Notice: Intention to Designate a Property / Ontario Heritage Act

The Council of the Town of Saugeen Shores intends to designate the following property for reasons of cultural heritage value or interest pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter O.18, Part IV: 

160 Leeder Lane, Southampton, further described as PLAN 37 PT LOT 3 TP PT LOT 5; S HIGH, Saugeen Shores (Southampton Town).

The property contains a one-and-one-half-storey Gothic Revival cottage constructed in 1880. The building has design and physical value as a representative example of the Gothic Revival cottage style, retaining key elements such as its L-shaped form, steeply pitched gable roof, central front gable with window, symmetrical façade, and front verandah supported by simple posts.

The property has historical and associative value through its connection to James Fleming, an early Southampton settler, carpenter, and Customs Officer who built the home, and James Augustus Watton, who grew up in the house and later served as Bishop of Moosonee and Archbishop of Metropolitan Ontario. The property also contributes to an understanding of Southampton’s early development, civic history, and cultural heritage.

The property has contextual value as part of Southampton’s historic nineteenth-century streetscape. Located on one of Southampton’s historic lanes, the property is visually and historically linked to nearby heritage properties on Leeder Lane, Grosvenor Street South, and Morton Lane, including 24 Grosvenor Street South and 30 Grosvenor Street South.

The heritage attributes of the property include its siting close to the street, one-and-one-half-storey L-shaped form and massing, steeply pitched gable roof with central front gable, centrally located front entrance and walkway facing Leeder Lane, verandah with awning-style roof supported by simple wood posts, and the original size, placement, and proportions of the façade’s window and door openings.

Any person may notify the Town of Saugeen Shores of their objection in writing, which shall include the reasons for their objection and all relevant facts, on or before 4:30 p.m. September 30, 2026 to be submitted via email at: clerk@saugeenshores.ca or by registered mail or dropped off in person to:

Town of Saugeen Shores
Attn: Clerk
600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820, Port Elgin, Ontario N0H 2C0
Phone: 519-832-2008 ext. 100

If a notice of objection is received, the Clerk will refer the matter to Town of Saugeen Shores Council for reconsideration. Further information regarding the proposed designation is available from the Clerk’s Department.

Dated this 21st day of August, 2026
Kaitlin Bos, Clerk