Back to SearchTake notice that the Council for The Corporation of the Town of Innisfil intends to designate 6225 Yonge Street (Rosebank / Montclair Farm) as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV, Section 29 of The Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.0.18, as amended.
Property description
The subject property is described as being Part North ½ Lot 16, Con. 3 Innisfil as in RO1101335, except Part 13 on 51R-736 & RO236985, Innisfil, and is municipally known as 6225 Yonge Street in the Town of Innisfil, County of Simcoe, in the Province of Ontario.
Statement of cultural heritage value or interest
The cultural heritage value of Rosebank / Montclair Farm resides in its design and physical value, historical associations and its contextual presence as a prominent and well-known fixture for northerly travelers along Yonge Street and as the southern gatepost to the village of Churchill.
Design and physical value
The design and physical value of this Georgian-style property is reflected in its two-storey construction with a partial hip roof on each of two sections, three bays and a single-storey side extension with partial hip roof. The cupola on the hip roof of the side extension has a square louvered base with a tall, pointed roof with curved slopes to the edges is an unusual feature. The exterior of the house has been modified; however, the scale, massing, bays, roof, and cupola continue to reflect the stately manor of its original form. The original brick exterior was covered with stucco during renovations undertaken in the 1930’s. The large barn with gambrel roof and stone foundation and smaller drive shed with gable roof completes the image of this well-maintained property.
Historical value
The historical value of Rosebank / Montclair Farm resides in its association with two families - beginning in the early 1800’s with the Boyes family until 1938 when the property was purchased by the Sinclair family who farmed the land until 2019. The first game of curling was played on Hemlock Creek on the property in 1878, with the Churchill Curling Club being one of the first fifteen curling clubs established in Ontario prior to 1900.
Richard (Sr.) and John (Sr.) Boyes were leaders of the Churchill Presbyterian (now United) Church. Richard donated the land for the manse (NW corner of lot) and Robert (son of John) placed the bell once the new church was built in 1885. Mrs. Robert (Annie) Boyes Jr. was well known throughout Simcoe County for her work helping to establish the Simcoe County Museum.
The Sinclair family purchased the farm and undertook extensive repairs and renovation to the farmhouse. Robert Sinclair was an avid supporter of the Churchill Curling Club, donating an annual trophy to be awarded for sportsmanship. When his son Keith took over the farm he specialized in sheep. With more than 500 ewes Montclair Farm caught the eye of shepherds and hosted tours by Large Flock Operators of Ontario, sheep associations and 4-H Clubs.
Contextual value
Contextually, Rosebank/Montclair Farm is the southern gateway to Churchill for travellers on Yonge Street. The farmhouse and barns were built in the mid 1800’s; around the same time as the heritage buildings that line the street at the main hamlet intersection and before the two churches that dominate the streetscape.
Description of heritage attributes
The following heritage attributes contribute to the cultural heritage value of the property:
Front or south side
- First floor main entrance door with straight transom, 6-over-6 panes in door, porch has a hip roof supported by two round columns and two flat columns against the wall.
- Rectangular windows, 6 over 1 panes and shutters are on either side of the door.
- Second floor has three rectangular windows, with 1-over-1 panes with shutters.
West side
The right or south section:
- First floor has 2 windows, 8-over-1 panes with shutters.
- Second floor has 2 windows, 1-over-1 panes with shutters.
The middle section:
- First floor has a side door with small porch flanked by two windows, 1-over-1 with shutters.
- Second floor has two windows, 1-over-1 panes with shutters.
- Single red brick chimney is on the east side of the partial hip roof.
The single storey northern, rear. or left extension:
- Two windows 2-over-1 pane with shutters.
- Cupola on the hip roof.
Outbuildings
- The large barn to the northeast of the house with a steel gambrel roof, vents ridge, stone foundation.
- The drive shed to the north of the house with gable roof and painted brown wood siding, including the sign “Montclair Farm, The Sinclair Family”.
Notice of objection
Any person may serve his or her notice of objection to the proposed designation to the Town Clerk within 30 days of the date of this notice, and no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023. Objections should be directed to the Corporation of the Town of Innisfil, 2101 Innisfil Beach Road, Innisfil, ON L9S 1A1, Attention Ms. Patty Thoma, Town Clerk, or by e-mail: clerksoffice@innisfil.ca. A notice of objection must set out the reason(s) for the objection and all relevant facts.
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