Upper Canada Doorways

C.W. Jefferys' notes about this picture from The Picture Gallery of Canadian History Volume 2

In the better class early houses of Upper Canada the doorway was placed in the middle, and was designed in harmonious proportion with the building and constructed with fine craftsmanship. The door and its frame were of wood, carefully joined, and moulded and panelled with subtle refinement. Before 1840 these wooden door frames were generally set into an elliptical stone arch, which crowned a glass fanlight of a simple and delicate pattern. Many had side panels of glass to give additional light to the entrance hall.

The Prest House was built in 1818. For over eighty years it has been in the possession of the same family, who have kept it in its original condition and in excellent preservation. It is a good specimen of the Queenston limestone house.

"Locust Hall," St. David's, was built in 1820, and has been owned and occupied by the Woodruff family for three generations. They have appreciated the fine architectural qualities of their house, and it has been kept intact and in harmony with its period. The walls are built of bricks (smaller than those of today), laid in Flemish bond fashion, i.e. alternate "headers" and "stretchers," sides and ends; with stone quoins at the corners, and stone lintels and sills for the windows.