Merrickville like most of the settlements on the Rideau river system developed beside the “Great Falls” which provided the water power to drive early development. In the 1790’s, William Merrick a United Empire Loyalist received a Crown grant and built a saw mill, around which grew the community then known as Merrick’s Mills.
The Rideau Canal opened in 1832 and the commerce it brought stimulated the community’s growth and, in 1860 the Village of Merrickville was incorporated.
As the railways grew, other locations were chosen as divisional junctions and by the 1880’s Merrickville’s period of major growth had ended. From then until the 1960’s the village slumbered in relative obscurity.
As a result, Merrickville’s unique character and architecture survived many of the ravages of modernization. And so, today it exists as a modern village with a naturally preserved 19th century flavour.
Aaron Mirick House
905 St Lawrence St
The Aaron Mirick House, now the Hilltop Manor, is a picturesque two and one half story house set on a large property at the edge of the town. Having probably been built about 1845-1855 for this prominent local businessman and later Reeve of Merrickville (1860), by Samuel Langford, a well known local builder, its dormer windows, front porch and casement type windows are elements which combine to give an overall elegance to the house. It was owned by H.F. McLean, a wealthy contractor and engineer of international repute who, about 1920, apparently removed a full width veranda, and added end porches and roof dormers to the house. The main staircase inside, as wel as the ceiling plaster work in the main floor front rooms are noteworthy interior elements. This house warrants designation for its craftmanship, its architectural elements, its overall pleasing appearance, and its historical background.
George Mirick House
105 Lewis St
The George Mirick House, built about 1855-1860,now owned by Mr. Edward Miller, is a good example of the stone house architecture found in Merrickville dating from the mid nineteenth century. The front entranceway is of a quality which is usually only found in larger homes. The casement-type windows in the facade are unusual and perhaps copied from the older Aaron Mirick house on St. Lawrence St. It merits designation from the historical standpoint as well as for the quality of its construction and uniqueness of its details.
Stephen Mirick House
106 Brock St E
The Stephen Mirick House is unique amongst the stone houses in Merrickville. Now owned by Arthur Heroux, it is built in a style which borrows from the Greek, with its classical porch, the entablature of which is mirrored along the top of the ashlar stone facade, with its pilasters in relief at the corners.The scale of the five bay facade with its large windows, evokes a feeling of grandeur not obtained from the overall size of the building. Sitting, as it does, on a tree lined street, it is indeed a cool, quiet and picturesque scene, just off St. Lawrence St. Having been built around 1850, this house was the home of the son of the founder of Merrickville, a local business and landowner. This fact, combined with its unique stone work, renders it worthy of designation.
William Mirick House No. 2
106 Amelia St
The second William Mirick House now owned by William Watson is certainly one of the oldest stone houses in the Village, having been built between 1800 and 1821. While added to since, the original one and one half story cottage has unusually vertical proportions due to the fact that it has two windows in the upper (front) facade as well as the normal two on the lower part. It also retains a wood shingle roof, which is the material of the original roof cover. The relationship with the larger house (his third) is also important, as is the wide open land running down to the river, showing the relationship that existed when William first built this house.
Willian Mirick House No. 3
129 Mill St
The third house of William Mirick, founder of Merrickville is a large two and one half story stucco-covered building situated on a large tree covered lot. The elegance of the front and side (south west) facades, crowned by large chimneys, is appreciated as one approaches through the gate posts ,up the long, curving driveway. Now owned by Mr. James Milne, it has been owed by William Mirick, Aaron and Terrence Mirick, and William Pearson, over the years, since its construction about 1821-1827. William Pearson reputedly altered the exterior, and added some fine woodwork inside,particularly in the front hall and main parlour, and some intricate plaster work in the two main floor front rooms. The house, today, is a well preserved, stately home, worthy of preservation for its age, its architectural details, and its historical importance.
Hutchins-Heroux Commercial Building
212-224 St Lawrence St
This two story, six bay design rubble stone building has recently been renovated with careful attention to historical detail and adds an attractive element to the downtown commercial streetscape. The building is an excellent example of early Eastern Ontario commercial architecture. Commercial buildings of this period were often designed like houses but with larger windows on the first floor. The building may have been built by William Mirick and is thought to date c. 1835. Its architectural character and its contribution to the commercial streetscape merits its designation.
Mills House
130 Brock St W
The house as built in two sections, both of rubble stone with quoins of larger, roughly squared stone. The larger section of the house is a two story, three bay side hall plan with a small porch. The end walls continue above roof level culminating in chimneys at both ends. The porch is supported by columns with Corinthian capitols. The other part of the house is also two story, of two bay design with the door at left opening on to a full width verandah. The house was built by John Mills c. 1860 as a furniture factory and store and was converted to a residence in 1885. The house's architectural design and history make it well worth designation.
