Building
Code |
574.D.17 |
Construction
Date |
ca. 1890 |
Origins |
Watch &
Clock
Shop |
Description
|
The Former
Andrews
Building occupies a central place in a strip of brick-fronted
buildings, most constructed in the 1890’s, that line the south
side of Nelson
Street, west of Seventh Avenue at the heart of Virden’s Heritage
District. |
Heritage
Value
|
The Former
Andrews
Building is valued for its long connection to Andrews
family and their Insurance business which spanned three generations.
The
building is also valued for its connection to two early Watch &
Clock
dealers. G.J. Clarke, had the narrow Romanesque Revival-style
structure
built in 1887, making it one of the three oldest commercial buildings
in
town. George Gable was the second proprietor who went on to build his
own
building around the corner on Seventh Avenue. Watch & Clock shops
were
found in most towns in an era when repairing such items was an
important
service.
|
Character
Defining
Elements |
Key elements
that
define the exterior heritage character of the Former Andrews
Building include:
- the brick construction including the façade with a multi-layer
corbel
table, and its attractive finely-detailed, round-arched window
treatment
- the similarity in window treatment to the building to the west,
(Former
Post Office)
-
Key elements that define the heritage character of the Former Andrews
Building
interior include: - an old staircase etc. |
Site
History |
Formerly on
This Site:
Luc’s Style
Gazette Paper
John Clark
Andrews Agency (Andrews here for 3 generations)
Ted’s
George Gable - Jewelery
George Clarke - Watch & Clocks |
Additional
Information |
Notice the
similarity in window treatment to the building to the west,
(Former
Post Office)
P47 Proprietor G.J. Clarke followed by George Gabel – who later
built the
Terry McLean building.
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contribute your comments, corrections, stories and photos:
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![](images/4.Watch&ClockOldPic-2.gif)
Photo Courtesy Pioneer Home Museum
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