226 Odell Avenue

Situated on the east side of Odell Avenue, this two-and-a-half storey Queen Anne Revival-inspired dwelling was completed in 1896. Located between Charlotte and Brunswick Streets in Fredericton, this house fronts onto Wilmot Park.

The value of this house is associated with the early development of the extreme western end the City of Fredericton in the vicinity of what would become Wilmot Park. Edward Henry Wilmot purchased this property located at the edge of town, which had been used as a public park during the 1860’s, from the Odell estate in 1894. E.H. Wilmot gave the land to the city with the intention that it was once again to be used as a public park. In 1895 the opening of Wilmot Park, named in honour of the benefactor, resulted in the rapid development of this area. Completed in 1896, this two-and-a-half storey wood frame dwelling was one of the first houses to be built on the new street, known originally as Park Street and later as Odell Avenue.

The building boom, generated in response to the opening of the Park, redrew the map of Fredericton. The construction of this house began the redefinition of the city limits through expanding settlement at the western end of town.

Source: City of Fredericton, Historic Places File, “226 Odell Avenue”

The character-defining elements identified for the dwelling at 226 Odell Avenue include:

- manicured lawn;

- two-and-a-half storey asymmetrical wood frame structure;

- flared wall skirt separating the first and second storeys;

- medium pitched roof, with gable end facing the street;

- gable dormer on the south façade ;

- large, rectangular windows with hooded entablatures;

- enclosed side entry.