MCGLASHAN/THOMAS HOUSE

Architect Name:
Architectural Style:
Builder Name: James McGlashan
Designated: No

Historical Notes

THE MCGLASHAN/THOMAS HOUSE IS IN MANY WAYS CENTRAL TO THE HISTORY OF CHIPPAWA, HAVING BEEN THE RESIDENCE OF SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE TOWN AND OF THE NIAGARA AREA. BUILT DURING CHIPPAWA'S GOLDEN AGE AS A PORT AND MANUFACTURING CENTRE IN THE 1850'S IT WAS BRIEFLY THE HOME OF JAMES McGLASHAN, A LOCAL MERCHANT AND LATER LONGTIME TREASURER OF WELLAND COUNTY. JOHN THOMAS AND HIS FAMILY WERE INVOLVED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL INDUSTRY, CO-FOUNDER OF A MAJOR DISTILLARY AND A GRIST MILL. IN THE 20TH CENTURY, C. ELLISON KAUMEYER AS DIRECTOR OF NIAGARA PARKS & BRIDGE COMMISSION WOULD WORK TOWARDS THE RESTORATION OF NIAGARA'S PAST AS WELL AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS TRANSPORTATION NETWORK. ALTHOUGH MOST OF ITS ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE HAS BEEN MODIFIED OVER THE YEARS, THE HOUSE REMAINS PART OF A HERITAGE NEIGHBOURHOOD IN WHICH THE HISTORICAL HOMES OF PAST CIVIC LEADERS, ARTISTS, AUTHORS, AND PROFESSIONALS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED OVER THE PAST 150 YEARS.

Architectural Notes

THE MCGLASHAN/THOMAS HOUSE WAS CONSTRUCTED IN TWO PARTS, MOST EVIDENT IN THE ROOF FORM. THE EARLIEST PART, CLOSEST TO MAIN STREET, WAS TWO STORIES AND SQUARE IN PLAN. THE TWO STOREY HOUSE IS NOW RECTANGULAR IN PLAN, MEASURING ABOUT 35 FEET (11 METRES) ACROSS ITS NORTH FACADE AND 45 FEET (13.5 METRES) FROM FRONT TO BACK. IT IS OF WOOD FRAME CONSTRUCTION WITH A RED BRICK VENEER WHICH HAS BEEN MORE RECENTLY COVERED WITH STUCCO. THE FACADE IS ARRANGED AROUND 3 IRREGULARLY SPACED BAYS. THE STYLE OF THE HOUSE IS DERIVED FROM PRINCIPLES OF BALANCE AND PROPORTION ASSOCIATED WITH NEO-CLASSICAL TRADITIONS. THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE THE ELEVATION FACING BRIDGEWATER ST. ALTHOUGH THE ORIGINAL FRONT ENTRANCE APPEARS TO BE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE SOUTHERLY PORTION OF THE HOUSE.