Formal Recognition Type

Registered Heritage Structure

Heritage Value

Lockyer/Swyers House was designated a Registered Heritage Structure by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1999 because of its aesthetic and historic value. Lockyer/Swyers House has aesthetic value as it is a good example of Second Empire style housing, complete with unique exterior and interior design details. It is a valuable example of a house constructed by master craftsman Ronald Strathie, who is noted as a builder of institutional structures. Lockyer/Swyers House serves as a testament to the creativity and architectural proficiency of the Strathie family. Lockyer/Swyers House has historic value because of its association with the merchant class in outport Newfoundland, specifically Bonavista. The house was built by John Lockyer, who was employed as a manager by the merchant firm of James Ryan. It speaks to the wealth of this class during the early twentieth century and is evidence of the prosperity of the fishery in Bonavista during this time. Source: Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador property file “Bonavista – Lockyer/Swyers House – FPT 111”

Character Defining Elements

All those elements which represent the aesthetic value of Lockyer/Swyers House, including: -mansard roof (including the placement of felt on the flat roof and wooden shingles on the vertical roofs); -two-storey bay windows (including pediments, bargeboard, eave brackets, dentils, clapboard on the bias); -number of storeys; -narrow clapboard; -corner boards; -window style, size, trim and placement; -size, style, trim and placement of exterior doors; -placement and profile of chimneys; -location of porch on left gable end; -dimension, location and orientation of building; and -intricate ten-test detailing on the interior.

Community

Bonavista

Municipality

Town of Bonavista

Civic Address

117 Coster Street

Construction (circa)

19700101 - 19700101

Builder

Ronald Strathie

Style

Rectangular Long Façade