William J. Canton House
Reflecting both the irregular forms of the late Queen Anne Style and the simplified ornament of post-Victorian domestic architecture, the William J. Canton House is a significant example of turn-of-the-century residential design in the small farming community of Waterville, Washington. The house is one of the best preserved and most elaborate from an early boom period in the city's history, and is closely associated with the career of attorney William Canton, a long-time Waterville lawyer, Douglas County prosecuting attorney and adjutant general of the Washington State National Guard.
William J. Canton was born in Leeds County, Ontario, on November 5, 1861, and raised on a farm in that rural community. After receiving a law degree from a Canadian university in 1879 (the youngest member of his class), he taught school at New Market, Ontario. In 1883| Canton enlisted in the United States Infantry. After serving four years, and attaining the rank of sergeant, Canton was discharged and settled in Nebraska until 1890 when he came West to South Bend, Washington. By June 1891, however, he arrived in Waterville and established a law practice in the young county seat.
Canton was a successful attorney in Waterville and was instrumental in the establishment of local and state militia. In 1892, he organized a National Guard company in Douglas County (which met in the Armory Hall in the Kincaid Building on Chelan Avenue) and, in 1898, he was appointed adjutant general of the state militia by Governor John Rogers. In that capacity, Canton was responsible for preparing Washington units for actions in the SpanishAmerican War. In the fall of 1898, Canton was appointed major of the first company of Washington volunteers sent to the Philippines and he remained at the warfront for nearly a year. In November 1899, he was mustered out and returned to his law practice in Waterville.
In 1904, Canton was elected prosecuting attorney for the county and served several years in that capacity. In 1905, he hired W.C. Calhoun, a local builder, to construct a house for $3,500 on a large parcel west of downtown. The newspaper reported that the building was "the handsomest structure in town." An informal survey of the city indicates that the house is one of only a few turn-of-the-century residences which reflect popular styles and retain integrity. The water tower on the property reputedly supplied water for the west end of the community. In 1912, the property was purchased by rancher Charles Fletcher, whose family owned the property until about 1950.
From the NRHP Registration Form