Acheson House

The Acheson House, located at 55 Nelson Street East, is on the north side of the street, west of Victoria Street North, in the Town of Goderich. The two storey white marl brick residence was constructed in 1881.

The property was designated by the Town of Goderich in 1990 for its heritage value under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act (By-law 90-9).

Located at 55 Nelson Street East, the property is on the edge of a downtown heritage precinct bounded on the north side by Nelson Street. The house is one of several residences on Nelson Street built by George Acheson.

The Acheson House was built by George Acheson, a local builder responsible for building several homes in Goderich, such as the nearby 35 Nelson Street and a block on “The Square” in Goderich. The Acheson House, built in 1881, is a good representation of the Italianate style. Characteristic of this style is the low hip roof, wide cornice, paired brackets, curved window caps, bay windows and decorative porch woodwork. Also of note are the decorative chimneys, the decorative soffit brackets and fascia boards and twin porches.

Source: Town of Goderich By-law 90-9.

Character defining elements that contribute to the heritage value of the Acheson House include its:

- proximity to “The Square”

- proximity to other buildings built by George Acheson

- two storey construction

- white marl brick exterior

- low hip roof

- wide cornice with paired cornice brackets

- curved window caps

- bay windows

- twin porches with decorative woodwork

- chimneys

- one over one sash windows