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R. W. Carson Residence

28-30 Bentley Street, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2K, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1982/03/18

This photograph is a contextual view of the building on Bentley Street, 2006; City of Saint John
R. W. Carson Residence - Contextual view
This image provides a view of the two-storey, off-centered bay window, 2006; City of Saint John
R. W. Carson Residence - Bay Window
This image shows the enclosed central entrance with a low pitched roof, four-paned transom window and two-paned sidelights, 2006; City of Saint John
R. W. Carson Residence - Entrance

Other Name(s)

n/a

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1908/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2009/04/17

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

Built in 1908, the R. W. Carson Residence is a wooden two-storey Italianate building with a projecting pedimented entrance and a two-storey bay window. It is located on Bentley Street within the Douglas Avenue Preservation Area of the City of Saint John.

Heritage Value

The R. W. Carson Residence is designated a Local Historic Place for its location, for its architecture and for its association with its former occupants.

The R. W. Carson Residence is recognized for being a part of the Douglas Avenue Preservation Area. Douglas Avenue and the buildings upon it were recognized as a protected historic streetscape because of its fine mixture of working class tenements with the more substantial homes of the middle and wealthy classes, as well as the long-standing family connections where numerous buildings remained in one family for multiple generations. Douglas Avenue has been known for its community atmosphere and the buildings are set-back to allow for spacious lawn frontages which made this a choice location for suburban living in the late 1800's. Douglas Avenue was built in the mid 1850's to connect Main Street with the newly constructed suspension bridge at Reversing Falls. This area was formerly a part of the City of Portland before that city amalgamated with Saint John in 1889. As a result of easier transportation due to motorized vehicles and the presence of the street car, which started operation on Douglas Avenue in 1902, the area around Bentley Street began drawing the working class. Bentley Street branches off Douglas Avenue and was included in this preservation area. The R. W. Carson Residence is an example of Italianate residential architecture within this district.

The R. W. Carson Residence is also recognized for its association with Robert W. Carson, who had this residence built in 1908. He established a profitable business as a liquor dealer on Main Street. This business sold a variety of high quality liquors including wines, English and domestic ales and high grade ports. In addition, he operated a small merchant tailor business along the same street for a time. In 1917, he shifted the focus of his business to real estate. Although still at the same location on Main Street, the firm was now known as “Carson Real Estate Company,” with Carson himself acting as the main agent. Shortly thereafter, he also opened the “Robert W. Carson Auto Showroom” at a neighbouring location. Although he owned this Bentley Street residence for several years, he never lived here himself, choosing instead to rent the house to a number of individuals including William Bennet, a baker employed at the Dwyer Brother’s Bakery. Stephen J. Downing, the bookkeeper for this same bakery, also rented from Carson for an extended period. Carson remained active until the year he passed away in 1925. As late as 1924, he established yet another business known as “Carson Coal Company.” This residence remained in the Carson family until 1960.

Source: Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Character-Defining Elements

The character defining elements that describe the R. W. Carson Residence include:
- two-storey rectangular massing;
- two-storey bay window;
- projecting entrance porch with hipped roof;
- four-paned transom window and two-paned side lights surrounding entry.

Recognition

Jurisdiction

New Brunswick

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (NB)

Recognition Statute

Municipal Heritage Preservation Act, s.5(1)

Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Preservation Act

Recognition Date

1982/03/18

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

n/a

Theme - Category and Type

Developing Economies
Trade and Commerce
Expressing Intellectual and Cultural Life
Architecture and Design

Function - Category and Type

Current

Residence
Multiple Dwelling

Historic

Architect / Designer

n/a

Builder

n/a

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Planning and Development Department - City of Saint John

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

925

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

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