The Town of Saugeen Shores has announced its intention to designate a historic cottage as a heritage property in Southampton.
A media release on the Town of Saugeen Shores website shares that the property in question, at 43 Grosvenor Street North in Southampton, has cultural value or interest with respect to the history of the town and area.
On the property is a one-storey cottage constructed in 1895, with significant historical design value. The building has characteristic features of the style, including its one-storey form, hipped roof, rough-cast exterior cladding, symmetrical composition, and original window openings.
Additionally, the property has meaningful local historical value through its direct associations with individuals significant to the history of Southampton. The dwelling was constructed by William McGregor, a local businessman who served as Reeve and Mayor of Southampton; was later owned and occupied by John Donald MacLeod, a commercial fisherman, community leader, and participant in notable marine rescue operations on Lake Huron; and was subsequently the retirement home of James Augustus Watton, Anglican Archbishop of Moosonee and Metropolitan of Ontario.
The property also has ties with the community’s marine heritage through its relationship to the commercial fishing activities of the MacLeod family on the Saugeen River harbour.
Any person may notify the Town of Saugeen Shores of their objection in writing, which shall include the reasons for their objection and all relevant facts, on or before 4:30 p.m. November 8, 2026 to be submitted via email at: [email protected] or by registered mail or dropped off in person to:
Town of Saugeen Shores Attn: Clerk 600 Tomlinson Drive, P.O. Box 820, Port Elgin, Ontario N0H 2C0 Phone: 519-832-2008 ext. 100.