Mary Pearson House
111 Main St E
This brick one and a half story building is one of Merrickville's most picturesque buildings. Built on a cross gable plan, it is decorated with yellow brick quoins, window and door arches. The building is also
graced with heavy "gingerbread" boarding under the steep gables and on the verandah.
The building was built c. 1890 and owned by William Pearson co-owner of the Pearson-Magee Foundry. In 1910 It became the property of his daughter, Mary Pearson. Miss Pearson donated it to the village of Merrickville for use as a library in 1938.
The building is picturesque and prominently located on the Main Street and beside the canals locks. It is well worth designation.
Aaron Mirick Building
106-112 St Lawrence St
This three story commercial building was built c. 1856-59 by Aaron Mirick, son of the founder of Merrickville. It is built of cut stone with six bays on St. Lawrence Street and seven bays on Main Street. Despite changes to the facade and deteriorating condition, the building remains of high architectural interest and historical significance. Original features such as four-paned casement windows and an ashlar stone facade across the front of the first story remain. Situated on the corner of St. Lawrence and Main Streets, it dominates the West side of St. Lawrence and adds balance and visual interest to the town's principal intersection.
Due to its architectural design, historical association with town's founding family and importance in the balance of Merrickville's downtown commercial area, the building is worthy of designation and preservation.
Derbyshire Store
136 St Lawrence St
Reasons for designation under The Ontario Heritage Act. 1974
Derbyshire's store was built c. 1848-55 of rubble stone covered with stucco. The north end wall is roughly done rubble stone, perhaps in anticipation of the construction of another building which was never built. A two floor extension of the main building is located along, Wellington Street. Despite obvious changes to its ground floor windows, the building retains some of its original character and adds an element to the commercial streetscape of downtown Merrickville. Therefore, it is appropriate to designate this building.
John Burchill House
518 St Lawrence St
This handsome house was built by John Burchill, surveyor, in the 1860's. It is built in the Georgian Style, with a five bay symmetrical design of polychromatic brick with cut stone quoins at the corners. The doorway is built in the neo-classical design with a fan window and side lights. There are double chimneys at each end of the roof accenting the symmetrical design. At the rear of the house is a rubble stone, one story building which may be John Burchill's original house.
The house is in excellent repair.
This building is worthy of designation for its exceptional attractiveness alone. It adds beauty to the streetscape of St. Lawrence Street.
Patterson House
111 Brock St E
This graceful one and a half story shiplap wooden house is almost certainly built over an original log house. The roof is a single gable with brick chimneys at either end interrupted by a large dormen window, perhaps a late addition judging from its returning gable design which is different from the design of the main roof. The facade is three bay, center hall design with a full width verendah across the front supported by four posts. The posts are turned and adorned with carved brackets at their tops. The graceful appearance of the house coupled with its log house ancestry makes it worthy of designation.
Pericval House
206 Main St E
The Percival House, built for Roger Percival, owner of the Percival Plow Company c. 1890 is cne of Merrickville's largest and most impressive houses. Built in the "Richardsonian Romanesque" style, it is a two and a half story building decorated with stonework. The ground plan is complex with bay windows and an hexagonal tower. The front porch is decorated with a large stone arch and a handsome round stained glass window.
The house is well worth designation for several reasons:
its impressive size, its historical associations, its location on the Main Street near the canal locks and its destinctive architectural style.
Ken Heroux Building
606 & 612 St Lawrence St
This 2 storey double residence is recommended for designation as being of architectural value. The residence, c.1870 has a metal roof, stone rubble walls with cut stone quoins anú 2 stringer courses. There are indications that the building probably had a porch or verandah at one time. Windows, wood hung, 9/9 windows with stone flat arches with stone sills. Two windows in each floor in gable end same as front.
Overhanging bracketed eaves and lentils; returning gable, front doors set back in walls and pannelled; appears to have original doors.
Jakes-McLean Block
105-129 St Lawrence St
This imposing 3 story stone commercial and residential building dominates the most visible and important cross roads in Merrickville, together with the stone United Church, the stone Blockhouse, and the stone Aaron Merrick Building. Started in 1861 and finished several years later it is L shaped with both facades divided horizontally and vertically into bays with the windows being reduced in size as the building rises. The interior is significant as it has beautiful wood-work throughout and particularly in the "Heritage Room" on the second floor. This building, has always played an important part in the life of Merrickville as a busy general store, bank, and post office. Later it became the head office of Harry F. Maclean for approximately 20 years.
