01.    Georgian, (Original Version)

                                       1784 - Present*   

                  1a.  Petersburg

Most early Canadian pioneers (with the exception of those who settled Quebec**) initially built log homes.Once they became settled, in the late 1700's and early 1800's, they desired something a little more substantial and functional for their large families.

Thus began the first of the formal styles found in Canada, the Georgian. The name originated from the period of English history when England was ruled by a succession of kings named George.

         1b. w. of Waterloo, Ontario

There are several, beautiful, stone Georgian farmhouses west of Waterloo, Ontario

along the Waterloo-St.Agatha Road. The whitewashed lower story (at the front) is common in `Mennonite Country`. 

                                               1c. Brantford, Ontario

This Brantford wooden farmhouse has been absorbed by the city. It used to be possible to visit it. I`m not sure about the present status.

What to look for (clues)  

• • Rectangular in shape with the wide side facing the road.

  • Normally very balanced or symmetrical.

  • A gable roof (with an inverted 'V' at the two sides) is by far the most common form of roof. Hip Roofs, (where the roof slanted in 4 directions and met near the crown forming a small flat area) also exist on some of the older, primarily urban, examples.

  • Original Canadian versions were very plain with the only decorative features around the main doorway

  • 5 windows (second story) over 4 windows (main floor) appear on the original Georgians.

  • The entryway on the oldest buildings were similar to the Brantford example, where a glass transom and side lights (both comprised of small square windows) provided light in a time before electricity.

• •     1d. Saint John, New Brunswick

                   1e. Richmond Road, Ottawa

Where to find it

As you can imagine, other 'forms' of the Georgian came along. The Georgian is so important that I have created further sites to show homes that vary from this 'original' style.

 The Georgian is found nearly anywhere in rural and urban settings and literally from coast to coast. *Not only has it never gone out of style, modern versions are presently replacing other styles in our most expensive suburbs!

** Early Homes were built in Quebec some 100 or so years before the Scandinavians brought over their brand of log houses from Europe. These early homes were constructed  mainly of field stone or rubble enclosed by wooden forms. (There will be more about this at a later date..)

Evolution of the Georgian

Evolution of the Georgian was of course inevitable. Several styles that followed were lumped together under the name, 'Neoclassical.' I find myself uncomfortable with this term because I believe that there are 3 distinct homes that evolved from and borrowed heavily from the original Georgian. I will create a site for each of these styles under the headings: (#25) Late Georgian, (#13) Federal and the Loyalist. The latter is comprised of the (#10) Ontario Cottage and the (#20) Ontario House.

A further site (#1-2) will note the less common early Georgians where a portion of the facade (front) projected outwards.

Dates

My major source of dates will be from John Blumenson's fine book

"Ontario Architecture: A Guide to Styles and Building Terms 1784 to the present".

RELATED SITES: Historical Georgian, Small Georgian