Oshawa Council has announced its intention to designate one of the homes of Robert and Eleanor McLaughlin as a property of cultural heritage value or interest.
195 Simcoe Street North is the former home of Robert and Eleanor McLaughlin, a family which has had a tremendous economic impact on the growth of Oshawa’s community. It was one of four homes in Oshawa that Robert McLaughlin, founder of the McLaughlin Carriage Company, resided in, and the only residence of his in Oshawa still in existence. Built in 1887, 195 Simcoe Street North contains examples of Classical Revival design, and was one of the early homes constructed on Simcoe Street North. It is reflective of Oshawa’s early settlers and the beginnings of development in this part of the city, said a city statement.
The house is located on a portion of a 0.2 hectare (0.5 ac.) property and contains the building commonly known as the ‘McLaughlin House’”, built in 1887. The property also contains three dwellings at 201 Simcoe Street North, 12 and 16 Elgin Street East, which are not part of the scope of this designation. The McLaughlin House sits in the southwest quadrant of the property, at the northeast corner of Simcoe Street North and Elgin Street East. The building is two storeys in height, of brick construction, and currently is vacant. It was converted from residential to office uses in the 1960s.
While the full particulars of the Reasons for Designation for the subject property, including heritage attributes to be protected, are normally available for inspection in Planning Services, 8th Floor, City Hall, 50 Centre Street South, between 8:30 am. and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, access to City Hall is subject to Covid-19 protocols. Accordingly, if any one would like to obtain further details, they can contact Connor Leherbauer, Planner B at (905) 436-3311 ex. 2402 or by email at cleherbauer@oshawa.ca.
Any person may, on or before the 3rd day of May, 2021, send by registered mail or deliver to the City Clerk, Notice of Objection to the proposed designation, together with a statement of their reasons for the objection and all relevant facts. If a Notice of Objection is received, the Council of the City of Oshawa will refer the matter to the Conservation Review Board for a hearing and a report, the statement said.