Description of Historic Place

The Henry Horton Cottage is situated on the south side of East Street, east of Cambria Road South, in the Town of Goderich. The one-and-a-half-storey cottage was constructed in circa 1860.

The property was designated, by the town of Goderich in 1978, for its heritage value, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, By-law 7 (1978).

Heritage Value

The Henry Horton Cottage is associated with the Horton Family. It was home to Henry Horton, brother of Horace Horton, who was one of Goderich's founding fathers. Henry Horton was also a prominent local, known for having travelled to California in search of gold and then to Australia. He owned a local Goderich grocery store.

Constructed in circa 1860, the Henry Horton Cottage is characterized by such details as the projecting frontispiece, the decorative bargeboards and brick chimneys and on the east and west elevation, half gothic windows in the gable ends. The cottage is also an exceptionally well-preserved example of parged masonry construction. This was not an uncommon practice in Goderich, but extant examples are scarce.

Source: Town of Goderich, By-law 7 (1978).

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of the Henry Horton Cottage include its:
- projecting frontispiece
- front gable
- parged masonry construction
- decorative bargeboards
- gothic windows on façade
- two brick chimneys
- symmetrical three-bay façade