(Click on the photos below to enlarge them)

The Old Smith Houses

531 + 533 Kerr Street (Empire Development location at Kerr & Speers)

First generation immigrants from Scotland who settled in Oakville in 1907 built the houses at 531 & 533 Kerr Street. When built, they were located on the western-most end of an 11 acre orchard.

531 Kerr Street (the front house) and 533 Kerr Street (the rear house) represent the houses of two generations of the family, the rear house having been built first and the front house around twenty years later. They are historically interesting as they are reportedly the only two known surviving houses in the area built of remnants of shale probably dredged from Lake Ontario, a practice which all but stopped around the time of the first world war with the re-introduction of concrete.

Historically the rear house was built in 1911 by the Smiths, who designed the building in a fashion similar to their parent’s old house in Aberdeen shire, Scotland, built around 200 years ago. The front house was constructed from the same building materials, but was built later on in the 1930’s.

The front house has not been subject to any substantial alterations since its construction. The rear house has had a number of additions. The original building was symmetrical about the front door in the style of an eighteen-century Scottish house. Further additions were also made to the rear of the property.

Over 150 Years Young

142 Forsythe Street - 1859 - Henry Gulledge - Saddler and Harnessmaker

What a lovely home greets you as you enter our community. Situated on the corner of Rebecca and Forsythe Streets, this house is right across the street from the Anderson Bridge Parkette which the Horticultural Society maintains.

1855 - John Jay Hibberd - Joiner

A beautiful house with caring owners. A new picket fence just went up in 2008. There must be over 400 pickets! Great Job!

1856 - James L. C. Hingston - Yeoman

c. 1856 - Thomas McMillan - Patternmaker