Notice of Intent to Designate - 133 Mill Street

In the matter of The Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O. 18, as amended, and in the matter of the lands and premises at the following municipal address in the Province of Ontario.

Notice of intention to designate

Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Milton intends to designate the property at the following municipal address as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O. 18, as amended.

Municipal address: 133 Mill Street, Milton, ON L9T 1S1, Lots 39 & Part of Lot 41, John Martin Survey, Plan 6, Block 6, Town of Milton, Regional Municipality of Halton.

Reasons for the proposed designation

Description of property

The original one-story brick Regency-style cottage (popular between 1820 and 1860) with an open veranda was built by Eli Van Allen in 1857. The cottage underwent various renovations over the 20th century, with a two-storey addition to the east of the original structure with new stucco to the bricks and was completed in 1991. The original form and the house's location are retained, but the original style of the windows and doors have been altered. This property forms a 'gatepost' to this significant part of this old Milton neighbourhood established through John Martin Survey Plan 6. This neighbourhood is seeing an increasing number of designated historic homes.

Statement of cultural value and interest

The historic house at 133 Mill Street was built circa 1857. Its cultural heritage value lies in its physical, historical and contextual value. It is a surviving example of the Ontario Regency Style Cottage. It has historical significance as it is the house of former Town Councillor Eli Van Allen, who built this house. It has contextual significance as this property is one of the original houses in the John Martin Survey Plan 6 for this significant part of Old Milton.

Design value or physical value

133 Mill Street is an altered example of a Regency cottage. Built in 1856, the brick cottage, now covered in stucco, retains its original form and location. Extensive renovations in the 1990s altered the character and appearance of this house, hiding its Regency origins. A two-storey addition was added to the east of the historic house. The original structure of the home featured a simple centre-gable porch entrance. Renovations of the cottage added transoms to the windows. They are not original to the house. The current structure retains its original low hip roof with a centre gable, decorative frieze, plain soffit and open veranda, which is common in Regency Cottage style. The veranda features plain rectangular posts. The new veranda occupies both the original structure and the addition.

Historical value or association value

Eli Van Allen purchased the land from Edward Martin in 1856 and built this house in 1857. Eli Van Allen was a Town Councillor from 1868 to 1870. Eli sold this house to his son Joshua Van Allen, who was appointed the Town jailer in 1857. Eli was also a carpenter by trade and worked in constructing the Wallace Hotel that previously existed at the intersection of Main and Brown Streets. The Van Allen’s raised their two sons, George and Frank. Richard White, the founder of the Milton Reformer, was a tenant in this house.

Contextual value

This property has contextual value as one of the earliest houses built in the John Martin Survey (Plan No. 6) in 1853. This neighbourhood was one of the very early subdivisions in Milton that were created even before Milton was incorporated as a Town in 1857. The Martin Survey included houses North of Main Street East, East of Bronte Street North, Mill Street, Victoria Street and James Street. This house helps to define, maintain and support the heritage character of this neighbourhood, which is seeing an increase in the number of designated heritage properties, which could turn the neighbour into a future heritage conservation district. It is described as a 'gatepost' to the neighbourhood.

Character defining elements/heritage attributes

Key heritage attributes vital to the preservation of 133 Mill Street are the following character-defining elements/heritage attributes:

• The original location, form and massing of the one-storey house (except for the two-storey addition) with a stone foundation and basement.
• Original low-hip roof with centre gable, decorative frieze and plain soffit.
• Open veranda with plain wood posts
• Home of Town Councillor Eli Van Allen 1868-1870
• Context of the location of the original house as the 'gatepost' and contributing to the heritage character of the John Martin survey neighbourhood of 1853.

Any person may, within ninety (90) days of the publication of this notice, send by registered mail or deliver to the Clerk of the Corporation of the Town of Milton, notice of his or her objection to the proposed designation together with a statement of the reasons for the objection and all relevant facts. If such a Notice of Objection is received by Feb. 1, 2024, the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Milton shall refer the matter to the Conservation Review Board for a hearing.

Dated at Milton on Jan. 2, 2024.

Meaghen Reid, Town Clerk
The Corporation of the Town of Milton
150 Mary Street
Milton, Ontario, L9T 6Z5