Description of Historic Place

Judge Palmer's Residence is a large three-storey, brick, Italianate dwelling, with a central entrance and two three-storey bay windows. It is located on Queen Square North within the Trinity Royal Heritage Preservation Area of Saint John.

Heritage Value

Judge Palmer's Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with its former occupants.

Judge Palmer's Residence is recognized as 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 about 1878, this residence is a good example of Italianate residential architecture form the city’s rebuilding period following the fire. The elements and design of Judge Palmer's Residence demonstrate that the city was going to be rebuilt as well or better than the city that was lost.

Judge Palmer’s Residence is also recognized through its association with Judge Acalus Lockwood Palmer. From 1850 until the time he became a judge in 1879 he was probably the top lawyer in the province of New Brunswick, particularly in criminal cases. He was employed in nearly all cases of importance that came before the courts and was ranked as one of the best lawyers in the history of New Brunswick through the end of the 19th century. For several years, he was president of the Barrister's Society of New Brunswick. Palmer's chambers on Princess Street, containing law offices, were erected for him in 1878. He became a judge of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick in 1879 at about the time he had this home on Queen Square North constructed. He quickly became one of the most respected judges in Canada. He retired from the bench in 1894 and moved to the United States where he died in 1899. His daughter, Fannie, remained in this home until 1908.

Henry A. Powell lived in this residence from 1915 until his death in 1930. Mr. Powell was a leading Saint John lawyer.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe Judge Palmer’s Residence include:
- similar set-back with neighbouring buildings;
- symmetrical three-storey massing;
- brick exterior walls;
- large cornice with brackets and dentils;
- sandstone quoins;
- wide frieze below the roof-line cornice;
- fluted surrounds in the window openings;
- two three-storey bay windows on the front façade;
- entablatures with pediments over the second floor openings in the bay windows;
- segmented arches over the first floor openings in the bay windows;
- segmented arch basement window openings.

The character-defining elements that describe the elaborate central entrance include:
- four fluted Corinthian columns set upon high bases and supporting a flat portico;
- balustrade atop the portico;
- transom window over door;
- sidelight;
- wood paneled door.