Address:
75 Reynolds Street - The James and Catherine O'Connor House
Summary:
James O'Connor, or James Connor, was a carpenter and a joiner from Ireland.
Property Details:
James Connor (also known as James O'Connor) was born in Wexford in the south of Ireland in 1814 and arrived in Oakville before the middle of the century. He and his wife Catherine had seven children. Two of his sons, James Jr. and William followed their father into the carpentry trade.
In 1852 James was renting a house at the corner of George and Church streets and during that year purchased the lot at the corner of Reynolds and Robinson Streets upon which he built this house.
James Connor was both a carpenter and a joiner. He built many houses in Oakville and created a curved altar rail for St. Andrews Church, which has not survived. A newspaper advertisement in 1873 announced a "New Blind, Sash & Door Factory (Under Hagaman's Carriage Factory). Mouldings of every description on hand and to order. Connor & Co., Proprietors."
The house is a simple clapboard cottage, but with many interesting woodwork, trim and design features that show the skill of the original owner. Despite the large size of the Connor family, the upper room of the house was a single, large room used as a workshop.
James Connor died in 1894, still recorded as a carpenter at 80 years old. After his death the house was occupied by his daughters, Catherine and Maria, and later by Maria's daughter Mary Markey, her husband and children. The house stayed in the family for many years and was purchased and restored in the 1960s.
The house is designated a heritage property by the Town of Oakville.
Much of this history comes from "Old Oakville" by David and Suzanne Peacock, which is available for purchase at the Historical Society.
In 1852 James was renting a house at the corner of George and Church streets and during that year purchased the lot at the corner of Reynolds and Robinson Streets upon which he built this house.
James Connor was both a carpenter and a joiner. He built many houses in Oakville and created a curved altar rail for St. Andrews Church, which has not survived. A newspaper advertisement in 1873 announced a "New Blind, Sash & Door Factory (Under Hagaman's Carriage Factory). Mouldings of every description on hand and to order. Connor & Co., Proprietors."
The house is a simple clapboard cottage, but with many interesting woodwork, trim and design features that show the skill of the original owner. Despite the large size of the Connor family, the upper room of the house was a single, large room used as a workshop.
James Connor died in 1894, still recorded as a carpenter at 80 years old. After his death the house was occupied by his daughters, Catherine and Maria, and later by Maria's daughter Mary Markey, her husband and children. The house stayed in the family for many years and was purchased and restored in the 1960s.
The house is designated a heritage property by the Town of Oakville.
Much of this history comes from "Old Oakville" by David and Suzanne Peacock, which is available for purchase at the Historical Society.
Click to Enlarge
75 Reynolds Street
75 Reynolds Street plaque
75 Reynolds Street - 1989
Heritage Designation from the Town of Oakville
75 Reynolds Street - 1991
75 Reynolds Street - 1964
75 Reynolds Street Circa 1957. Note no addition on the rear of the house
75 Reynolds Street front door 1957
75 Reynolds Street circa late 1940s or early 1950s
75 Reynolds Street
75 Reynolds Street plaque
75 Reynolds Street - 1989
Heritage Designation from the Town of Oakville
75 Reynolds Street - 1991
75 Reynolds Street - 1964
75 Reynolds Street Circa 1957. Note no addition on the rear of the house
75 Reynolds Street front door 1957
75 Reynolds Street circa late 1940s or early 1950s