Key Number:	HS 24656
Site Name:	Major Stewart House
Other Names:
Site Type:	0101 - Residential: Single Dwelling

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			23	1	5

Address:	26 New Street SE
Number:	26
Street:	New SE
Avenue:
Other:
Town:	Calgary
Near Town:

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:	Queen Anne Revival
Plan Shape:	Irregular
Storeys:	Storeys: 1 1/2
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: Stone
Superstructure:	Nailed Frame
Superstructure Cover:
Roof Structure:	Gabled Hip
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:	Massing of Units: Single Detached Wings: Rear and Either Side Number of Bays - Facade: First or Ground Floor, 1 Bay Roof Trim - Eaves: Projecting Eaves Roof Trim Material - Eaves: Wood Roof Trim - Verges: Plain Soffit Roof Trim Material - Verges: Wood Dormer Type: Gable, Projecting Eaves Chimney Location - Side to Side: Unknown Chimney Location - Side to Side: Offset Right Chimney Location - Front to Rear: Centre Chimney Stack Material: Brick Chimney Stack Massing: Single Roof Trim - Special Features: Balustrade Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Head: Plain Flat Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Material: Wood Window - Sill Type: Moulded Slip Sill Window - Special Types: Round Window - Pane Arrangements: 9 over 1 Main Entrance - Location: Centre (Facade) Main Entrance - Structural Opening Shape: Flat Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening Material: Wood Main Entrance - Number of Leaves: 1 Main Porch - Type: Platform Main Porch - Type: Open Verandah Main Porch - Special Features: Decorated Main Porch - Material: Wood
Exterior:	Open verandah on two sides. Decorative glass front door. Decorative shingles on gables.
Interior:	N/A
Environment:	Lot size: 198' x 165'. Excellent river front.
Condition:	Structure: Good. Repair: Good (1992).
Alterations:	1969 - Renovations to wiring, heating, drywall, plumbing. - A solar shelter has since been built in the backyard.

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Major Stewart House	1885/01/01
Usage:	Usage Date:
Residence Architect's Studio and office.	1885/01/01 1969/01/01
Owner:	Owner Date:
Major Stewart Pat Burns Holding Ltd.	1885/01/01 1928/01/01

