Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The 1922 one-storey Griffith residence is a bungalow design with broader Arts and Crafts influences, in particular, Craftsman style elements. The residence features a medium pitched gable roof, with projecting eaves, exposing original wood rafters, soffits, fascia, and brackets. It is clad with wood clapboard siding on the upper portion, and wood shingles on the lower portion of the residence, and in all the peaks of the gables. The enclosed front verandah has a hipped roof with an offset medium pitched gable over the entrance. Both the east and west elevations feature pitched gables, with bay windows. The residence is located on a residential street in the Westmount neighbourhood, one of Edmonton’s most mature neighbourhoods, where the majority of lots still maintain their original structures.
Heritage Value
The Griffith residence is significant for its Arts and Crafts influences, in particular, Craftsman style elements. The Craftsman design style first appeared in the last years of the 19th century and remained popular until the 1930s.
Design elements include the original wood clapboard siding on the upper portion of the residence, and wood shingles on the lower portion, and in the peaks of all the pitched gables. The roof is a medium pitched gable, with original wood brackets, soffits, fascia, and rafters. There are pitched gables on both the east and west elevations, with original bay windows; the centre window is eight over one, and there are six over six windows on each side. There is an enclosed verandah on the front façade, with a hipped roof, and a medium pitched gable over the entrance; there is decorative detail on the ends of the fascia. The enclosed verandah is supported by three tapered brick and wood pillars. It has closed wood railings on the lower portion and screens, with rounded wood frames, on the upper portion. Below the wood framed screens on the east, west, and south elevations of the verandah, there are vertical wood bands with wood shingles below. The wood framed screen door is a replacement of the original. On the front façade of the residence, within the enclosed verandah, there is an original window, with a one over two window, flanked by one over one sidelights. The original front entry doors are both wood with windows on the upper portions and six over six sidelights. All windows on the residence are original, except for four storm windows which have been replaced. The majority of window openings have plain lintels and plain slip sills.
The house is located within the Westmount Architectural Heritage Area. Throughout history the neighbourhood of Westmount has retained a strong sense of architectural character, and is noted for its large collection of single detached homes, that were built between 1911 and 1925. The neighbourhood boasts large, tree lined, sidewalks, and houses that are generally two-storeys in height, and feature a high level of design.
The one-storey residence was occupied in 1924 by James B Griffith, who lived at the residence until 1928. Griffith was a sales manager at Esdale Press before working as an accountant at Capital City Printers, and Louis F Dow Company Ltd.. From 1929 to 1959, Thomas S. Campbell, a secretary at the Black Diamond Coal Company and the Great West Coal Company Ltd., is the listed resident. After Thomas’ death, his widowed wife, Ina Campbell is listed as the owner from 1960 to 1961. There was no return from the Henderson Directory for 1962. In 1963, Henry Reidlinger, an equipment operator and carpenter, moved into the home with his family. Henry’s spouse, Sophie Reidlinger is listed as the owner from 1974 to 1999.
Character-Defining Elements
The character defining elements as expressed in the form, massing, and materials of the 1922 one-storey Griffith Residence include:
-wood clapboard siding on upper levels, and shingles on lower levels, and in the pitched gables;
-medium pitched gable roof;
-enclosed verandah, with closed wood railings, and wood framed screens on the upper portion;
-hipped roof over the verandah, with a medium pitched gable over the entrance of the verandah;
-medium pitched gable dormers on both the east and west elevations;
-bay windows beneath the dormers on both the east and west elevations;
-original wood soffits, rafters, brackets and fascia;
-original fenestration pattern including all original windows and storm windows except for four replacement storm windows;
-three brick and wood tapered pillars on the south elevation, supporting the enclosed verandah;
-two brick and mortar chimneys; one in the centre of the residence and one on the east elevation;
-a small enclosed mud room and an open air deck projecting from the west elevation;
-an enclosed stairwell to the basement and a small storage shed projecting from the north elevation of the residence; and
-original front entry wood doors, with windows on the upper portions of the doors, and six over six sidelights on each side.
Location