Description of Historic Place

This building, 120 Carleton Street, was built as 1 ½ storey electrical generation facility in 1887. Situated in downtown Fredericton between King and Brunswick Streets, the structure with its gabled end is flanked on either side by modern buildings. This historic place is limited to the structure.

Heritage Value

The significant heritage value of the building is its association with local industry and important technological advancements in providing electric lighting for Fredericton.

This local historic place is a representation of Fredericton’s business history. Originally this building was the plant of the Fredericton Electric Light Company, which was in direct competition with the Fredericton Gas Works to be the first to offer electric lighting to the city. The Fredericton Electric Light Company succeeded, and provided the first commercial and residential electric lighting in Fredericton, using the Waterhouse Arc System. Lights were turned on in several Queen Street businesses on Saturday, October 29th, 1887.

Although windows and window treatments have been altered; this structure's value also lies in its association with the local builder, Moses White, and the noted local mason, William Rossborough. By the combined efforts of these local builders, the structure was constructed in five weeks during the fall of 1887.

Source: City of Fredericton Property Files: 120 Carleton Street.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements associated with 120 Carleton Street include:
- its expression of local technological advancements in electricity;
- simple 1 1/2 storey structure;
- gable roof;
- variety of window sizes;
- rectangular windows on upper level;
- dormer windows on north side.