This Saskatoon street is home to 'wonderful' historic houses
The 500 block of 11th Street East near Broadway Avenue is known as a hidden historic gem in the city.
“Because it evolved over time, it has representation from almost every building era,” researcher Dianne Wilson told CTV News.
That is unique in a city that doesn’t always value old in favour of new, according to Wilson.
“In the older neighbourhoods there has been so much recent demolition and infill,” she said.
No new buildings have been constructed on the block since 1950.
The styles include a 1911 brick house with a truncated hipped roof, which once had an exposed porch that was closed in because of cold weather for more than half the year and mosquitos in the summer.
Then there’s a 1920s American Tudor style with the exposed rafter tails and bell eaves and the newest house on the block which is a 1949 flat roofed international style Art Moderne home.
But it’s the oldest home on the block which is the biggest “little secret” if you ask Peggy Sarjeant with the Saskatoon Historical Society.
It’s an ornate pink craftsman home built in 1903 that is her favourite. She would like to see it designated as a municipal heritage property, adding to only two others on the street.
Saskatoon buildings should be celebrated for their uniqueness, she said.
Brick buildings here for example are considered more elaborate and prestigious which is why most homes were made of wood which was easy to get in a remote area in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
“And to me that’s a wonderful thing. I came from a country where most things were made with brick or stone to me a wooden house is very strange,” said Sarjeant, who is from England.
That reality makes deterioration more likely which is another reason she would like to see more restoration done to older homes so they can be preserved for years to come.
The historic street is even complete with an apartment building built in 1912. There is a large unique garage in the alley which once housed tenant vehicles and it’s from that rear vantage point that you can see a rare spiral fire escape which is still intact and operational today.
It’s also unusual compared to other apartment blocks because of the two elaborate suites in the front.
“Each are essentially a three-bedroom two-storey house. It’s got a parlour, a dining room and a kitchen,” Wilson says. One of those is still functioning as a two-storey while the other was renovated into two separate suites.
Sarjeant suggests visiting the public library local history room for more information.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.