Notice of Intent to Designate - 71 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: 71 Mill Street, Milton, ON L9T 1R8, Lot 21, Block 3 of the Martin Survey, Town of Milton, and Regional Municipality of Halton.

Reasons for the proposed designation

Description of property

71 Mill Street is a two-story, single-detached brick house that represents the popular Four Square architectural style with a wraparound verandah. A double garage, 4-season sunroom, back veranda that mirror the front verandah, updated wiring, new kitchen, and a new library/dining room were added to the original house.

Design value or physical value

Physically, this two-storey terra cotta brick house was built in 1905 by Thomas Hume. It is an excellent example of an Edwardian Foursquare style of architecture featuring a square floor plan with four rooms on both the first and second floors. The box-like massing with a large gable dormer on one side of the roof houses a generous attic.

The bricks from this house are likely from the local Milton brickworks. The generous verandahs feature classical Doric columns with entablature and chunky railings. The intricately carved railings around this house are unusual and maybe a later addition. The quality of these bricks remains apparent as, even though they are over 100 years old, they still look like new.

The two wide front windows include a three-panel stained glass in their upper panes. A single smaller square window with stained glass on the ground floor provides light to the staircase or hallway.

Historical value or association value

John Martin registered the survey, where 71 Mill Street is located, in 1857. According to the local paper Canadian Champion, Thomas D. Hume built his new brick home on Mill Street in December 1905. Thomas Hume was born in 1868 on the family farm in Nelson Township, County of Halton. He was one of nine children born to George and Jane (Robertson) Hume, who had come from Scotland in 1849. He also owned 150 to 158 Main Street, the Hume Block.

Of historical note is that Mr. Hume opened the first moving picture theatre in Milton in 1912 at 156 Main Street, the Princess Theatre, later named Roxy Theatre. The frame buildings burned down just before Christmas in 1915. It was replaced in 1916 with a brick building. Thomas served on the Town Council and the Town Housing Commission. He was a member of St. Clair Masonic Lodge, Knox Presbyterian Church, and Milton Golf and Country Club president. In 1907, Thomas began construction on another home at 83 Victoria Street, where the Hume family later resided.

The property was sold to Victor Chisholm, a lawyer, in 1908. He began his law practice in Milton. In 1883, he became the partner of J. W. Elliot. Victor was appointed the Land Registrar for Halton County in 1913.

The property was sold to Dr. George Alfred King, a dentist who practices in Milton, serving the community for 41 years. His dental business was on the second floor of the Thompson House on Main Street. George also served on the Milton Council, the Milton and District High School Board and as an Elder at St. Paul’s United Church. He served 32 years as the Clerk of the session. Dr. King was a member of the Milton Lawn Bowling Club, Milton Curling Club, and St. Clair Masonic Lodge. He passed away in 1976.

Contextual value

Contextually, it is 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. This house contributes to the heritage character of this neighbourhood, which is seeing an increase in the number of designated heritage properties, potentially turning the neighbour into a future heritage conservation district.

Character defining elements/heritage attributes

• Original two-storey terra cotta red brick house with plain and box-like massing
• A medium gable roof with an off-center gable dormer with projecting eaves.
• Wrap around open verandah with classical wooden Doric columns and entablature.
• Single leaf three panels entrance door with upper panel stain glass insert and mechanical doorbell.
• Wide three-over-one windows with upper stain glass panels, shutters, stone headers and lug sills
• Historical home of Thomas Davidson Hume, Victor Chisholm and Dr. George King
• Contextual value as one of the earliest houses built in the John Martin Survey (Lot G, Plan No.17) in 1855.

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 March 2 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 Feb. 1, 2024.

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