A Statement from Mayor Virginia Hackson on fire in East Gwillimbury

Yesterday, a fire destroyed the Stephen Howard Jr. House which was designated by the Town as being of cultural heritage value or interest on January 19, 2015.

On behalf of Council, I’d like to express gratitude to the brave firefighters and emergency personnel who battled this fire. Thankfully no-one was injured.

Built in 1864, the Stephen Howard Jr. House was known for its architectural features. Its original owner, Stephen Howard Jr, was the son of one of the first Quaker settlers in the area.

The property was slated to be relocated to the lands adjacent to the historic Sharon Temple.

The loss of this, or any heritage property, is a loss for East Gwillimbury. To the Howard family and to the East Gwillimbury community I am saddened by the loss of this historic home and for the future it will never see.