Description of Historic Place

The Ford House is located at 34 Wellington Street South, on the west side of Wellington Street South, south of Lighthouse Street, in the Town of Goderich. The one-and-a-half storey residence constructed of wood ashlar siding was built in circa 1850.

The property was designated, by the Town of Goderich, in 1986, for its heritage value, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, By-law 81 of 1986.

Heritage Value

Located at 34 Wellington Street South, the house forms part of a group of buildings, in Goderich, of a similar age and with the same distinctive wood ashlar siding.

Constructed in circa 1850, the Ford House is a good example of a Greek Revival style cottage. Typical of this style is the centre portico with a pediment gable dormer above. The house bears the distinctive wood ashlar siding, which imitates stone. This type of siding is found on other buildings dating from the same period in Goderich, but rarely used outside of the Goderich area. The hip roof is supported by decorative brackets from the cornice. Another feature is the decorative wood window trim with pediment style hoods.

Source: Town of Goderich, By-law 81 of 1986.

Character-Defining Elements

Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of the Ford House include its:
- one-and-a-half storey construction
- wood ashlar siding
- wood portico
- pediment gable dormer
- roof brackets and frieze
- decorative window trim
- symmetrical placement of the openings
- proximity to other buildings with similar wood ashlar siding
- location in the neighbourhood