The Gothic Revival Cottage

Southampton is fortunate to have an abundance of charming Gothic Revival cottages that make a significant contribution to the beauty and historical character of our town.  Southampton Cultural Heritage Conservancy photographers are informed and inspired by the writings of heritage conservation expert John Blumenson, who happens to be a Southampton homeowner. In his book chapter entitled “Gothic Revival (1830-1900),” he has written that “small Gothic Revival cottages were promoted by such academics as J.C. Loudon and A.J. Downing, but also by The Canadian Farmer, vol. 2, 1865. Vernacular variations of this small centre-gable cottage were very popular.”  Source: John Blumenson, Ontario Architecture: A Guide to Styles and Building Terms 1784 to the Present (Toronto: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1990): 37-51.  

 

 
 
 
 
20 Front St, built in 1870 for cooper Augustus Granville, Jr., has a lovely round-headed gable window and arched trim over windows and front door transom.

20 Front St, built in 1870 for cooper Augustus Granville, Jr., has a lovely round-headed gable window and arched trim over windows and front door transom.

 
 
An illustration from The Canadian Farmer, vol. 2, 1865, p. 244.

An illustration from The Canadian Farmer, vol. 2, 1865, p. 244.

87 Grosvenor St South, built in 1877 by Irwin Rusk, tinsmith and hardware merchant, the Gothic Revival features include the windowed centre gable over the front door, the steep pitched roof with side gables, and wide front porch with turned posts.

87 Grosvenor St South, built in 1877 by Irwin Rusk, tinsmith and hardware merchant, the Gothic Revival features include the windowed centre gable over the front door, the steep pitched roof with side gables, and wide front porch with turned posts.

 
160 Leeder Lane is visible on the 1890 Fire Insurance map, suggesting it was built before 1890.

160 Leeder Lane is visible on the 1890 Fire Insurance map, suggesting it was built before 1890.

57 Victoria St South, built c.1890 by John Cole, carpenter, this house of painted brick has a round-headed window and an interesting front door.

57 Victoria St South, built c.1890 by John Cole, carpenter, this house of painted brick has a round-headed window and an interesting front door.

 
319 Saugeen St, built c.1867 by John MacLean (1803-1882) is a log house with a round-headed window in the centre gable.

319 Saugeen St, built c.1867 by John MacLean (1803-1882) is a log house with a round-headed window in the centre gable.

164 Albert St South, built in 1883 by Simon Oliver, chandler. The decorative porch posts and brackets are attractive features on this brick centre gable Gothic Revival cottage.

164 Albert St South, built in 1883 by Simon Oliver, chandler. The decorative porch posts and brackets are attractive features on this brick centre gable Gothic Revival cottage.