Notice of Intention to Designate

The Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill

Re:       Notice of Intention to Designate
             159 Mill Street
             City of Richmond Hill ON L4C 4B1
             City File No.: D12-07334

Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill (“Council”) intends to designate the above noted property as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under part IV and pursuant to section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990,c.0.18.

And take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill stated their intention to designate said property under the Ontario Heritage Act on October 23rd, 2024.

A statement explaining the cultural heritage value or interest of the property and a description of the heritage attributes of the property is set out below.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest:

The Thomas Smith House at 159 Mill Street, built circa the 1850s, has physical and design value as a rare surviving example of the Ontario Cottage style in Richmond Hill. The Thomas Smith House consists of a one-storey frame structure and a rear addition. Architectural features that contribute to the Ontario Cottage style include its modest one-storey massing, its low, medium-pitched hipped roof with wide eaves, and its symmetrical three bay front façade with a centered doorway.

The Thomas Smith House at 159 Mill Street has historical and associative value for its association with Thomas Smith, who lived on the property between 1852 and 1867. Smith was an early settler in the Richmond Hill community and contributed to its development by building the subject house in the 1850s. Smith was a sawmiller by trade and was elected Pathmaster in Vaughan township in 1861 and 1863. He also ran a small farm during his tenure at the subject property.

The Thomas Smith House at 159 Mill Street also has historical and associative value for its association with the Keall-Empringham family, who owned, lived at, and ran a farm at the subject property from 1881 to 1912. The Keall-Empringham’s longstanding agricultural activity is indicative and representative of nineteenth and early twentieth century life on Mill Street, then located on the outskirts of early Richmond Hill village.

The Thomas Smith House at 159 Mill Street has contextual value because it is functionally and historically linked to its surroundings on Mill Street. In the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, Mill Street was located on the outskirts of Richmond Hill village and featured residential buildings mixed with industrial and agricultural properties. The Thomas Smith House has historic and functional links to Mill Street because of its longtime use as a farm. As well, the house has links to Mill Street’s industrial past as the house was built for Thomas Smith, who worked at the nearby sawmill on the Upper East Don River.

Description of Heritage Attributes:

• The scale, form, and massing of the one-storey historical front (south) portion of the building, featuring a rectangular plan;
• The medium-pitched hipped roof with deep eaves;
• The frame construction;
• The appearance of clapboard siding;
• The symmetrical three-bay composition of the main (south) façade;
• The window and door openings, including:
  • The centered flat-headed doorway with paneled half-sidelights;
  • The flat-headed window openings with wooden surrounds;
  • The appearance of 12-over-12 hung window units; and
• The building’s scale, siting, and orientation on the north side of Mill Street.

Note: the building’s rear (north) addition and barn are not considered to possess heritage attributes.

Notice of Objection:

Any person who objects to the above noted Council’s intention to designate shall, within 30 days after the publication of this notice, serve on the Clerk of the City of Richmond Hill, a Notice of Objection setting out the reason for the objection and all relevant facts. The last day to submit the Notice of Objection is December 4th, 2024.

Service may be made digitally by email to clerks@richmondhill.ca or by delivery personally to the City Clerk or by Regular Mail at the following address:

Stephen M.A. Huycke, City Clerk
The City of Richmond Hill
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill ON  L4B 3P4

Obtaining Additional Information:

Additional information about heritage planning at the City of Richmond Hill may be obtained by contacting Heritage Planning City staff by e-mail at heritage@richmondhill.ca. Take note that a Notice of Objection may only be served to the Clerk of the City of Richmond Hill as stated above.

Dated this 4th day of November, 2024

Stephen M.A. Huycke, City Clerk
The Corporation of the City of Richmond Hill
225 East Beaver Creek Road
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3P4
E-mail: clerks@richmondhill.ca