Harrison-Brown House Receives Heritage Designation

HALTON HILLS, ON – In the community of Stewarttown along Stewarttown Road sits a distinctive brick dwelling known as the Harrison-Brown House. As of June 2023, this property has received formal recognition of its cultural heritage value with heritage designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Along with ensuring this heritage resource is conserved for future generations, designation entitles the property owner to the benefits and programs that the Town has available to support owners of cultural heritage resources. This includes the Heritage Property Grant Program and the Heritage Property Tax Refund Program, both of which provide financial assistance for the Town’s designated properties.

“I am delighted that another beautiful and historic property has been preserved,” said Mayor Lawlor. “Homes such as the Harrison-Brown House add to the cultural beauty of our community and play an important role in recognizing our history.”

The Harrison-Brown house is named for two prominent members of the community that once owned the property: John Harrison and Gordon Oliver Brown.

The Harrison family originally settled on Lot 17, Concession 7 in 1819 which included the lands containing what would become number 4 Stewarttown Road. It was during John Harrison’s ownership of the property that the house currently on the property was constructed (circa 1858). According to the 1861 Census, Harrison was a farmer who was involved in the community and who served as a Trustee of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church.

In 1918, the property was owned by Gordon Oliver Brown. Brown was a Captain of the 20^th Regiment, with former military service with the 4^th Battalion. He was actively involved in the local community, including a position as manager of the Georgetown Baseball Team in the Halton-Peel Baseball League in 1920. Brown was also a member of Halton County Council and, at various points in time, served as the Deputy Reeve of Esquesing, and Sherriff for Halton. Brown also was on active duty during the Second World War, identified as Major G.O. Brown with the Veteran Guards of Canada.

The house itself is over 165 years old and features a unique red and buff dichromatic brick pattern is believed to have been constructed of hand-pressed bricks, made locally in Stewarttown. The property’s current owners are proud of their property; its condition is a testament to their years of stewardship, care, and maintenance.

Designation of the Harrison-Brown House ensures that future changes to the house and property are carefully considered to ensure the significant cultural heritage value is conserved, however, does not prevent future changes, additions, or upgrades to the property.

To learn more about the benefits of heritage designation, as well as the Town’s financial incentive programs for designated heritage properties, contact Manager of Heritage Planning Laura Loney at lloney@haltonhills.ca.

About the Town of Halton Hills

The Town of Halton Hills, with a population of approximately 60,000, consists of two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements. Halton Hills has long been recognized for its natural beauty, active agricultural community, high quality of life and proximity to major centres, including Brampton, Mississauga, and Toronto.  The Town is ranked as one of the top small communities in Canada by a national magazine.

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