Description of Historic Place

The Customs Immigration Building in Trout River is a small, attractive one-and-a-half storey, Tudor Revival structure. It has a prominent gabled roof with dormers and bell cast eaves supported on heavy brackets. Stucco walls contrast with dark, decorative half timbering. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Customs Immigration Building is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values:

Historical value
The Customs Immigration Building is associated with the increasing international, cross-border, motor tourist traffic in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

Architectural value
The Customs Immigration Building is valued for its very good aesthetics. Inspired by late medieval architecture, the structure features imitation half-timbering, prominent gables, leaded glass windows, and accents of brick, all combined in a picturesque manner. The structure exhibits good functional design. The present condition of the building attests to the very good quality of the craftsmanship and materials used.

Environmental value
The Customs Immigration Building reinforces the character of its cross-border setting at Trout River. It is familiar to customs and immigration officials, visitors, tourists and inhabitants of Trout River.

Sources:
Kate MacFarlane, Customs Immigration Building, Route No.138 Trout River, Quebec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 89-128; Customs and Immigration Building, Route No.138 Trout River, Quebec, Heritage Character Statement 89-128.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Customs Immigration Building should be respected:

Its Tudor Revival style, functional design and very good craftsmanship and materials, for example:
-the ‘T’-shaped massing of the structure;
-the hipped roof, half-timbered gables and chimney;
-the peeled log, saddle notched wall construction, the stone-faced foundation and extensive stone detailing as on the entrance porch;
-the arrangement of window and door openings;
-the finished log interior.

The manner in which the Customs Immigration Building reinforces the international cross-border character, as evidenced by:
-its distinctive Tudor-Revival aesthetic, materials, proportions and massing, which harmonize with the natural setting of the border and with Route No.138;
-its distinctive design and location that is familiar to customs and immigration officials, visitors, tourists and inhabitants of Trout River.