Description of Historic Place

The Powley House is a Municipal Heritage Property occupying four city lots at 233 Lorne Street East in Swift Current's oldest neighborhood. The property features a prominent three-storey, red brick residence.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of the Powley House lies in its association with its first owner, Hoffman Charles Powley. Powley was a prominent Swift Current citizen and a member of the city's first municipal council. He had the building built in 1912 at an estimated cost of $18,000.

The heritage value of the property also lies in the building's architecture and size. The building is a representative example of the Queen Anne Revival architectural style containing such elements as a verandah, turret, and multi-gabled roofline. The interior finishing perpetuates the elegance of the exterior. The main floor is adorned with oak trim, hardwood floors and separate entrances for the Powley family and servants. The second level is less ornate since it was primarily used as the family's living space. The modestly finished third floor was the servants' quarters. Powley built the residence with an eye towards self-sufficiency; the property at one time featuring its own electrical plant, water and sewage system. It is one of the larger homes in Swift Current located at the top of the hill in Swift Current's oldest neighbourhood.

Source: City of Swift Current Bylaw No. 17-1990.

Character-Defining Elements

The heritage value of the Powley House resides in the following character-defining elements:
-features reflecting the elements of the building that reflect the Queen Anne Revival architectural style, including the broad open verandah, balusters, steep gabled roof and turret;
-features that reflect the building's original use as a prestigious residence, including oak finishing on the main level, lesser grades of lumber on the remaining levels, and brass ornamental fixtures;
-the home's prominent location in Swift Current's oldest neighbourhood looking out over the city's business district.