Architect:	Moberley
Builder:	N/A
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	Previous legal descriptions: Lots 5 - 17; Block 17; Plan A13 (1980) Lots 5 - 7; Block 17; Plan A3 (1983) Lots 4 - 10; Block 17; Plan A3 (1992) This was the home of Major John E. Stewart. Mr. Stewart was born in Ottawa in 1854 of a distinguished family. He worked for the Bank of Commerce and organized the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards. He came west in 1881. Major Stewart organized the Stewart Ranch Company with John Herron at Pincher Creek. He laid out the Calgary townsite on section 14 east of the Elbow. He also organized a militia unit in Fort MacLeod. Promoted the opening of coal mines at Anthracite and Canmore. He married Isabel Skead in Ottawa in 1887, she was the daughter of a pioneer lumber merchant. He died in 1893 and was buried in Ottawa. Jack Long was the architect in caarge of the renovations and building owner. A solar shelter has since been built in the backyard. From 1928-1943 the property was owned by Pat Burns Holdings Ltd. * * * Heritage Significance: The Stewart House is one of Calgary's earliest residences located in the original townsite on the east side of the Elbow River. It remains one of the oldest standing houses in the province. Its unusual architecture known locally as Western Gothic features a wrap-around verandah and 'carpenter Gothic' woodwork. It is associated with important local resident John Stewart who was responsible for the formation of the colourful 'Rocky Mountain Rangers' in 1885. Originally one of the first ranchers in the Pincher Creek area, he was later instrumental in the opening of the Anthracite and Canmore coal mines. Historical Importance: This building, completed in 1885, is of provincial historic importance through its associations with Major John Stewart, prominent in the military of Western and Eastern Canada. He organized the escort troops for the Governor General, Prime Minister and Princes Louise, during the 1870s. As a result of the Riel Rebellion in 1885, he started up the Rocky Mountain Rangers as a Home Guard. In Calgary, he was elected to a seven member civic committee to study plans for a new townsite. The Stewarts resided in this house from 1885 until the Major's death in 1893. Architectural Importance: Designed by Winnipeg architect, Moberly, this site portrays unusual Western Gothic architecture. Features included the dormer windows ornate woodwork above the porch pillars and delicate wood trim on the porch verge board. The main architectural importance of this building is that it was one of the first homes built in the old Calgary townsite and remains one of the oldest standing residences in Alberta. * * * Major Stewart Residence Completed in 1885, the Stewart House is one of Calgary's earliest residences located in the original townsite on the east of the Elbow River. It is a simple two storey frame house showing Gothic influences, and features dormer windows, carved trim and a wrap-around verandah. It was associated with Major John Stewart who was responsible for the formation of the Rocky Mountain Rangers in the Riel Rebellion of 1885. Stewart was also one of the first ranchers in the Pincher Creek area and later was important in opening the Anthracite and Canmore Mines. After Stewart's death in 1893, Pat Burns purchased it for use by his company's manager. The residence is now a Provincial Historic Resource. * * * Draft for Immediate Release Four of Calgary's Oldest Houses Designated Classified Historic Sites Four of Calgary's oldest houses have designated Classified Historic Sites, the Hon. Horst A. Schmidt announced today. The houses have been designated on the basis of their unusual architecture, age, and historical association with persons of provincial significance. ... Close to the Cross House is the home of the late Major John Stewart, 26 New Street. Completed in 1885, it was one of the first homes built in the old townsite and is one of the oldest in the province. This building shows the unusual Western Gothic Architecture and 'carpenters Gothic' woodwork. It is of two-storey frame and has a wrap-around porch. Major Stewart, was prominent in the Canadian Military and organizer of the framed 'Rocky Mountain Rangers.' He was one of the first ranchers near Pincher Creek and as instrumental in the opening of the Anthracite and Canmore coal mines. The house is currently owned and occupied by architectural firm. ... * * * 1910 - Francis M Black (Account) Treas. P. Burns Co. 1915 - F.G. Carpenter (eng.) P. Burns 1920 - Chas A. Bovey gen. sis mgr. P. Burns Co 1925 - John Greene chaurf P. Burns Co 1930 - Carrol F. Quinn John Greene s/smn Burns Co. 1935 - Lawrence Snell emp Eatons James L Fry dry clnr Templeton's Ltd. 1940 - Oliver Corliss * * * 1854 - Born at Ottawa, June 11, 1854. Youngest son of William Stewart and Catherine Stewart, both parents being direct descendants of the Stewarts of Appin, and Mrs. Stewart having been born at Guidrach, Isle of Skye, May 1, 1819. William Stewart was a member of the Canadian Legislature and Ottawa lumberman. The Ottawa suburb of Stewarton was named for this family, the streets being called after various members - Flora, Isabelle, McLeod, Archibald, etc. The National Museum now stands on the site of Appin House, the Stewart home. McLeod Stewart, brother of John Stewart, was Mayor of Ottawa during 1887 and 1988. On completion of John Stewart's education, he was employed by the Bank of Commerce in Ottawa, later being transferred to Strathroy as accountant. 1872 - Member of Volunteer Militia Troop of Cavalry (authorized 1872) which furnished cavalry escort for Governor-General at opening of Parliament in 1873 and 1874. While at Strathroy organized Mounted Escort for Sir John A. Macdonald, then Prime Minister. 1878 - Asked by Sir John to re-organize Ottawa Volunteer Militia Troop of Cavalry to supply escort for Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria, and her husband, the Marquis of Lorne, the new Governor-General. 1879 - Ottawa Volunteer Militia Troop of Cavalry became Princess Louise Dragoon Guards under John Stewart's command. John Herron (ex-N.W.M.P. and later Pincher Creek settler) was troop sergeant-major. 1881 - Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald offered Stewart position of Commisioner of Dominion Police Force, which offer was turned down because of decision to leave for the West. In the summer of 1881, John Stewart came West and with John Herron formed 'The Stewart Ranche Company'. Purchased 3,000 head of cattle and 1,000 head of horses in Utah, which were driven up through the Crown's Nest Pass. The Company took over the old Mounted Police farm at Pincher Creek.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
Provincial Historic Resource Rescinded	1977/11/29 2001/06/20

Register:	07-116

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places:	4665-0544