Canadian Design
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The Cornwallis Statue and the Destruction of Heritage
The removal of the Cornwallis statue was cited by many as the destruction of heritage. While the statue itself was integral to the original design of the park, and the lands surrounding it, Cornwallis was a dubious character in history, and despite being the "founder" of Halifax, doesn't really warrant a statue on a pillar… Read More
Extra Italianate – Octagon House
Our recent look at Italianate Architecture missed one unique, but unfortunately now gone, example. This octagonal villa style was popular between 1850 and 1870. The idea behind octagonal building originated with American phrenologist and amateur architect Orson Fowler, who wrote the book "A Home For All Ages". He cited the more perfect shape of the… Read More
Italianate Halifax 1850-1870
The Italianate style was common in Canada from 1850-1870. It was particularly popular for commercial buildings in Halifax, possibly due to a number of large fires requiring reconstructing entire blocks of the city. The main identifying features of the style include: flat or low sloping roofs symmetrical, with a slightly protruding central section cornices quoins… Read More
Early Gothic Revival – St. Mary’s Cathedral
St Mary's Cathedral Basilica is the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop in Halifax. Located on the corner of Spring Garden Road and Barrington Street, the initial construction of the church occurred between 1820-1830. Catholics were not permitted to build a church in Halifax until 1783, presumably in an attempt to prevent large numbers of… Read More
The Founding of Halifax
Halifax was founded in 1749 as a result of Louisbourg being handed back to the French in 1748. The American colonies, led by Governor William Shirley of Massachusetts, wanted a buffer between them and the French, as did the Board of Trade and Plantations, led by Lord Halifax, whose job it was to advise the… Read More
Georgian Architecture in Halifax 1749-1840
The Georgian style of architecture is very common in early Halifax buildings. The style's name is derived from the period it was most popular, during the reigns of Kings George I, George II, George III and George IV – roughly the period between 1720 and 1840. The style, however, is also frequently mixed with Palladian… Read More
The Halifax Archives Photo Collection
Recently the Halifax Archives made a vast collection of photos available from the '50s and '60s. The CBC reports: "Building inspectors were told to find the buildings that didn’t meet code. They’d then submit their reports to the committee on works, who would evaluate the reports and hold public hearings for any buildings slated for demolition. The buildings would… Read More
#4 Fire Station
Located on Bedford Row at the corner of Prince Street, the No 4. Engine House was built to replace an older station also on Bedford Row, that in 1905 was declared unfit for men to live in by the Fire Chief. In May 1904, City Council: "Resolved, that the City Engineer be and is hereby… Read More
The Buildings of Africville
Recently the former residents of Africville have re-launched a suit for compensation for lost property. This seemed like a good time to release a work in progress. I ran through minutes of council meetings from the 1960s and recorded the owners and compensation paid to each resident. I cannot claim to be an expert in… Read More