When Solfela Investments Ltd., the current owner of the Earl Rowe Farm in Newton Robinson, applied for a demolition permit, it prompted quick action by the Bradford West Gwillimbury Community Planning Office and by Town Council.
Archeological Research Associates Ltd. (ARA) was hired to investigate the design and physical value, the historic and associative value, and the contectual value of the property and its famous owner as specified in the Heritage Act. The consultants concluded that out of the nine possible criteria for designation under the Act Earl Rowe Farm meets six. The Act only requires one be met to justify designation.
The property includes a complete example of an agricultural complex, including a Gothic revival house built by well known local builders, the Merrick Brothers, who were responsible for many houses and farm buildings in the area, including Newton Robinson United Church. Multiple drive sheds, silo, and various smaller outbuildings join the U-shaped, uniquely designed triple barns to support the farm’s longtime purpose, the breeding and training of standardbred horses for harness racing.
The Honourable Earl Rowe was associated with the property as owner and resident from 1917 until his death in 
1984. For 40 of those years his political career spanned the municipal, provincial, and federal arenas. At 25 he was the youngest Reeve of West Gwillimbury Township. He was a leader of the Ontario Conservative Party, served both as a Member of the Ontario legislature and a federal Member of Parliament, and was the 20th Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. Guests at his funeral included Lieutenant Governor John Black Aird, Premier William Davis, New Brunswick Premier Richard Hatfield, Solicitor General George Taylor, former Governor General Roland Michener, Hon. Ellen Fairclough, and York-Peel MP Sinclair Stevens.
Along with his other business interests, Earl Rowe was a pioneer of the Canadian harness racing industry, breeding, training, and driving winners throughout his life. He served three terms as President of the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society and was an Honourary Director of the Ontario Harness Horse Association. Along with his son and grandson he founded the Raceway tracks in Windsor and Barrie. Earl Rowe’s many accomplishments were honoured by an Ontario historic plaque which still stands at the 100 acre farm site. The ceremony was organized by the Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury Historical Society, of which the Hon. Earl Rowe was a Founding Director.
What is the current designation status of Earl Rowe Farm? Like the other 100 acre farms around it, the property is zoned Agricultural in the Bradford West Gwillimbury (BWG) Official Plan. In the Town’s Zoning By-law 2010-050, ‘Agricultural’ provides limited opportunity for redevelopment for uses other than those few identified. This does not include housing, commercial, or industrial development.
Based on the evaluation by ARA the Town’s Planning Staff recommended to Council “that the Town proceed with the heritage designation process for 4304-4306 Line 10”. In early March Council directed Staff to give notice of intention to designate the property. As of June 7, 2019 the Town is expecting to receive within a few weeks a heritage assessment report prepared on behalf of the owner. Once this second assessment is submitted Staff will be able to review it against ARA’s report and can then begin to formulate a notice. Staff would like to work with the owner to determine the designation’s attribute description.
Letters of support for designation have been sent to BWG Council by Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury Historical Society, BWG Local History Association, Simcoe County Historical Association and various concerned citizens. In view of the proposed changes to the Heritage Act it is better done sooner than later. This is especially true if the OMB successor, the Ontario Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, is accorded final say in appeals to LPAT by the owners of any local heritage properties that municipalities wish to protect through designation.
Article and resources provided by Janine Harris-Wheatley
Tecumseth & West Gwillimbury Historical Society
Resources:
From the Town Staff report and ARA heritage assessment: In accordance with the Heritage Act, for a property to be eligible for designation it must meet one or more of the nine (9) evaluation criterion that fall in three ‘attribute’ umbrellas including: (1) ‘Design or Physical Value,’ (2) ‘Historical or Associative Value,’ and (3) ‘Contextual Value.’
Highlights from ARA consultants report
DESIGN OR PHYSICAL VALUE
- Representative example of an agricultural complex that includes a good example of a Gothic Revival farmhouse.
