McElroy House

• the house's location on a wooded lot near the banks of Dead Horse Creek at the southeastern entrance of Morden Park
• the expansive grassed lot with mature trees to the east of the house

Key elements that define the unpretentious external heritage character of the dwelling's 1895 portion include:

• the simple 1 1/2-storey box-like structure, composed of a large rectangular volume featuring modest wall dormers adjoining a lower volume to the rear, each with a gable roof
• the substantial, multi-coloured granite fieldstone walls of finely dressed masonry aligning in rough horizontal courses
• the rectangular double-hung windows throughout, with wooden surrounds and sills painted to contrast with the stone, vertical fieldstone lintels and some stained glass

Key elements that define the house's interior layout, finishes and details include:

• the side-hall plan with informally arranged main-floor common rooms and compact second-floor bedrooms
• the large entrance hall, with the front door inset with vibrantly coloured glass, a winding staircase with an elegantly carved balustrade, period light fixtures and elaborate mouldings
• the kitchen with its durable plank board ceiling, accessed off the rear of the house through a hallway with a low and deep barrel-vaulted ceiling
• the modest, yet functional details, including mouldings, metal heating grates, interior doors with notable hardware such as some intricately decorated doorknobs, etc.