GREAT SREETS
for Building Watching
I have had the opportunity to visit a large number of places in Canada. Some of them, usually the more modern places, appeared almost devoid of dramatic styles. Others have been a veritable cornucopia of marvellous buildings.
The one that I remember the most vividly is Vansittart Street in Woodstock, Ontario. There are no less than 12 discernible styles within a very few blocks. There are also many more dramatic homes in this lovely city.
To help you get started in Building Watching, I am going to list a number of other fascinating streets or areas. This list will be an ongoing page where I will continue to add other locations. (p.s. Don't hesitate to g-mail me if you have found other marvellous centers.
Brantford
Dufferin Avenue, Lorne Crescent and Brant Avenue are good places to start. Watch for handsome Jacobethans, cute Brantford Cottage (Loyalist Cottages) and a fine Dutch Colonial Revival.
Cambridge
The Galt portion has Brant Road, Blenheim Road and Lancaster Road have a fine number of 'turn of the century' homes (1900).
In Preston, seek out Queenston Road and Duke and WIlliam Streets. 'Targets' are an Arts and Crafts house, several Edwardians and a wee Queen Anne that due to its size and plainness has been dubbed a 'Princess Anne'.
Guelph
Guelph, one of the older cities in this part of the province has interesting homes (Edwardian, Regency, Italianate) along Woolwich and Oxford Streets and Waterloo Avenue.
Kitchener
In Kitchener, There are numerous Tudors along Stirling Avenue North. Glasgow Street is home to two fine Art Modernes. Queen Street North is well worth a visit. Getting around Kitchener can be rather difficult with it awkward street directions.
Paris
Paris, settled in a valley where the Nith River meets the Grand River, is a charming town in its own right. Grand River Street, both north and south, should be seen. 'Hamilton Place', born I believe as a Regency, morphed into a Classical Revival when some of that styles 'decorations' were added to the facade. Note the wall cladding of the building which is unique to the area with its rows of small cobblestones.
St. Marys
St. Marys, nicknamed 'Stonetown' after its famous quarries, has numerous fine buildings including a twisted, Richardson Romanesque city hall and a wonderful multi-coloured Second Empire. A former opera house, in Baronial Gothic Revival, is just off the main street.
Stratford
The Festival City, originally a railway town, flourished with tourism. It is a lovely place with multiple styles on Mornington, Norman, Douglas and David Streets. Look for styles like Loyalist, Regency, Edwardian, Classical Revival and even a Craftsman just off the main drag.
Toronto
Toronto has numerous areas that are well worth visiting including the extravagant Rosemount, Forest Hill and Annex.