789-791 St. George Street

The heritage value of 789-791 St. George Street lie in its historical associations with its builder and various residents, and in its Neo-classical architecture.

Historic Value:

The historic value of the 789-791 St. George Street , as recognized in its municipal designation, lies in its occupancy by a number of prominent members of the Annapolis Royal community. Its probable builder, James LeCain, was a member of an early and prominent family of Annapolis Royal blacksmiths and carpenters. John B. Mills (Member of Parliament) and his family occupied the home near the end of the century, and may have added substantially to the building. In the early twentieth century, Loftus Moritmor Fortier, early superintendent of Fort Anne National Historic Site, owned the building briefly, before selling it to his son Thomas H. H. Fortier, who became one of the most prominent Annapolis businessmen of the twentieth century. He developed a number of businesses in the town, but most notably a mill and hardwood plant. Frank J. Barnjum, prominent lumber baron and early conservationist owned then occupied the house. After World War II, the property was divided, creating a subdivision to the rear of the house. It was at about this time that the large building was divided up into apartments.

Architectural Value:

The architectural value of 789-791 St. George Street is to be found in its simplified Neo-classical style. Nothing remains on the exterior of the original, smaller building, obscured by later additions. In this, The Gables is typical of many buildings in town, which have been added to and altered. The symmetry of the original building can still be discerned, in spite of the large addition to the left. In spite of the creation of the subdivision to the rear of the property (Babineau Heights), the setting for the building remains largely intact. The building is a good example of the large, spacious homes being created on Upper St. George Street by the town’s elite in the late nineteenth century. Its sensitive conversion to apartments is reflective of the fate of many of these larger homes in the mid-twentieth century.