Notice of Designation 35 Bolton Street Village of Bobcaygeon

Statement of Reasons for Designation

Design and Physical Value
35 Bolton Street has design and physical value as a rare example of a Romanesque Revival bank building in Kawartha Lakes. Constructed between 1913 and 1914, the bank is representative of the Romanesque Revival style as it had evolved by the early twentieth century and includes features typical of this architectural style, such as its rusticated coursed stone construction, rounded arch windows and cornice, which were prevalent feature in Romanesque Revival architecture. The use of the Romanesque Revival style in bank architecture was rare, as Classical styles were generally preferred, and the subject property is the only example in Kawartha Lakes. It is the only purpose-built historic bank building extant in Bobcaygeon and is also unique in the community in this regard.

Historical and Associative Value
35 Bolton Street has historical and associative value as part of the commercial development of downtown Bobcaygeon throughout the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. In its former role as the Bank of British North America, and later the Bank of Montreal, the property yields information regarding the role and development of banking in small town Ontario in the early years of the twentieth century when national banks rapidly expanded with new branches across the country; it was the village’s first purpose built bank. The property also has historical value through its architect, William Alexander Langton, the son of prominent Verulam settler John Langton and its contractor, Peter Grant, one of turn of the century Bobcaygeon’s important builders whose work significantly shaped the build landscape of the village.

Contextual Value
35 Bolton Street has contextual value as part of the historic commercial landscape of downtown Bobcaygeon. Constructed at the southwest corner of Bolton and Canal Streets, the building forms part of a continuous streetwall along the west side of Bolton Street, mostly constructed in the wake of the 1913 fire that destroyed a significant part of the downtown. As part of this streetwall, it is historically and physically linked to its surroundings and is a contributing feature to the historic character of downtown Bobcaygeon. It is also a local landmark for its prominent architecture, location as a corner anchor building and longstanding use as a bank.

Further information respecting the designation is available at the City’s Economic Development Department. Interested parties may object to the designating by-law to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Any objection to this designation must be filed within 30 days of August 1, 2024 and include the reasons for objection to the designating by-law and the fee charged by the Tribunal. Objections should be directed to: Cathie Richie, Clerk, City of Kawartha Lakes, P.O. Box 9000, 26 Francis Street, Lindsay, ON K9V 5R8.

The by-law will come into effect on the day following the last day of the notice period.

For more information regarding the designation, please refer to its Heritage Evaluation Report.

Any inquiries may be directed to:

Economic Development Officer- Heritage Planning
City of Kawartha Lakes,
180 Kent Street West, Lindsay, ON  K9V 2Y6
(705) 324-9411 ext.1366
eturner@kawarthalakes.ca