Mirick Tavern
106 Mill St
The building is a one and one half story stone house which was apparently a tavern at one time. The stone walls are of rubble stone construction. The roof of the building is of corrigated metal and supports two large stucco covered chimneys one at either end of the singular gable. The plan is rectangular with the long side facing the street, set back perhaps 15 feet from the sidewalk. The facade is three bay asymmetrical with the door being to the left (south) of centre to the left and to the right of the door are two smallish wood frame windows. These windows have stone lintels of the flat arch variety. The southerly one has a wooden side the other appears to have a stone or cement sill which is probably cement over the original wood sill. In the south gable there are two small windows upstairs and none on the ground floor. The house is set down on grade and appears to have no basement perhaps because of its closeness to the river.
Merrick Hotel
118 Main St E
The Merrick Hotel is recommended for designation as being of architectural and historical value. It was erected in 1861 and is one of the older surviving members of the buildings of its time which exemplify the character of the community. The building is 2 storeys of stone rubble wall with rough cut quoins, soled stone lintels and sills, with 5 bay center hall plan, the door set back amid panelling. The metal roofing: applied on the diagonal is like the roof on the third William Merrick house was originally. There is a huge cornice with dentils and brackets. The building was originally a residence for Mr. Samuel Jakes a prominent merchant.
Old Town Hall
229 Main St W
This 2 story stone building with flat stone arches above windows with panelled double doors, hipped roof with tower in north hip built in 1852-57. The corner stone was laid in August 1856 after the building was almost completed. The first council meeting was held in September 1857.
The building was Merrickville's first Town Hall and was also the jail, the firehall, and auditorium.
Byrne House
105 Brock St E
This building is recommended for designation as being of architectural and historic value. The house dates from circa 1840. Its construction of stacked plank represents a unique historical construction method. Although it is at present unfortunately suffering from additions covering it, it merits restoration to the original if feasible. It is a part of the historic streetscape.
Donovan Commercial Building
236-242 St Lawrence St
This two and a half story brick building is well preserved and has several unusual features. The double transom lights over the doors and the roof line are of unusual design and the repetition of arches from first floor to attic makes an attractive architectural statement. All of the exterior architectural features of the building remain in good repair. The building was built in the late 19th Century and was used as a furniture store by the Mills Family after 1886. Its excellent condition and attractive qualities add considerably to the downtown streetscape it is worthy of designation.
Ingall’s House
512 St Lawrence St
This one and one-half storey stone house is recommended for designation as being worthy of architectural and historical value.
There is a low, wide gable in front, with door in the gable. The main door, set back in the wall has panels framing it, with square top light, all with the typical Merrickville pattern. The stone work is in excellent shape, laid in regular courses, with smooth cut quoins. Sills are stone. The dentils in the eaves, servin as attic ventilation are in the Greek tradition. It was built about 1850.
Langford House
306 Elgin St
This one and one-half storey house is recommended for designation as being of historical and architectural value. Built by Fred I Langford, c. 1863, it is similar to one farther up the street. It has a symmetrical facade, cross gable plan, two identical front verandahs and central bay window entrance on each side. It is one of the few examnles of board on board siding. There is iron railing tracery bracketed eaves.
Miss Langford House
506 Elgin St
This building is recommended for designation as being of architecturaï and historic value. The original one and one-half storey house was built by Mr. Langford for his daughter between1886-91.
The board siding building is highlighted by the front verandah, squared off bay window on the south side and gingerbread on the eaves. By itself the house is excellent and is important as one of the group of houses on this block.
Doctor's
147 St Lawrence St
This 2 and half storey shop built c. 1860 is significant as part of the streetscape of the main business section of the Village. The main building is of rubble stone construction with flat arch stone lintels in a three-bay side hall plan. The upper storey, probably a later addition, is built into the roof.
Knox Hall
618 St Lawrence St
Knox Presbyterian Church, built in 1861 is recommended for designation for architectural and historical reasons. It is the oldest original church building in the Village. Architecturally it is of interest as it appears to be modelled after earlier churches built of wood. It is built of red brick with a tower of yellow brick, a later addition. The symmetrical facade is centered by the square tower. Windows in each wall, are double arched with pointed Gothic arches. Tower corners have wood finials.
By Cabin
441 Main St E
This house is of unusual shape and features, which together with an association of the site with a cabin built by Col. By makes it worthy of designation.
