Formal Recognition Type

Registered Heritage Structure

Heritage Value

Wakeham Sawmill was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2005 because of its aesthetic and cultural value. Wakeham Sawmill has aesthetic value as a vernacular wooden fisheries building exhibiting features of that form, as well as features reflecting its adaptive reuse as a carpentry business with an on-site sawmill. Modifications towards the building’s second function included the addition of four windows on the upper south side, inserting a trap door in the floor for disposing of sawdust, replacing two second storey windows with a double door and erecting steps to the new door. The interior of the building retains its sawmill infrastructure (benches, machinery, hardware), as well as unfinished surfaces including exposed beams, rafters, timber walls and wood floors. The “shored up” post and beam fishing stage foundation was maintained and was well suited to the building’s use as a sawmill. At the time that Wakeham Sawmill was erected in Placentia, Orcan River flowed under the building allowing logs to be floated from neighbouring Southeast to the sawmill. The boundaries of Orcan River have since been altered to protect low-lying Placentia and Wakeham Sawmill now sits on dry land. Wakeham Sawmill has cultural value as a traditional fishing stage adaptively reused. Wakeham Sawmill was originally constructed as a fishing stage in the outport of Petite Forte by John Wakeham in 1912. The building was partially dismantled and transported onboard a schooner across Placentia Bay in 1942. It was reassembled at its current location, where it housed a carpentry business operated by brothers Cyril and Leonard Wakeham. It played a significant role in the local economy as a site for producing wood products for the local market. Wood was cut downstairs, while the second floor was used for making doors, windows, furniture, caskets, boats and other wood products. Wood from the mill was also used in the renovation and construction of other buildings in the area – both commercial and domestic – and by local boatbuilders. Wakeham Sawmill also has cultural value as a familiar landmark and as a reminder of the former course of Orcan River. Furthermore, Wakeham Sawmill is the only building of its type remaining in Placentia proper. Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “Placentia – Wakeham Sawmill – FPT 2481”

Character Defining Elements

All those exterior elements, including materials, that are indicative of the building’s age, vernacular design and historic functions: -wood post and beam foundation; -wood frame construction with narrow horizontal clapboard siding and vertical corner boards; -painted exterior, including trims; -simple door and window trims; -mid-pitch roof with felt paper roofing; -projection and simple trim of eaves; -number of storeys; -type, number, size and placement of windows and wooden doors, including trap doors in the walls and floor; -its siting along the former course of Orcan River, related to its function as a sawmill.

Community

Placentia

Municipality

Town of Placentia

Civic Address

Riverside Drive Extension

Construction (circa)

19700101 - 19700101

Builder

John Wakeham

Style

Rectangular Short Façade