112 years of love inside latest home designated as an historic resource in Edmonton |
May 21, 2025
Like all places we occupy, historic buildings have stories that remain after their owners are gone. Sometimes those stories live with the home’s new owners. That’s true of the Gilpin Residence, which was designated a Municipal Historic Resource by City Council. |
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The Gilpin residence was constructed in 1913 in the Westmount neighbourhood. The original owners, Walter and Fairlie Gilpin, lived in it for only two years, but they clearly enjoyed the house. An Edmonton Journal article from December 11, 1913 describes a “jolly bridge party with Mrs. Gilpin, as hostess” and about 20 ladies in attendance. The description of Mrs. Gilpin’s “black charmeuse satin gown with duchess lace collar and cuffs,” suggests the gathering was a special event.
It is the kind of story that makes the current residents of the house love their property. This history, along with its central location and the tree canopy over the street, are part of the reason they bought the home in 1993 and now want to preserve it for the future.
“It’s still a joy to live in our home over 30 years later,” said James Spurr, one of the residents. “It is difficult to compare the feeling of walking along the sidewalks under the canopy of mature boulevard trees alongside well-maintained traditionally built homes with so much character.”
The Gilpin Residence represents early 20th century construction in Westmount. The California-style bungalow has one-and-a-half storeys, a gable cedar-shingle roof and a large gable dormer with a window on the front elevation.
Working with the City’s Heritage Planning Unit, the owners will receive a grant to make historically accurate improvements to their home.
“The City is always pleased when our heritage grants can help preserve and maintain a historic residence in our community, like the Gilpin Residence,” said Sydney Gross, Principal Heritage Planner. “We’re proud that the Gilpin Residence is the 193rd property to be designated as a Municipal Historic Resource in Edmonton since the heritage program’s beginnings in 1985.”
While continuing to work on heritage designations like the Gilpin Residence, the City’s heritage planning team is also working on a new city-wide Heritage Places Strategy. The strategy will replace the existing Historic Resource Management Plan, reflect a wider lens of Edmonton’s history and address important issues like climate adaptation and how to best preserve heritage in a densifying city.
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