Description of Historic Place

The Ewing Residence is a two-storey, brick, Italianate building with an off-centred entrance. It is located on Queen Street in the Trinity Royal Heritage Preservation Area of Saint John.

Heritage Value

The Ewing Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with its former occupants.

The Ewing Residence is recognized for being one of a collection of residential and commercial Italianate and Second Empire buildings that were built between 1877 and 1881 after two thirds of the City of Saint John were destroyed by fire in 1877. Built in 1881, this residence is an example of brick Italianate residential architecture from the rebuilding period following the fire. The use of brick and the quality of the workmanship in this building represent the will for the city to rebuild, as well or better, after the fire and sent a message that the city would be more resistant to fire in the future.

The Ewing Residence is also recognized for the long term occupancy of the Ewing family. The Ewing family lived in this residence from 1892 to the 1970's. It was built as a double home and one of the original occupants was a Mr. Whiting, a warehouse locker at the Customs House. In 1892, Joseph Ewing shared this residence with Whiting, and by 1900 it was occupied by three Ewing brothers. Joseph Ewing was paymaster in the Customs House and his duties took him all over the province. For nearly 30 years, he served the government faithfully. Born in 1859, Capt. John A. Ewing was engaged in tug-boating for many years, but gave up that work to accept a position with Cowie and Edwards. John became a recognized authority on marine insurance, and his work took him to different sections of the province. Robert Ewing lived his entire life as a bachelor. He was an accountant for the Dominion Savings Bank. Throughout his life he was a strong defender of prohibition, and in 1930 he announced his intention of offering himself as a candidate for the provincial legislature on a "dry" platform. He neglected to file nomination papers before the required time, however, and automatically was barred from the race. His early business life was that of an accountant for the prominent hardware firm of Clark, Kerr, and Thorne. He died at the age of 86 in 1935. His niece, Helena Ewing, remained in this residence until the early 1970's.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the Ewing Residence include:
- rectangular two-storey massing;
- brick exterior walls;
- corbel bands at cornice;
- shaped sandstone lintels;
- sandstone sills;
- rectangular vertical sliding wood windows.

The character defining elements that describe the entrance of the Ewing Residence include:
- sandstone columns;
- peaked sandstone entablature;
- transom window and sidelights;
- pair of three-panel wooden doors.