Description of Historic Place

Located on the Rideau Canal, the Defensible Lockmaster’s House stands on an artificial island overlooking the canal and the area around Davis Lock Station. It is an austere, single storey dwelling built of rubble cut stone evenly coursed with a hipped-roof that has a centre brick chimney. The elevations feature loopholes and sash windows. The main entrance is sheltered by a gable-roofed, stone porch. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Defensible Lockmaster’s House is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value:
The Defensible Lockmaster’s House is a very good example of a building associated with the construction and operation of the Rideau Canal. The house illustrates the theme of military defence strategy for the United Canada’s in the second quarter of the 19th century, and the evolution and transformation of the waterway as a federal public work. It was built in 1842 as a defensible residence for the lockmaster.

Architectural Value
The Defensible Lockmaster’s House is valued for its very good aesthetic design. With its simple square massing, the building is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a dual-purpose military / residential structure, which testifies to its very good functional design. Features associated with the military era include its classical hip roof, symmetry, masonry construction and loopholes while residential features include replacement sash windows. Its form and materials indicate its evolution from a military role towards a predominantly residential use. Very good craftsmanship can be seen in the stonework.

Environmental Value
The Defensible Lockmaster’s House reinforces the present character of Davis Lock Station and is a familiar landmark to residents and to visitors. Near the Rideau canal, the Defensible Lockmaster’s House retained its historic character with the site despite the growth of once cleared trees and shrubs.

Sources: Joanna H. Doherty, Defensive Lockmaster’s Houses, Davis and Upper Brewer Lock Stations, Rideau Canal, Ontario, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, Building Reports 88-080 and 88-081; Lockmaster’s House, Davis Lock Station, Rideau Canal, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement, 88-080.

Character-Defining Elements

The following character-defining elements of the Defensible Lockmaster’s House should be respected.

Its very good aesthetic and very good functional design and very good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the simple, one-storey massing; the hip roof clad in metal shingles, and the central chimney; the exterior walls constructed of rubble cut stone evenly coursed masonry; the loopholes, the doors and the limited number of windows; the interior configuration.

The manner in which the Defensible Lockmaster’s House reinforces the present character of the Davis Lock Station and is a familiar local landmark, as evidenced by: its overall scale, design and materials, which harmonize with the landscaped surroundings of the lock station; 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 Lockmaster's house at Davis Lockstation was built in 1842 by the British Ordnance Department as a defensible residence for the lockmaster. An addition was constructed in 1890 and another in 1899. Environment Canada, Canadian Parks Service is the custodial department. See FHBRO Building Report 88-80.


Reason for Designation

The building was designated Recognized because of its important historical associations, its architectural and functional design, the quality of its materials and craftsmanship, and for its environmental qualities.

Davis Lockmaster's house has strong associations with the Rideau defensive system and with the early history of the Davis Lockstation.

The building is an exceptionally well preserved example of its type, retaining many of the characteristics of its original design and functions, both military and residential. The modifications and additions over time, evident in both its design and materials of construction, are clear indicators of its evolution away from its military role toward the later predominantly residential use.

Despite changes in the vegetation, the building continues to dominate the site from its position on high ground.


Character Defining Elements

The Lockmaster's house is a single storey, hipped-roof dwelling with frame additions. The exterior of the building is marked by diversity of form and material - expressive of its function and evolution.

The heritage value of the building resides in those features which characterize it as a dual purpose structure, military and residential, and which illustrate its evolution over time.

Although the building's military efficiency has been compromised somewhat by the construction of the additions, installation of basement windows, re-orientation from south to west, and removal of one porch, these would appear to have been appropriate patterns of evolution - respectful of original design while adapting to changing requirements and patterns of use.

Those features which recall the building's military function include its classical hipped roof, symmetrical elevation and central gabled porch, masonry construction, and loopholes at each elevation. Its more residential aspects includes replacement sash windows and several cove-sided frame additions, one shed roofed, the other gabled.

The priority for this property is to maintain form, design, and materials as they have evolved over time. Any alterations should enhance the special qualities of the property. If not already in place, a program of regular inspection and maintenance would be highly appropriate.

The house has retained its visual relationship with the lockstation as the largest and most prominent building on the property. This characteristic should be retained.