924 Observatory Street
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
The house at 924 Observatory Street is a large, three-storey gable-roofed house with a prominent turret in the northwest corner. It is located to the rear of its double lot on the southwest corner of Observatory and Park Streets in the Uphill neighbourhood of Nelson, B.C.
HERITAGE VALUE
Constructed in 1900, the house at 924 Observatory Street is valuable for being one example of early settlement in the upper reaches of the Uphill area. It is notable for its siting in response to challenging topography, and for its remaining original materials and exterior detailing.
Somewhat unusually for houses high up the slope in the Uphill neighbourhood, 924 Observatory Street was architecturally designed by Cane and MacDonald for Harold J. Strachan, Plumber. The corner tower with turret, asymmetrical composition, solid massing and decorative elements are typical of the Queen Anne building style.
Situated on two 50 foot lots, the house is an example of the common upper Uphill occurrence of combined properties to create extended gardens. The large size turret and high level of ornamentation is is somewhat atypical for the upper slopes of Uphill, where very often larger properties were improved with small farm cottages and fruit orchards.
The house is located at the highest corner of the property, for ease of access to vehicles that accessed the site off Park Street at the top of the property, and to take advantage of the view of downtown Nelson and Kootenay Lake. The house is important for its remaining original form, detail and materials, including the turret and fine decorative shingling.
From the City of Nelson Heritage Register, Page 62