On a large, treed lot on the river this 1 and a half storey house appears to have been built in 3 stages, all with the same brick and some yellow brick, details in quoins, and in stepped arches over windows and doors and circular piece in gables. There is cross gable, and dormer in the side. Windows are tall, slender 1/1 wood hung, with wood sills and arched heads.
Fitzgerald House
206 Colborne St E
This is a 1 and a half storey brick house with stone foundation with basic rectangular design, single gable, 2 bay side hall plan. There is a bay window to the left.
Windows are arched head, with brick arches. The red brick is highlighted with buff brick ornamentation around doors and windows. The porch is simple but complimentary design.
Magee House
205 Mill St
Originally built in the 1840's with modifications made toward the end of the 19th Century the house has architectural significance with evidence of "before and after" modifications available. Historically it is significant for its association with the industrial history of the village, having been owned by one of the early developers.
As it stands it is a 2 and a half storey brick house, with turret, on a large, treed lot which provides an elegant setting. There is a brick coach house.
A veranda across the front continues down the side of the house, rounding the corner, with a cupola roof, and having decorative iron railing. The entrance has double columns. There is an iron finial on the turret.
There are palladan windows above the front door and again in the front dormer and a bull's eye beside the front door with leaded stained glass. There is stained glass above the large view window on the side of the door opposite the bull's eye and above the door. There is an elliptical bull's eye in the second story.
Overhanging eaves have Italianate eave brackets.
McManus House
230 Brock St W
This 1 and a half storey house, with 3 bay symmetrical plan is of a structure characteristic of mid-nineteenth century. It 1s timber frame with corner posts visible as part of the interior. Typical of the working man's house of the time it was part of a small farm operation. It has potential for restoration to become part of the streetscape typical of earlier times. Windows are two above and two below on both gable ends.
Petapiece House
207 Brock St E
This is a large 2 and a half storey frame house, basically L-shaped with a shed roofed addition. The roof is interrupted by two chimneys (brick) one at the right hand gable, one at the rear of the front gable. Siding is of ship lap wood, with vertical strips of wood to finish corners. The facade is two-bay, with entrance to the right, and main window bay to the left in configuration of 3 sides of an octagon. The entrance porch is adorned with spool work under the eaves and turned ballisters, railings and posts. Along the front of the side gable there is a full length verandah with the decoratave work matching the entrance porch. Over the bay window are two (over) wood framed windows, and over the porch a french type door. In the side gable extension there is a middle door with 1 over 1 windows on either side, with two more on second storey. In the peak of front there is a further pair of windows with semi-circular beads. The attic window in the side gable matches. All windows have segmented shutters. Each window has the shadow of a classical styled pediment as part of the wood surrounds. A similar pediment is found under the eaves around the house.
McKibbon Building
112 - 118 St Lawrence St
The property at 112 - 118 St. Lawrence Street known locally as the McKibbon building, is recommended tor designation as being architecturally and historically significant. This building was constructed in the period 1830 to 1840 wich a major change to the exterior between 1860 and 1880. In 1856 it was the home of the "MerrickviLle Mechanics Institute and Library Association". This association was incorporated on 04 February 1857 by an Act of Parliament at Westminister. The Mechanics Institutes were exclusively for the education of adults beyond the basic Three R's and as the schools developed, particularly high schools, the Mechanics Institutes became the forerunners of today's Public Library System. The Merrickvine Institute was the first such Institute in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. The building is laid in a cut stone (ashler) being two storeys high with gable ends and metal roof. There are seven windows on the upper storey and six on the ground floor; also, two doorway openings on the ground floor. The door opening on the north end of the facade has a rounded arch. In the original building the southern doorway was a window and at the very southern end of the building in what is now a window, was located the original door with a rounded semi-circular arch of the same design as the northern door. On the cut stone over the southern facade of the building is the outline of a painted sign going back to the early years. There a number of iron tie bars still visible on the facade on the wood cornices are still in position. The building also contains an interior brick chimney. This designation does not make any reference to the interior of the property.
Dr. Leach House
106 Colborne St E
A large red brick, two story Victorian structure with a square front section and a brick summer kitchen addition, all dating from about 1880. The hip roof has a dormer in front, along with summer kitchen roof has a simple gable. Important decorative features include a full wood front porch with balcony. Also important are this house's arched windows with delicate tracery over each windows' upper sash.
Spillway Farm
437 County Road 23
The property at 1437 County Road 23 known locally as the Spillway Farm, is recommended for designation as being architecturally and historically significant. Stone house with low-to-medium pitch roof with attached summer kitchen and post-and-beam drive shed.
