Gravenhurst considers repealing Severn River Inn heritage designation

From the town of Gravenhurst:

River Severn Inn – 1002 Cowbell Lane

Gravenhurst City Council will consider the repeal of the heritage designation by-law at its regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Significance or Interest – Severn River Inn: In 1858, James H. Jackson, an English settler, pioneered the site and built a log cabin that became a small general store and later became Muskoka’s first post office on January 1, 1861. In 1906, a fire destroyed much of the north end of Severn Bridge, including the buildings on this site. In 1907, the present brick building was erected and has since been used as a store, post office, telephone exchange, hotel and boarding house for tourists and others. Architecturally, the building is a significant example of Muskoka store and inn construction. Its exterior featured a store front with two six-paned windows, with round-arched wooden windows throughout the building. A number of these windows retained special etched glass in the upper portion of the pane. Originally, a pillared verandah existed on six sides of the T-shaped building, with a small private balustraded balcony above the verandah. Inside, the original four-inch vertical wall paneling with V-shaped tongue and groove still exists, as does the six-inch carved pine trim. The living room is distinguished by an arch and carved pine pillars.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION regarding the proposed repeal of the designation by-law is available at the Town of Gravenhurst Municipal Office. Please contact Angela Ghikadis, Planner, during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday) by telephone at 705-687-3412, ext. 2246, or by email at (protected email).

Any person who objects to the proposed repeal of the designation by-law must, within thirty days after the date of publication of this notice, serve on the Clerk of the Town of Gravenhurst a notice of objection setting out the grounds for the objection and all relevant facts.

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