Description of Historic Place

Built in 1889, 34-36 Herrick Street is a yellow brick residence located on a quiet dead end street in the east end of the older residential core of Sault Ste. Marie.

34-36 Herrick has been recognized for its heritage value by the City of Sault Ste. Marie, By-law 95-89.

Heritage Value

In 1889, shortly after the village of Sault Ste. Marie was incorporated as a town (1887) 34-36 Herrick Street was built. This house is an early example of Second Empire style architecture in the city and one of the earliest brick houses built. At that time, Sault Ste. Marie had not yet experienced the rapid industrial growth which would be brought on by the construction of the ship canal and the extension of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The well detailed 34-36 Herrick Street may also have been the first residential building of buff yellow clay brick in the city.

The south elevation of the main house faces the street and was built in a symmetrical fashion. It is heightened by a projecting central frontispiece that continues up into a mansard roof which was originally sheathed with cedar shingles. Around the turn of the century, a demising wall was constructed through the middle of the house and the front porch was rebuilt to accommodate separate front entrances for two semi-detached units.

Sources: Sault Ste. Marie Designation By-law 95-89, 34-36 Herrick Street Designation Report.

Character-Defining Elements

Key character defining elements that reflect 34-36 Herrick's Street's heritage values include:
-the buff yellow brick construction
-its symmetrical composition
-the mansard roof
-the projected central frontispiece
-its large windows