Description of Historic Place

24 Waterloo Row is a two-storey dwelling with restrained Queen Anne Revival elements that stands on the eastern side of Waterloo Row near the intersection of University Avenue. Built in 1928, this wood frame dwelling overlooks the Saint John River.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of this dwelling is vested in the life and career of local historian Isabel Louise Hill. Retired Brigadier General Frederick William Hill purchased this house about 1950. His daughter, Louise Hill, served as Librarian throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s at the Legislative Library. Miss Hill, who had long recognized the significance of Fredericton’s built heritage, preserved rich residential histories in her impressive 1968 publication “Fredericton, New Brunswick, British North America”. Her explorations of Fredericton’s past were viewed through a genealogical lens, and subsequent publications including her three volume history of the Old Burying Ground maintained this focus. Miss Hill’s industrious career as a local historian revealed the complex contours of early Fredericton society and settlement.

This house, an example of restrained Queen Anne Revival residential architecture, presents a unique appearance with its curved corner tower. Owing to this significant architectural feature, the house was known during Louise Hill’s residency as “the coffee pot”.

Source: City of Fredericton, Historic Places Files, “24 Waterloo Row”

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements identified for the dwelling at 24 Waterloo Row include:
- two-storey wood frame structure;
- manicured lawn;
- dwelling that displays restrained Queen Anne Revival style elements;
- medium-pitched gable roof;
- large rectangular windows on front façade, many featuring bevelled and patterned glass;
- “piano” windows on the northern side of structure;
- circular porch window;
- interior stained glass window, demonstrating a Frank Lloyd Wright influence;
- curved corner tower;
- open front veranda with triangular pediment surmounting entrance.