core of the historic village of Bowmanville.

Description of Heritage Attributes

33 King Street West is a representative example of a commercial building constructed in the Italianate architectural style. The property contains the following heritage attributes that reflect this value:

Two-storey commercial building constructed in the Italianate architectural style
Rectangular plan with flat roof
Ornate parapet with large, paired end brackets topped by birdhouse design positioned along each end of the roofline
Decorated cornice with a cavetto along the top, followed by moulded trim finished with gingerbread along the bottom and rhythmically placed paired wood brackets
Segmentally arched window openings with brick voussoirs, central keystone with thistle design on upper level
Decorative belt course comprised of ornate moulding and large, paired end brackets topped by a birdhouse design positioned between the first and second storeys
Asymmetrical but balanced entranceway with recessed rectangular door openings and a large storefront window opening surrounded by wood panelling and trim

Two-storey commercial building constructed in the Italianate architectural style
Rectangular plan with flat roof
Location on King Street West as part of the street wall
Overall massing, setback, and decorative details

33 King Street West is important in supporting the late-19th and early-20th century commercial core associated with the historic Village of Bowmanville. The property contains the following heritage attributes that reflect this value:

Two-storey commercial building constructed in the Italianate architectural style
Location on King Street West as part of the street wall
Overall massing, setback, and decorative details

Any person who objects to a proposed designation may, within 30 days after the date of publication of the notice of intention, give the Clerk of the Municipality a notice of objection setting out the reason for the objection and all relevant facts.

If a notice of objection has been given, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington shall consider the objection and make a decision whether or not to withdraw the notice of intention to designate the property within 90 days after the end of the 30-day period.

Dated at the Municipality of Clarington this 7^th day of July 2025

June Gallagher, B.A., Dipl. M.A.
Municipal Clerk
40 Temperance Street
Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6