Description of Historic Place

The William Dolan House is located at 84 St. Patrick's Drive in the City of Miramich. This two and a half storey Queen Anne home built 1908-1910 is situated on Victorian landscaped grounds.

Heritage Value

William Dolan House is designated a Local Historic Place for its expression of the grandeur of lifestyle of a lumber company manager during the heyday of the river log drives.

The two and a half storey river view home with a three storey tower was three years in construction and completed in 1910. 'Big Bill', as he was known, was manager of Lynch's sawmill in nearby Chatham Head and two of his four sons became doctors and one practiced in the small community. Another son, Clarence, lived in the family home and was the postmaster for Nelson-Miramichi.

The home was made into apartments in later years and then became vacant. A subsequent owner who was a carpenter by trade restored the home's interior and exterior to its original integrity during the 1990's. The grounds, landscaped in Victorian style with flower beds, picket fence and shaded mature hardwoods, are well-maintained.

Source: City of Miramichi, Heritage Office Site File #04-21.

Character-Defining Elements

Character-defining elements describing the William Dolan House’s exterior include:
- two and a half storey Victorian home with ell in rear and a Queen Anne tower on the front southwest corner;
- foundation of boasted sandstone with mortared retaining walls to dug-out cellar access on south wall;
- clad in replicated prefabricated clapboards with corner boards and brackets;
- front elevation windows trimmed out with wide lintels and brackets;
- two storey veranda extending from recessed front entrance and wraps around the corner tower;
- veranda posts, rails and gingerbread made of white pine.

Character-defining elements describing the grounds include:
- mature hardwood trees;
- Victorian flower beds;
- picket fence.