Description of Historic Place

The Crystal Cottage is located at 35 Chatham Street, on the south side, west of Market Street, in the City of Brantford. The one storey, buff brick cottage was constructed in circa 1876.

The property was designated, by the City of Brantford in 1985, for its cultural heritage value, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, By-law 6-85.

Heritage Value

The Crystal Cottage at 35 Chatham Street is an exceptional example of a late 19th century Brantford vernacular cottage. Typical of this style is the one storey, rectangular house plan and medium gable roof. The Crystal Cottage has its name inscribed on the front facade and is descriptive of its unique glass bottle architectural detail. The Crystal Cottage incorporates intricate bargeboard beneath the gable and eaves. The cottage features original wood window frames and shutters. Red brick accents the windows and doors. The radiating voussoirs, above the windows and doors, enhances the brick and bottle detail.

Source: City of Brantford By-law 6-85.

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of The Crystal Cottage include its:
- one storey, buff brick exterior
- rectangular plan
- medium gable roof
- symmetrical three-bay facade
- inscription, “Crystal Cottage” ornamentally inset in the gable with shells
- single stack chimneys
- wood window frames and louver shutters
- intricate barge board
- segmented heads and radiating voussoirs above the windows and door
- green glass bottle detail
- decorative red brick bands
- double hung sash windows