Heritage

The Town of East Gwillimbury's (EG's) Planning branch oversees heritage matters related to the identification and conservation of heritage properties in EG.

Planning staff work with the Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC) to promote heritage conservation through the protection of heritage sites and implementing policies to guide changes in the area.

Heritage resources may include:

Buildings and structures
Landscapes and streetscapes
Artifacts and photographs

Heritage Notices

Notice of intention to designate 18490 Leslie Street

18490 Leslie Street

William Kiteley House
Part Lot 7 Concession 2, Town of East Gwillimbury, Regional Municipality of York

TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Town of East Gwillimbury intends to designate the following property as a property of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest pursuant to the provisions of Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter O.18, as amended. A brief statement of reasons is included below.

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

The property known municipally as 18490 Leslie Street contains a two-storey residential building with frontage on Leslie Street in the heart of Sharon’s Historic Downtown.

STATEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR INTEREST

Isaac Kiteley was born in 1770 and was active in the early life and development of Sharon. In 1853 Isaac Kiteley sold his portion of the lot to his son, William Kiteley. The 1861 Census lists William Kiteley as a 42-year-old Quaker farmer married to Elizabeth (nee Bannerman), aged 39. The Kiteley family operated a bakery business in Town, with delivery wagons delivering within Sharon and surrounding communities. Beginning in 1858, the Kiteley’s leased part of their land in Sharon to the Sharon School. In 1859, the schoolhouse was erected and the lands were later sold to the school board. The dwelling located on 18490 Leslie Street was built in 1864 and is designed as a representative example of a regional variation of the Gothic Revival architectural style.

The William Kiteley House is a rectangular-shaped one and a half storey, granite rubblestone foundation and yellow brick structure and a centre gable roof that projects beyond the walls. The decorative bargeboard elements draw the eye to the upper centre bar sash window with a splayed top lintel that sits above the front door.

DESCRIPTION OF HERITAGE ATTRIBUTES

Exterior:

A representative example of a regional variation of the Gothic Revival architectural style;
The house is a three-bay façade with a centre door and upper-level window, flanked by two original window openings.
A nailing board for a once-present one-storey veranda, as well as a visual footprint in the brick, spans across the principal elevation.
The principal elevation has a gable roof that projects beyond the walls of the structure.
A decorative bargeboard remains on the principal elevation and the north elevation.
The front door surround is a peaked pediment with plain surround enclosing the glazed 2 panel transom windows and glazed 3 panel sidelites.
All window openings contain a splayed top lintel and sills.
A cornice and covered transom remain on the south elevation.
The exterior foundation walls are constructed with natural stone, primarily granite rubblestone with yellow brick structure on top.

Interior:

A ground floor plan is an original residential building plan of the period (except the kitchen which had been opened and renovated in the early 2000’s);
The window openings are original.
The main entrance opening, and its associated opening and windows are original.
The baseboard molding is original.
The fireplace mantle is original
The interior foundation wall is constructed with multi-wythe brick.
The property has design value or physical value because it is rare, unique, representative, or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method.

The property is an intact example of the Ontario variation of the Gothic Revival architectural style with a three-bay façade, centre door and upper-level window, flanked by two original window openings. The original exterior foundation is constructed with natural stone, primarily granite rubblestone.

Pursuant to Section 29(5) of the Ontario Heritage Act, any person may, before the 9^th day of May, 2024 (within 30 days of the publication of this notice), send by registered mail or deliver to the Clerk of the Town of East Gwillimbury Notice of Objection to the proposed designation together with a statement of the reason for the objection and relevant facts.

Dated at the Town of East Gwillimbury this 9th day of April, 2024.

Notice of intention to designate 19081 Yonge Street

The Council of the Town of East Gwillimbury intends to pass a by-law to designate 19081 Yonge Street pursuant to the provisions of the Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter O.18, as amended.

Cultural Heritage Value

The property known as 19081 Yonge Street has a rich history dating back to 1826 when William James Sloane, originally born in Scotland in 1799, purchased land in Holland Landing. In 1834, Sloane was appointed Postmaster for Holland Landing holding this position until his death in 1867. In 1836, Sloane constructed a home on the subject property which still stands today. Sloane lived in the home until his death and is buried in the Holland Landing Christ Church cemetery overlooking the property.

The location of the William James Sloane House was significant, located at the terminus of the stagecoach route, and in close proximity to the mill, stores, taverns and inns in Holland Landing. The Georgian Style home is constructed of full brick (four layers thick), laid in the Flemish bond pattern for the front, and common bond for the rest of the building. Each end wall has a large chimney, which is incorporated into the parapet. Most of the windows are original to 1836, and are configured in ’12 over 12’, ‘8 over 8’ or ‘6 over 6’ double hung sashes. Most of the original crown glass remains in the window.

The dwelling has been well maintained over the years and maintains many of its original features including some pine floors, trim, bricks etc. The property has physical and historic value, hence the recommendation for designation.

The William James Sloane House

19081 Yonge Street

Part Lot 9 Plan 98
Town of East Gwillimbury,
Regional Municipality of York

A person who objects to the proposed designation shall, within thirty days after the date of publication of this notice of intention to designate, serve on the clerk of the municipality a notice of objection setting out the reason for the objection and all relevant facts.

Where are heritage properties in EG?

EG's heritage properties are maintained in the Heritage Register.

There are 392 properties in the Heritage Register, with 12 of those properties being designated.

You can view the Register of Cultural Heritage Properties to determine if a certain property is on the list. You can also view the Heritage Registry Review Report, 2021.

These documents are available in other formats, please contact Planning staff to request.

What is the difference between a listed and designated property?

A listed property has been identified to have potential heritage value.

A designated property has a legal status under the Ontario Heritage Act, to help protect its heritage value.

How do I remove my property off the Heritage Register?

Contact the Town's Heritage Planner to discuss if there is any historical or architectural value prior to making an application to the Heritage Advisory Committee.

Can I make changes to my property if it is listed on the Heritage Register?

Yes – renovations, additions and alterations to heritage buildings are generally permitted. Please contact the Town's Heritage Planner prior to submitting your building permit to find out how to obtain heritage approval.

Please note that in accordance with Section 27(3) of the Ontario Heritage Act, owners are required to provide the Town at least 60 days notice in writing of their intention to demolish or remove a building or structure on a listed heritage property.

Heritage Advisory Committee

The Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC) makes recommendations to Council on all matters relating to the conservation of buildings of historic or architectural value.

The Town is currently undertaking a Heritage Conservation District Study for the community of Sharon. For more information, please see our Sharon Heritage Conservation District page.