FORTNER HOUSE MAY RATE AS HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT

By Guardian Writer

TIM BYNG

Date Unknown

Ontario Heritage Act-8 November 1986

One of Welland’s most historic buildings has been approved by Welland city council for heritage designation.

The Fortner House, now known as Rinderlin’s Dining Rooms, at 24 Burgar St., has been recommended for heritage designation by the city’s Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC).

Betty Ann DiMartle, LACAC chairman, told city council last week the property was considered for designation through research carried out in the summer of 1984 with the assistance of students employed under a Canada Summer Works grant.

The research indicates that the property and structure is deemed to have sufficient architectural and historical significance to the city to be designated as a heritage property.

City council approved the processing of the structure for heritage designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.

DiMartle outlined the history of the structure to city council.

PURCHASED 1835

In 1835 the lands, which are adjacent to what is now the corner of East Main and Burgar Streets, was purchased by Thomas Burgar, the first postmaster for the Village of Welland.

Burgar Street, in all likelihood, was named after the Burgar family.

Burgar had a plan registered in 1855, dividing a portion of his holdings for sub-division purposes.

The lots were sold to George H. Burgar, the son of Thomas Burgar, in 1859. Based on available records, it is believed the house was erected on this property in 1859.

George Burgar was a carpenter by trade and was very active in local politics. He was an alderman for 19 years between 1871 and 1912. As well, he was mayor of the Town of Welland and in 1893 and 1894. In 1874, he succeeded his father as postmaster.

In 1868, Burgar sold the house and property to Jonathan S. Chipman. In the same year, Dr. W.E. Burgar, son of George R.E. Burgar, began his medical practice out of the house.

Several land transactions took place over the next several years. In 1875, John McDonald and others, sold the property to Mary L Burgar, the wife of Dr. W.E. Burgar.

During that period or ownership, in 1884, a large addition was made to the original house.

In 1888, a prominent citizen, Dr. Sinclair H. Glasgow, married Nancy Fortner, who had two daughters, by a previous marriage, Gertrude Maude and Theo. The following year, Nancy C. Glasgow purchased the property.

Dr. Glasgow was an alderman for the Town of Welland in 1891 and mayor in 1895 and 1896, and was the medical officer of health for Crowland.

In 1922, the property, which was to become known as the Fortner house, came under the ownership of the two Fortner sisters. The last sister, Gertrude Maude, died in 1970 and the original furnishings were auctioned off and the property put up for sale.** The last sister to pass was Theo Graham Fortner: 1881-1970. Gertrude Maude: 1879-1968.

RINDERLINS

During the next decade, there were several owners, and uses made of the property. In 1980, Emil Rinderlin purchased the property, renovated the house, and in 1981, opened up Rinderlin’s Dining Rooms.

“Mr. Rinderlin has undertaken extensive renovations to ensure that as much of the original structure as possible has been maintained,” the report said.

The three storey frame structure is an excellent example of the Queen Anne Revival Style probably the result of the major addition constructed in 1884.

This style was a result of a design period which “revolted at the rigid rules of classical architecture,” according to the LACAC. Report. The house is characteristic of the Queen Anne Revival Style by its “asymmetrical composition and whimsical detail which is evident in its turret, window gables, dormers, porches and balconies.”

This period also exploited fine materials in a “creative off-beat manner.” This is obvious in the original finishes of fine wood, unusual mouldings, panels and a handsome stairway.

Other significant adornments include a spindle tracery offset over the fireplace, a curved glass window and mirror at the front entrance, which at one time allowed a clear southern view down Burgar Street. The unusual half circle motif of the stair balustrades, which appear to be a fine cherry or mahogany, “would be typical of this period,” the report stated.