Notice of Designation 635 Drum Road Geographic Township of Manvers

Take Notice that the Council of the City of Kawartha Lakes, on June 24, 2025, passed By-law 2025-093 to designate the following property under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.18, as a property of cultural heritage value or interest:

635 Drum Road, Geographic Township of Manvers
PT LT 11 CON 3 MANVERS AS IN R353336; KAWARTHA LAKES  

Statement of Reasons for Designation

Design and Physical Value

635 Drum Road has design and physical value as a representative example of late-nineteenth-century Gothic Revival farmhouse, a style that was both distinctive and influential in rural Ontario. This architectural style was extremely popular in rural and small-town Ontario in the late nineteenth century and reflects the distinct evolution of the Gothic Revival style in the province. Likely constructed around 1888, the property demonstrates key characteristics of Gothic Revival farmhouse architecture, including its asymmetrical L-shaped layout and ornate design elements. Notable features that are typical of this style include its ornate gingerbread with cross bracing under the gables on the front and east-facing elevations, large verandahs, polychromatic brickwork and its multiple gables.

Historical and Associative Value

635 Drum Road has historical and associative value through its associations with four prominent figures in the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth-century Pontypool: William Albert Corbett; the Reverends William Caldwell Windell and David Percy Oswald; and William Coulter. Corbett, one of Pontypool’s earliest settlers, was a farmer, large property holder, and served as the Reeve of Manvers Township in 1922, was the first owner of the property, prior to the construction of the house. After the construction of the house in the late 1880s, the property was sold to the Reverend William C. Windell, the minster of the Pontypool Presbyterian Church and Manvers circuit who also worked principal and teacher at various schools in Manvers The property served as the Presbyterian manse until 1916 when it was occupied Windell and his successor, David P. Oswald before sale to the Coulter family, prominent businesspeople in Pontypool. Through its occupants, the property yields information about both the development of Pontypool in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, as well as the role and development of the Presbyterian Church in the community.

Contextual Value

635 Drum Road has contextual value as a contributing feature to the historic landscape of Pontypool as one of a variety of late nineteenth and early twentieth century structures erected during its major period of growth and development. The property is located in an area of Pontypool that contains a wide array of residences that were erected during a similar period in the late-nineteenth to early-twentieth century that reflects the character of the community as a small village within a rural area. It is historically and visually linked to its surroundings as part of the development of Pontypool as a distinct community within Manvers Township around the turn of the century. 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 June 30, 2025 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 property, 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