Municipal Heritage Preservation Act

Bonnell Dental Infirmary

Saint John, New Brunswick

Also known as Dr. Sherwood and Stewart Skinner Office, Bureau de Drs Sherwood et Stewart Skinner, Dr. Harry Spangler Office

This photograph is a contextual view of the building on Germain Street, 2005.

This photograph is a contextual view of the building on Germain Street, 2005.

Photo: Cityy of Saint John

Built
1888
Recognized
1982
By
Local government

The register’s text, word for word

Description

Bonnell Dental Infirmary is a 3 storey, brick, Second Empire building with large pedimented, Roman arched, gabled dormers against the mansard roof. It is located on Germain Street within the Trinity Royal Preservation Area of the City of Saint John.

Heritage value

Bonnell Dental Infirmary is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture and for its association with physicians and dentists.

Many of the buildings in the residential district of Germain street were constructed in the latter part of the 19th Century or early 20th Century as all the older buildings were destroyed in the Great Saint John Fire of 1877 fire. Built in 1888, Bonnell Dental Infirmary is a good example of Second Empire architecture. Among its many Second Empire features are the rectangular 3-storey rectangular brick massing, the dormers and the mansard roof.

The heritage value of Bonnell Dental Infirmary is also recognized through its long association with various physicians and dentists of the Saint John Area. It first became a doctor's office under the direction of Doctors Stewart and Sherwood Skinner from 1903 to 1911. In 1912, Dr. Harry Spangler, general physician, had his medical clinic until 1938. Dr. Percival Bonnell practiced and operated the Bonnell Dental Infirmary on Germain Street from 1939 to 1970. Many other local dentists practiced at this infirmary as well. Dentists including Gordon Knight, Frederick Scott, Selby Wetmore and several others operated alongside Bonnell, making this site an historic landmark of local medical practice and skill.

SourcePlanning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character‑defining elements

The character-defining elements that describe Bonnell Dental Infirmary include:

  • rectangular 3-storey brick massing;
  • window placement and proportions;
  • mansard roof;
  • large pediment Roman arch;
  • gabled dormers with delicate muntins;
  • cornice ornamented with brick dentils;
  • two storey bay windows, in a similar style to the neighboring building;
  • vertical sliding wood windows with sandstone lintels and sills;
  • central Roman arched bay window along the first storey with ornately designed muntins;
  • single storey, Roman arch windows;
  • elaborate, paired wood doors with glass panels;
  • Roman arched, three paned transom window above entry;
  • sandstone steps descending from entry;
  • stone foundation.

End of the register’s text

Location

145 Germain Street, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L, Canada

45.27135° N, 66.06021° W

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Nearby

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From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.