Notice of Intention to Designate 3 Main Street, Dundas (Former Valley Lodge No. 100)

Description of Property

The 0.06-acre property at 3 Main Street is comprised of a two-storey brick commercial building constructed circa 1875, located near the southeast corner of Main Street and King Street in the historic downtown core of Dundas, in the City of Hamilton.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

The cultural heritage value of the property located at 3 Main Street lies in its design value as a representative example of the Second Empire architectural style in the former Town of Dundas, as demonstrated by its Mansard roof with dormer windows, polychromatic slate tiles, and central cupola, as well as its design value as a rare, unique and early example of the Renaissance Revival architectural style in the former Town of Dundas, as demonstrated by its alternating triangular and segmental pediments and moulded cornices.  It is also a rare and early example of the use of the architectural use of galvanized iron for decorative exterior window hoods in Dundas. The building displays a high degree of craftsmanship in the form of its polychromatic hexagonal slate Mansard roof, galvanized ironwork, and decorative wood brackets.

The historical value of the property lies in its direct association with Britton Bath Osler (1839-1901), the original owner of the building and a prominent lawyer, most well-known for his work as a prosecuting attorney in the treason trial of Louis Riel.  The historical value of the property also lies in its direct association with the Valley Lodge No. 100 A.F. & A.M., who occupied the building for nearly 150 years.

The contextual value of the property lies in its role in defining the historic character of the former Town of Dundas, located at the prominent corner of Main and King streets.  The building is visually, physically and historically linked to its surroundings as part of the surviving mid- to late-nineteenth century commercial streetscape and the row of buildings from 2 King Street East to 15 Main Street.  The building is also considered to be a local landmark, identifiable by its unique central cupola.

The key attributes that embody the cultural heritage value of the property as a representative example of the Second Empire style and Renaissance Revival styles of architecture, and a high degree of craftsmanship, and its historical association with previous owner B.B. Osler include the:

• Front (west) elevation and roofline of the two-storey brick structure including its:
  • Mansard roof with its:
    • Polychromatic hexagonal slate tiles;
    • Central crowning cupola with flanking semi-circular dormers;
    • Projecting eave with decorative paired wooden brackets below;
    • Raised brick parapet to the south with a carved stone end bracket;
  • Nine-bay front elevation with its:
    • Round-arched window openings in the second storey with galvanized iron window hoods consisting of alternating designs of triangular and segmental pediments with decorative rosettes, and plain stone sills;
    • Flat-headed openings in the first-storey with one-over-one hung wood windows, plain stone lintels, and stone lug sills with stone drips;
    • Moulded decorative cornice above the first storey with decorative galvanized iron brackets;
    • Plain brick piers separating the first-storey bays; and,
    • Stone foundation.

The key attributes that embody the contextual value of the property as a defining feature of the historical character of Main Street and the community of Dundas, and as a local landmark include its:

• Location fronting onto Main Street; and,
• Central cupola.