- Was built by the Merrick Brothers who were well-known local builders. They built numerous mills, churches and houses and were integral to the development of Newton Robinson.j’
HISTORICAL OR ASSOCIATIVE
- Associated with William Earl Rowe who owned the property from 1917 to 1984.
- Had a provincial political career that spanned four decades and included serving as the 20th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1963–1968.
- His contributions to Ontario are commemorated with an Ontario HeritageTrust Plaque (on the property).
- Was a prominent member of the community in Newton Robinson and the Township of West Gwillimbury.
- Served as the youngest Reeve of the Township of West Gwillimbury in 1919.
- Ran a successful horse breeding and harness racing business. He served as president of the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society twice and was the honourary director of the Ontario Harness Horsemen’s Association.
- Earl and his son Bill Rowe were founders of harness race tracks: the Windsor Raceway and with grandson, the Barrie Raceway.
CONTECTUAL VALUE
- Maintains the agricultural character of the outskirts of Newton Robinson, the property remains on an approximately 100-acre farm and is surrounded to the west, south and north by other 100-acre farms. It maintains the parcel fabric and bucolic nature of the landscape.
- Historically linked to its surroundings through the widespread construction in Newton Robinson initiated and undertaken by the Merrick Brothers.
- Landmark due to the Ontario Heritage Trust plaque located in front of the property.
Based on ARA’s evaluation the property meets six (6) of the nine (9) criterions. Most notable is that this was the home of William Earl Rowe who contributed to the community Newton Robinson, Township of West Gwillimbury and the Province as whole in a number of facets. Based on the evaluation Staff recommend that the Town proceed with the heritage designation process for 4304-4306 Line 10.
For more information on Ear Rowe’s political career see SCHA News and Views article by John Merritt, The life of William Earl Rowe, 1894-1984
BWG Staff Report and Consultant Heritage Assessment as well as communications with Planning Staff.
Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library Archives William Earl Rowe Obituary.
Beeton Record Sentinel and Tottenham Times, July 29 1987 on the occasion of the Ontario Historic Plaque installation.
Bradford Today: Bradford council OKs start of heritage designation for Earl Rowe house. Mar 6, 2019 by: Jenni Dunning
*Record Sentinel Tottenham Times July 29 1987 on occasion of plaque installment
Horses first Canadian to drive a Canadian bred and trained horse Van Riddell in the Hambletonian Kentucky Derby of harness racing.
Won worlds record for a pair of mares driven double at Thornecliffe track in Toronto. Bred and trained horses at Rowlands. Windsor raceway with Bill in 65. Barrie raceway in 73 with his grandson. Served as president of the con standardbred horse society three terms and president of Great Lakes Paper Co Ltd and other business interests
The Honourable William Earl Rowe 1894-1984 Plaque. Location: The County of Simcoe The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury In Newton Robinson, on Line 10 Road .3 km east of Road 27, street number 4306 Coordinates: N 44 07.637 W 79 40.919. Plaque Text: A veteran parliamentarian who subsequently served as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Rowe was born in Hull, Iowa and raised in Simcoe County. He early exhibited an interest in politics and in 1923 was elected to the provincial legislature as the Conservative member for Simcoe South. Two years later Rowe contested and won the federal seat for Dufferin-Simcoe, embarking upon a career in the House of Commons which, with the exception of one interruption during the late 1930’s, spanned almost four decades. For his lengthy and dedicated service, he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario in 1963. Upon leaving public life five years later, Rowe retired here to his farm where he had long operated a successful horse breeding and harness racing business.
Event Date : Thursday, February 09, 1984 Event Type : Death BWGPL ARCHIVES
They came to this small village, located just south of Cookstown, to pay their last respects to a political legend. Gathered in the Newton Robinson United Church, with the rain falling softly outside, they listened as Rev. Henry Dahlin performed the service. It was a final tribute to a man whose political career spanned almost 65 years. William Earl Rowe, former lieutenant governor of Ontario and political veteran died last Thursday at his Newton Robinson home after suffering a heart attack. He was 89.
