Description of Historic Place

Located on the Rideau Canal, the Storehouse, Lock Office stands on an artificial island overlooking the canal and the area around Davis Lockstation. It is a rectangular, one-and-a-half storey dwelling clad in vertical board-and-batten siding with a gable roof. The upper storey is reached by an exterior wooden staircase. Two windows flank the main entrance on the front elevation. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Storehouse, Lock Office is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Storehouse, Lock Office is a very good example of a building associated with the construction and operation of the Rideau Canal, which illustrates the theme of military defence strategy for the Upper and Lower Canada in the second quarter of the 19th century, and the evolution and transformation of the waterway as a federal public work. The Storehouse, Lock Office illustrates the lockstation development in the late-19th century and is associated with the growth of the nearby resort community on Sand Lake.

Architectural Value
Valued for its good aesthetic design, the Storehouse, Lock Office is an early example of a building type associated with the post-Confederation operation of the Rideau Canal by the federal government. The building is clad in the vertical board-and-batten wood siding characteristic of late 19th-century examples as opposed to the later method of clapboarding. Good craftsmanship can be seen in the post and beam construction with pegged connecting beams. This type of construction is atypical, as most examples on the canal have conventional stud framing.

Environmental Value
The Storehouse, Lock Office reinforces the historic character of Davis Lockstation and is a familiar landmark to local residents and visitors.

Sources: James De Jonge, Fifteen Buildings, Southern Area, Rideau Canal, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Reports 89-155, 89-156, 89-157, 89-158,89-159, and 89-160; Storehouse / Lock Office, Davis Lockstation, Rideau Canal, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 89-157.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Storehouse, Lock Office should be respected.

Its good aesthetic, functional design and good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the simple, one-and-a-half storey massing; the gable roof; the exterior walls constructed using board-and-batten wood siding; the position of the windows and doors; the exterior wooden staircase; the dry stone foundation that has been subsequently mortared; the interior configuration.

The manner in which the Storehouse, Lock Office reinforces the historic character of the Davis Lockstation and is a familiar local landmark, as evidenced by: its overall scale, design and materials which harmonize with the landscaped surroundings of the lockstation; its visibility due to its exposed and prominent position adjacent to the lock chamber, which makes it familiar to local residents and visitors.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Storehouse/Lock Office at Davis Lockstation was built in 1874-75 in support of the operation of the Rideau Canal as a transportation system. It was repaired and renovated in 1982. Environment Canada Parks Service is the custodial department. See FHBRO Building Report 89-157.

Reason For Designation

The Davis Storehouse/Lock Office was designated Recognized because of its historical associations, its design and choice of materials, and its environmental qualities.

The storehouse/lock office building type, of which this structure is an early example, is associated with the post-Confederation operation of the Rideau Canal by the federal government. The Davis property has the distinction of serving its original function since its construction. The building illustrates the lockstation development in the late 19th century and is associated with the growth of the nearby resort community. It is also associated with the development of a resort community on Sand Lake in the late 19th century.

The Davis property is the oldest surviving example on the Rideau Canal of storehouse/lock office design, and is unusual in having post and beam construction.

The natural isolated character of the building's environment has been carefully preserved.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of this property is defined by its exterior form and materials, the use of post and beam construction and the historic nature of its environment.

The Storehouse/Lock Office at Davis is a well-preserved example of the late-19th century form: one-and-a-half storeys, with gable-roof and rectangular plan. The upper storey is reached by an exterior wooden staircase typical of the building type at that time.

The structure is clad in the vertical board-and-batten wood siding characteristic of late-19th century examples. Later storehouse/lock office buildings are clapboarded. The post and beam construction with pegged connecting beams employed in this building is atypical, as most examples on the canal have conventional stud framing. The foundation is dry stone that has been subsequently mortared. As the oldest surviving example of its type on the canal and because of its unusual construction, this building should be carefully maintained. In particular, its basic external form should not be modified and a regular program of inspection and maintenance of materials should be established.

The environment of the Davis Lockstation has been protected from modern intrusions. The storehouse, located near the lock chamber, is a noticeable feature in the landscape. The isolated historic character of the setting should be maintained.