Clarington plans to designate two properties on Liberty Street for their historical value

The Municipality of Clarington intends to designate the properties at 175 Liberty Street North and 192 Liberty Street North in Bowmanville for their 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.

Law House, 175 Liberty Street North

Reasons for proposed designation

Description of property

175 Liberty Street North, known as Law House, is located on the east side of Liberty Street North, north of Concession Street and south of Swindells Street, in the Municipality of Clarington. The property consists of a one-and-a-half-storey, red brick Gothic Revival residence built circa 1855.

Statement of significance and list of character-defining features

Physical/design value

175 Liberty Street North has design value as a representative example of a residential building constructed in the Gothic Revival architectural style. The one-and-a-half-storey, three-bay, red brick building (Flemish bond with an English Bond design on the corners) features a side gable roof and central gable peak with a fanlight, a rectangular envelope, and symmetry across its elevations, typical of Gothic Revival design. The façade’s central projecting frontispiece and prominent recessed entrance, with side lights and transom, flat arch brick voussoirs, and rectangular window openings, accentuate the vertical emphasis and are all additional features associated with this style within the Municipality of Clarington.

Historical/associative value

175 Liberty Street North has historical value because it is directly associated with the Galbraith family, specifically Malcolm and John Keith, who were early residents and played a significant role in the growth and development of Bowmanville. Malcolm Galbraith was a Scottish immigrant who arrived in Canada in 1844, settling in Darlington Township in 1845. He purchased the subject lands and built “Meadowbank” in 1855. A solicitor by training, he worked as a barrister and served as Bowmanville’s Treasurer from 1861 until 1881 and as a Justice of the Peace in 1869. Malcolm Galbraith died in 1883 and was buried in Bowmanville Cemetery. John Keith Galbraith, Malcolm’s son, inherited “Meadowbank” in 1865. In 1871, he deeded it to his sister, Mary Ann Galbraith. Like his father, John worked as a barrister on King Street in Bowmanville and served as the mayor of Bowmanville for one term in 1890. John died in 1903 and is buried alongside family members in Bowmanville Cemetery. Both individuals are historically associated with the administration of the town of Bowmanville in the mid-to-late nineteenth century.

Contextual value

175 Liberty Street North is historically linked to 172 Liberty Street North and 192 Liberty Street North, which are in the surrounding area. The three properties were said to represent “Law”, “Medicine” and “Gospel”. 175 Liberty Street North, built in 1855, is associated with “Law” due to Malcolm's role as solicitor in the community. 172 Liberty Street North, built in 1857, is associated with “Gospel” due to its use as a manse for the Minister of the St. Andrew’s Church of Scotland. 192 Liberty Street North, built circa 1850, is associated with “Medicine” due to its connection to Dr. William Allison, a Scottish physician. These three houses were important in serving the community's needs and supporting the early growth and development in Bowmanville.

Description of heritage attributes

175 Liberty Street North has design value as a representative example of a residential building constructed in the Gothic Revival architectural style. The property contains the following heritage attributes that reflect this value:

• One-and-a-half-storey Gothic Revival building
• Three bay red brick building in Flemish Bond with an English Bond design on the corners
• Side gable roof with central gable peak and fanlight
• Overall symmetry across elevations
• Central projecting frontispiece
• Prominent entrance with side lights, transom and stone lintel, and keystone
• Rectangular window openings with flat arch brick voussoirs and stone lug sills

175 Liberty Street North has historical value because it is directly associated with the Galbraith family, specifically Malcolm and John Keith, who were early residents and played a significant role in the growth and development of Bowmanville. The property contains the following heritage attribute that reflects this value:

• Orientation, massing, and visibility from Liberty Street North

175 Liberty Street North is historically linked to 172 Liberty Street North and 192 Liberty Street North, which are located in the surrounding area. The property contains the following heritage attributes that reflect this value:

• Orientation, massing, and visibility from Liberty Street North
• Proximity to 172 Liberty Street North and 192 Liberty Street North

Medicine House, 192 Liberty Street North

Reasons for proposed designation

Description of property

192 Liberty Street North, known as Medicine House, is located on the west side of Liberty Street North, north of Concession Street and south of Third Street, in the Municipality of Clarington. The property consists of a one-and-a-half-storey, stucco Georgian residence built circa 1855.

Statement of significance and list of character-defining features

Physical/design value

The property has design value as a representative example of a Georgian-style residence. The one-and-a-half-storey Georgian residence is symmetrically balanced with a three-bay façade. It follows a rectangular plan, with an end gable roof with overhanging eaves and return eaves. It features rectangular window openings with a lug sill and a central doorway with sidelights and a transom, all of which are characteristic of this style. The subject property appears to be clad in stucco with a gable dormer with paired rectangular window openings and a brick chimney.

Historical/associative value

192 Liberty Street North is historically associated with Dr. William Allison, a physician, who was significant to the early development of Bowmanville. Dr. William Allison was born in the Scottish Lowlands in 1806 and was educated at the University of Edinburgh before immigrating to Upper Canada in 1835. Working as a country doctor, he earned a good wage and kept himself up to date on scientific discoveries and medical breakthroughs of the time. In addition to serving the medical needs of the early settlers of Bowmanville, Dr. Allison also served as the President of the Mechanics’ Institute, a Deputy Reeve, and as a Bowmanville Town Councillor.

Contextual value

192 Liberty Street North is historically linked to 175 Liberty Street North and 172 Liberty Street North, which are located in the surrounding area. The three properties were said to represent “Law”, “Medicine,” and “Gospel.” 192 Liberty Street North, built circa 1855, is associated with “Medicine” due to its inhabitancy by Dr. William Allsion, a Scottish physician. 172 Liberty Street North, “Gospel” was purpose-built for use as a manse for the Minister of the St. Andrew’s Church of Scotland in 1857.175 Liberty Street North, built in 1855, is associated with “Law” due to its association with Malcolm Galbraith, a local solicitor. These three houses were important in serving the community's needs and supporting the early growth and development in Bowmanville.

Description of heritage attributes

The property has design value as a representative example of a Georgian-style residence. The property contains the following heritage attributes that reflect this value:

• One-and-a-half-storey Georgian residence
• Symmetrically balanced with three bays (not confirmed)
• Rectangular plan (not confirmed)
• End gable roof with overhanging eaves and return eaves (not confirmed)
• Rectangular window openings with lug sills (not confirmed)
• Central doorway with sidelight and transom (not confirmed)
• Gable dormer with paired window opening (not confirmed)

192 Liberty Street North is historically associated with Dr. William Allison, a physician, who was significant to the early development of Bowmanville. The property contains the following heritage attributes that reflect this value:

• Orientation, massing, and location near Liberty Street North

192 Liberty Street North is historically linked to 175 Liberty Street North and 172 Liberty Street North, which are located in the surrounding area. The property contains the following heritage attributes that reflect this value:

• Proximity to 175 Liberty Street North and 172 Liberty Street North

Appeal process

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 8^th day of July 2025

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