Description of Historic Place

The R. H. Neelands House is a one-and-one-half-storey bungalow located mid-block on the north side of 2 Avenue NE (formerly Harris Street) in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. It can be identified by its front verandah under a gabled area facing the street.

Heritage Value

The R. H. Neelands House, likely built in 1911, is valued primarily for its cultural and aesthetic significance, and particularly for its contribution to the cluster of fine homes from the early 20th century on Harris Street (now 2 Avenue NE) that are still standing.

The house is a good example of an early 1900s-era bungalow. It contributes to the locally important grouping of houses on Harris Street (also known as "Snob Hill" and "Mortgage Hill") that together make the street a highly-valued heritage section of the city.

The house is culturally important for its idiosyncracy, seen in the unusual front porch and front door placement, with almost no windows facing the street. Such unusual design often indicates an owner/builder tailoring the house to their own particular needs. It helps to convey the story of Neelands being one of the earliest - if not the earliest - carpenters in the area, and developing several other properties on Harris Street besides this house for himself and family.

The R. H. Neelands House is aesthetically important for its mostly original exterior materials, form and detailing.

Source: City of Salmon Arm, Development Services Department

Character-Defining Elements

Key elements that define the heritage character of R. H. Neelands House include its:

Site:
- situation overlooking the town centre and lake
- generous yards around the house

House:
- cross-gable roof form
- deep verandah on south (front) façade under second floor plate
- original window door and window opening locations
- remaining original exterior doors and windows
- original shingle cladding on second floor gable ends
- original beveled siding on main floor wall areas
- visible roof purlins at eaves; exposed timber within the house
- tongue-and-groove eave soffit material supported by purlins
- remaining original wood trim, including water tables, facia, bargeboards, and mouldings