Music of
the Eye
Architectural Drawings of Saint John 1822
- 1914
Book honours architects who left their mark on Saint John
Dad was replacing the sill in the side
window of the front door, when the minister dropped in for a visit.
The Reverend eyed the house carefully and asked, “Do you know the name
of the architect who designed this house?”
Dad replied, “I don’t have a clue as to the name of the architect but I
know the builder was a rough carpenter who certainly didn’t have any
training in using a square or level.”
In “Music of the Eye - Architectural Drawings of Canada’s First
City - 1822 to 1914", Gary K. Hughes has given biographical
information on 13 architects who left their mark in Saint John through
buildings.
John Cunningham was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland and was in Saint
John by 1819 when he is credited for the design and construction of the
C. J.
Peters house on Coburg Street - the present Knights of Columbus
building.
He was the successful applicant in the design competition for the Saint
John
County Court House and was responsible for the spires atop the tower of
Stone
Church as well as many other projects.
Alexander Light came to New Brunswick in 1850 as Principal Assistant
Engineer for the St. Andrews and Quebec Railway. In 1858 he married a
daughter of
the prominent Saint John businessman, Honourable Hugh Johnston.
He
performed structural tests on the Suspension Bridge over the Reversing
Falls
and was the engineer for the highway bridges at Hampton Ferry, Trout
Creek
and Musquash. As Chief Engineer for the European & North American
Railway,
he supervised and approved all drawings for the line.
Matthew Stead was born in Ludlow, Shropshire, England in 1809 and came
to New Brunswick with his wife. His first building project was an 1845
design for the provincial Lunatic Asylum. He did the layout of the
Rural Cemetery - “Fernhill” - in 1847 and the design for St. Paul’s
(Valley) Church in
1869. His death occurred in Saint John in 1879.
David E. Dunham, who was born in Hampstead Parish, Queens County in
1839, placed an advertisement in the Daily Telegraph, on October 19,
1875 with
a complete list of his projects to that date with the name of each
client.
His headline for the 1877 advertisement read, “Homes for the People”.
William P. Clarke was a partner with David Dunham for a short time
after the Great Fire of 1877. He prepared drawings and supervised
construction of the mansion for Belgian emigree Count Robert Visart de
Bury.
R. C. John Dunn, son of John Dunn, a Saint John cabinetmaker and lumber
manufacturer, worked in the United States before entering into
partnership with William Morgan Smith. Together they designed
residences on Manawagonish Road and a resort hotel at Lily Lake. One of
his last contracts in 1901, was
a home on the west side for Louis Ready of the brewing family business.
Harry H. Mott, born in 1858 in Central Cambridge, Queens County, was
the son of a farmer. He was the designer in 1883 for the Baptist Church
near
his birthplace. His plans for the annex to the Winter Street School
made
it the first fireproof school in the province. His design in 1889 for
No.
3 Engine House on Union Street was selected.
Frederick Neil Brodie was born in 1871 in Fredericton but moved to
Saint John at an early age. He attended Saint John Grammar School and
continued his education in the United States. His first commission was
converting
the Madras School on Duke Street to domestic use. He designed an exotic
stone “castle” for E. O. Baker in South Bay in 1915. His school
commissions
include St. Peter’s Boys School, St. Patrick’s School and the Saint
John
Vocational School.
Through text, photos and architectural drawings in the 128 page
publication, “Music of the Eye - Architectural Drawings of Canada’s
First City - 1822 to 1914", Gary K. Hughes, presents insight into
buildings and their
builders, allowing the reader to better understand the part played by
economic
climate, political factors, availability of land and building materials
on the architect’s creations on the draughting board.
The 1992 publication can be found in most research institutions in New
Brunswick.
A copy
of “Music
of the Eye - Architectural Drawings of Canada’s First City - 1822 to
1914" by
Gary K. Hughes for sale at http://www.rubycusack.com/Book-Hughes-Gary-Architectural.html
* * *
Query 1118
McIsaac: My great-grandfather James McIsaac was one of the eight
survivors
of the Lord Ashburton ship wreck on Grand Manan Island in 1857, who was
sent
to the Marine Hospital in Saint John, New Brunswick. I am seeking
information
as to the names and injuries of those survivors.
JOAN BYRNES
12 Hannah Dr.
Warwick, RI, 02888, USA.
E-mail Deej1230@webtv.net.
Query 1119
Atherton - Doyle: Francis Atherton and Hugh Doyle were born in
Saint
John, circa 1788 and were married there on 21 Jun 1813. I am seeking
information
on their parents and children.
Mrs. PAMELA HUGIE
639 South 700 West
Brigham City, Utah, 84302, USA.
E-mail ahugie@xmission.com.
