171 King Street

The heritage value of 171 King Street lies in its association with various prominent Charlottetown residents and its role in supporting the King Street streetscape.

Built by Benjamin Chappell Junior shortly after 1855, 171 King Street was sold to his tenant, Catherine McNab MacLennan (1804-1890) after his death in 1861. She was the wife of Rev. John MacLennan (1797-1852), the first Pastor of the Belfast Presbyterian Church. Reverend MacLennan worked tirelessly ministering to his parishioners throughout the Island and in his native Scotland. The Reverend returned to Scotland in 1849, for what he thought would be a temporary absence, however he died in 1852 after he contracted diphtheria from a parishioner. Some time after his death, Mrs. MacLennan returned to Prince Edward Island. She would live in 171 King Street until 1886, when she built a magnificent Queen Anne Revival style home at 237 Prince Street.

171 King Street would remain in the MacLennan family, however, as Maria Louise MacLennan Robins, Catherine McNab MacLennan's granddaughter, owned the home for a time. According to the Ballingall's 1914 Prince Edward Island Directory, Milton MacLeod, a grocer, was a resident of 171 King Street. Later residents of the home were the Wilson family.

An attractive home, in an area with a number of heritage homes, 171 King Street helps support the streetscape.

Sources: Heritage Office, City of Charlottetown Planning Department, PO Box 98, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K2

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