Born in Iowa, Mr. Rowe grew up in Simcoe County, where his political career began in 1919 when he became reeve of West Gwillimbury Township. He spent 35 years as a Conservative legislator at both the provincial and federal levels before he was named lieutenant governor in 1963. A former leader of the Ontario Conservative Party, Mr. Rowe was also the youngest member in the R. B. Bennett cabinet, where he served as minister without portfolio. In 1958, his daughter Jean Casselman Wadds was elected to parliament, making the Rowes the first father-daughter team in Canada’s history. She now serves on the MacDonald Commission on the economy. In addition to his long and distinguished political career, Mr. Rowe was also actively involved in harness racing throughout his life. Together with his son, Bill, he founded both the Barrie and Windsor Raceway.
Among those attending the funeral service held Monday afternoon at Newton Robinson United Church were Lieutenant Governor John Black Aird, Premier William Davis, New Brunswick Premier Richard Hatfield, Solicitor General George Taylor, former lieutenant governor Roland Michener, and York-Peel MP Sinclair Stevens. Premier Davis described Mr. Rowe as a great Canadian who will be remembered as a man who excelled as parliamentarian Queen’s representative in Ontario as a breeder and racer of standard-bred horses a farmer and most importantly in raising a fine family.”
Mr. Rowe’s wife Treva died five weeks ago after suffering a series of strokes. They are predeceased by a son Lennox. Mr. Rowe leaves a sister Mary Lennox and a daughter Jean Casselman Wadds. In addition he leaves to mourn grandchildren Mrs. Jane Hutchins, Nancy Casselman of Toronto, Earl Rowe of Shanty Bay, Clare Casselman of Toronto, Scott Rowe of Cookstown, Cindy Rowe of London, Patti Rowe of Cookstown, and great-grandchildren Jennifer Hutchins, Katherine and Crystal Rowe. Mr. Rowe was buried at Newton Robinson Cemetery. Honourary pallbearers were Roland Michener, William Davis, Art Evans, Bill Hodgson, Louis Levesque, and Ellen Fairclough. Pallbearers were Earl Rowe, Scott Rowe, Lorne Lennox, Jim MacDonald, Dave Hutchins, and Clare Casselman.”
TWGHS EXEC MINUTES MAY
Letter to BWG Council about Earl Rowe farm. David contacted Janine about news that BWG had received a request from the owner to demolish the house and outbuildings on the farm. Janine contacted BWGLHA through Jan Blommaert who had not heard the news so she investigated with the Town. Council is reportedly not happy about the demolition. Janine had suggested to Jan that at the very least comprehensive photographs be taken of the structures and building details. David drafted a letter and read it at the meeting. The Board supported the letter without modification and David and Janine will sign and mail the letter to BWG Clerk and Council. Discussion ensued about other organizations and individuals being encouraged to write letters to Clerk and Council. [Secretarial Note: BradfordToday.ca reported on March 6, 2019, that “Bradford council OKs start of heritage designation for Earl Rowe house”.
Email: On Jun 4, 2019, at 16:38, Brandon Slopack wrote:
Hi Janine,
The previous email I sent to Cael remains true. The only update is that we anticipate the owner’s representatives to send a heritage assessment report over the next couple weeks. Once this is submitted Staff will review against ARA’s report and begin formulating a notice.
Thank you,
Brandon Slopack, MES Planner, Office of Community Planning Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
To Cael from Brandon Slopack, Planner, BWG Office of Community Planning regarding Earl Rowe Farm designation, quoted below:
On March 5, 2019, I brought forward a Staff Report recommending designation based on evidence outlined by the consultant. Council has directed Staff to give notice of intention to designate the property. Staff wants to work with the owner in determining the designation’s attribute description. Currently we are awaiting the owner to provide their own Heritage Assessment. Once this is received we will be in a position to collaborate and bring forward a notice. Below are key documents for your reference.
March 5, 2019 Agenda
March 5, 2019 Minutes
Staff Report and Consultant Heritage Assessment
