Description of Historic Place

The Judges' House is on the east side of Essex Street, south of Elgin Avenue West, in the Town of Goderich. The two-and-a-half-storey white brick residence was constructed in 1877.

The property was designated by the Town of Goderich in 1986 for heritage value under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (By-law 81 of 1986).

Heritage Value

The Judges' House is significant for its association with the judges who presided over Huron County from 1867 to 1978. Four Judges resided successively in this residence for just over 100 years: Wilmot Squier, who built the residence in 1877, followed by James Masson, E.N. Lewis (also a Member of Parliament) and Glenn Hays.

The house has a simple façade that derives its elegance from the symmetry of the three bays. The symmetry is further emphasized by the square bay windows at the first storey as well as the porch (later addition) under the central gable. The massing is lightened by the delicacy of the wooden bargeboards and rails over the bay windows. The large setback of the house and its situation on a corner lot in close proximity to the lake, also contributes to the historic character of the Judges' House.

Source: Town of Goderich, By-law 81 of 1986.

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements to the heritage value of the Judges' House include its:
- two-and-a-half storey construction
- white brick exterior
- two brick chimneys
- symmetrical three-bay façade
- decorative bargeboards and rails
- hip roof including three cross gables
- square bay windows, topped by decorative rails
- porch under the centre gable
- keystones and voussoirs
- porthole windows on second storey
- location on a corner lot, set-back from the road
- close proximity to the lake