|
David James Whitney House
Lethbridge
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The David James Whitney House is a two-storey, brick residence with high gable roofs and a second storey balcony overhanging an open front veranda. The house is located in a suburb of South Lethbridge
Heritage Value
The D.J. Whitney House, or Ideal Farm as it is also known, is significant for is association with the agricultural history of Lethbridge. The D.J. Whitney House is also significant for its distinct Gothic Revival cottage design influences.
The D.J. Whitney House is significant for its association with both the advent of irrigated farming and agricultural innovation in the Lethbridge area. The farmhouse was built in 1903 for the residence of Mr. D.J. Whitney and it was surrounded by a 470 acre tract of farm land, known as the Ideal Farm. In conjunction with Dr. William Harmon Fairfield, Whitney successfully experimented with growing techniques and crop varieties and was recognized for his pioneering work in irrigated agriculture. The farmhouse and the surrounding fields were featured in a variety of promotional material, and they became a symbol of the area’s agricultural wealth. Much of the surrounding farmland was acquired by the Lethbridge Junior College (now called Lethbridge College), and now forms part of the college campus.
The D.J. Whitney House is significant for its distinct Gothic Revival cottage design influences and as an example of the type of farmhouse common in the owner’s native Ontario at the time, but which was relatively rare in the region. The end gables and peaked roof over the doorway to the balcony have decorative vergeboards and are topped with finials. These elements, combined with the brick structure’s segmented window arches show the influence of the Gothic Revival cottage style.
Character-Defining Elements
Character Defining Elements
The character defining elements as expressed in the form, massing, and materials of the 1903 two-storey house such as;
• The cross gable roof, and the gables above the windows and balcony doorway, which are adorned with vergeboards and finials
• The brick exterior
• The pattern, style, and construction of all wooden windows and brick design around all windows, including the segmented aches
• The second storey balcony with gabled doorway and the full veranda underneath the balcony, and the wooden support posts and beams
• Balustrade typical of that period
Location
| Street Address: |
3202 - 28 Street South |
| Community: |
Lethbridge |
| Boundaries: |
Lot 9, Plan 9111085 |
| Contributing Resources: |
Building
|
ATS Legal Description:
|
Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
4
|
21
|
8
|
20,21
|
|
PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
|
Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
9111085
|
|
9
|
|
Latitude/Longitude:
|
Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
|
49.6624317888094 |
-112.801888796793 |
Digital Maps |
NAD83 |
UTM Reference:
|
Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Local Governments (AB) |
| Designation Status: |
Municipal Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
2009/08/24 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1903_1903 |
| Period of Significance: |
N/A |
| Theme(s): |
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life : Architecture and Design
|
| Historic Function(s): |
Food Supply : Farm or Ranch
|
| Current Function(s): |
|
| Architect: |
|
| Builder: |
|
| Context: |
|
|
|
Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4664-0261 |
| Designation File: |
|
| Related Listing(s): |
|
| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 51066
|
| Website Link: |
|
| Data Source: |
Lethbridge
910 - 4th Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB
T1J 0P6 |
|