Town Hall plaque, Smiths Falls

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Ezekiel Shipman , Architect

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Description

The plaque reads: "The Town Hall was built in 1859 in the Classical Revival style to house the municipal offices and council chambers of Smiths Falls including the Police and Fire Departments. In later years there were additions to the building such as a hose-drying tower and a jail. The Town Hall building hosted indoor fairs, dances, community meetings, annual balls and church services. Today, the town hall continues to grow remaining at the heart of the community."

Below, related excerpts from the Smiths Falls Heritage Walking Tour brochure - please see the link at the right of the catalogue record for the complete 10 page brochure.

2. Central School
79 Beckwith Street North
Now part of the municipal complex, this stone structure was built in 1871 as a public school by contractor William Willoughby of Almonte. It was financed with railroad funds. The school was enlarged by a rear addition in 1878. The 2½-storey stone structure is well proportioned and incorporates classical elements such as a symmetrical façade, large gable above a central projection, and prominent cornice with frieze adorned with dentils. The words “Public School” and the date “1871” are still present under the central gable. The rough cut grey-brown limestone of the exterior walls is contrasted by the radiating voussoirs above the windows featuring granite keystones, lug sills, and the heavy quoins. The bell tower is devoid of the bell which was moved to Chimo School in 1973.

3. Town Hall
77 Beckwith Street North
Built in 1859 to house the municipal offices, the Town Hall was designed by architect Ezekiel Shipman of Brockville, and constructed by contractors John Dodds and William and Francis Ballantyne. A number of additions have been made to the structure over the years, but none interfered with the Classical Revival emphasis on balanced proportions of the façade, and straight lines. The gabled central projection includes the words “Town Hall 1859” at the top, and a rectangular transom and sidelights that emphasize the front door. The rough-cut gray-brown limestone of the exterior walls is contrasted by the use of sandstone in the keystones above the windows, lug sills, the string course between the first and second floor, and the quoins that have both capital and base resembling pilasters supporting the building. The Town Hall received a heritage designation in 1977.

4. Hose Drying Tower
Church Street East
An integral part of every fire hall, this hose drying tower was constructed in 1876. Originally the red-brick tower had a mansard roof, with decorative wooden brackets, semi-circular windows and doors topped by arcs of granite, and stood well above all nearby buildings. A large bell that came from Garth & Co. of Montreal in 1894 was used as the fire alarm. It was replaced by a siren in 1950, and the whole tower was lowered by 35 feet in 1972.

Notes

For further information see:

Glenn J. Lockwood. "Smiths Falls: A Social History of the Men and Women in a Rideau Canal Community 1794-1994." Smiths Falls: Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls, 1994.

Date of Original