GENERAL
Type / PurposeResidence
441 Balsa Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick
441 Balsa Street is a one-and-a-half storey wood-frame residence. It was built in 1894 following a fire in the historical village of St. Mary’s Ferry, now a part of Fredericton.
The history of this building is linked to an event that significantly changed the historical village of St. Mary’s Ferry.
In the 1860s, bridge builder Whitman Haines erected a two-family residence on this lot. This building was used as a rental property. In 1893, a fire started in Biden’s Bakery at the lot behind this one. More than two dozen buildings were destroyed in the ensuing blaze, including the building that formerly stood on this lot. In the spring of 1894, near the end of the rebuilding process, the present residence, also designed for two families, was constructed by Mr. Haines.
For many years, this house was inhabited by the Miles family. One member of the family, Mr. Miles, co-owned the private alley between this house and Bowlen’s store at 73-75 St. Mary’s Street. In later years, this lane would be taken over by the City of Fredericton and developed into Balsa Street.
Municipal Register of Local Historic Places (2009/09/29)
ARCHITECTURE
Date of Construction1894
- One-and-a-half storey wood-frame massing
- Asymmetrical roof with varying rooflines
- Location next to the St. John River
- Garage with a large gable
- Extensive rectangular fenestration
- Pillared and roofed front veranda with a bay window atop it
OWNERSHIP HISTORY
Notable Historic OccupantsMr. Miles:
Lived in this house with his family for several decades. He co-owned the private alley that would one day become Balsa Street.
SOURCES AND DOCUMENTS
Photos
Photograph by the City of Fredericton, taken from the Canada's Historic Places website
Sources Contributors
Gabrielle Byrne
