104 Carleton Street - Bulkley Division
The Forgan House is designated a Local Historic Place for its architecture, for its association with its past occupants, and because it was originally a prototype built by the St. Andrews Land Company.
The Forgan House is recognized for its architecture as an American Shingle style residence. The Forgan House was constructed in 1888. Originally, the building only had a single tower (or turret) and it was only about half the size. It was built as a ‘model’ summer cottage by the St. Andrews Land Company at Indian Point. This building was to be representative of an “Eastern Commons” development plan submitted by the Land Company. However, the plans never came to fruition. In 1896, the building was moved from Indian Point to its present location at Elizabeth and Carleton Streets, and a second identical tower section was added later.
The Forgan House is also noted for its association with David R. Forgan, a respected banker and notable golfer. David Forgan was born April 16th, 1862 in St. Andrews, Scotland. He had picked up golfing from a young age as his father, Robert, made golf clubs. At 15 years of age Mr. Forgan got his first job as a banker. In 1879, he emigrated to Halifax, following his older brother James B. Forgan and became a ledger keeper at the Bank of Nova Scotia. He and a branch accountant were sent to Winnipeg to open the first Bank of Nova Scotia branch outside of Atlantic Canada, where he met and married his wife, Agnes Kerr Forgan, in1885. The Forgans then moved to Fredericton, where they often visited St. Andrews, staying at the Algonquin Hotel. In 1900, they purchased the Queen Anne Cottage as a summer home.
In 1896, Mr. Forgan moved to Chicago, where he worked for numerous banks, presiding over the Union National Bank, the National City Bank of Chicago, and the National Bank of the Republic in 1925. In 1908, Mr. Forgan headed the Taft club in Chicago, to support the presidential campaign of William Howard Taft. It is said that Mr. Forgan was President Taft’s confidant, and often his guest, while he sat in office.
The Forgans did make additions to the Queen Anne Cottage, having increased the size and added a tennis court and garden. Even though they lived abroad, the Forgans, with their 5 children, spent their summer months in St. Andrews. Mr. Forgan spent a lot of that time playing golf. David Forgan passed away on December 27, 1931 at the age of 69 of a heart attack. After his death, the house went unoccupied for a period of time, until it was bought by Mr. and Mrs. Jack MacFarlane, and later by Mr. and Mrs. George Duncan. It was purchased by Montrealers Mr. and Mrs. John Cowans in 1971. John Cowans had a previous connection with St. Andrews, often spending his summers in town as a boy, as his father, Percy Cowans, owned Kingsbrae.
The character-defining elements include:
This pediment and the details within are integral to the style.
Architectural Style: Queen Anne Revival
Other Names: Park Cottage, Berwick Brae
Source: Willa Walker, “No Hay Fever and a Railway”, 1989, p.133-35; John Leroux "St. Andrews architecture 1604-1966"; CC Archives; Chicago Daily Tribune Dec. 27, 1931 p. 1; Chicago Daily Tribune Dec. 28, 1931 p.22.
The Forgan House is recognized for its architecture as an American Shingle style residence. The Forgan House was constructed in 1888. Originally, the building only had a single tower (or turret) and it was only about half the size. It was built as a ‘model’ summer cottage by the St. Andrews Land Company at Indian Point. This building was to be representative of an “Eastern Commons” development plan submitted by the Land Company. However, the plans never came to fruition. In 1896, the building was moved from Indian Point to its present location at Elizabeth and Carleton Streets, and a second identical tower section was added later.
The Forgan House is also noted for its association with David R. Forgan, a respected banker and notable golfer. David Forgan was born April 16th, 1862 in St. Andrews, Scotland. He had picked up golfing from a young age as his father, Robert, made golf clubs. At 15 years of age Mr. Forgan got his first job as a banker. In 1879, he emigrated to Halifax, following his older brother James B. Forgan and became a ledger keeper at the Bank of Nova Scotia. He and a branch accountant were sent to Winnipeg to open the first Bank of Nova Scotia branch outside of Atlantic Canada, where he met and married his wife, Agnes Kerr Forgan, in1885. The Forgans then moved to Fredericton, where they often visited St. Andrews, staying at the Algonquin Hotel. In 1900, they purchased the Queen Anne Cottage as a summer home.
In 1896, Mr. Forgan moved to Chicago, where he worked for numerous banks, presiding over the Union National Bank, the National City Bank of Chicago, and the National Bank of the Republic in 1925. In 1908, Mr. Forgan headed the Taft club in Chicago, to support the presidential campaign of William Howard Taft. It is said that Mr. Forgan was President Taft’s confidant, and often his guest, while he sat in office.
The Forgans did make additions to the Queen Anne Cottage, having increased the size and added a tennis court and garden. Even though they lived abroad, the Forgans, with their 5 children, spent their summer months in St. Andrews. Mr. Forgan spent a lot of that time playing golf. David Forgan passed away on December 27, 1931 at the age of 69 of a heart attack. After his death, the house went unoccupied for a period of time, until it was bought by Mr. and Mrs. Jack MacFarlane, and later by Mr. and Mrs. George Duncan. It was purchased by Montrealers Mr. and Mrs. John Cowans in 1971. John Cowans had a previous connection with St. Andrews, often spending his summers in town as a boy, as his father, Percy Cowans, owned Kingsbrae.
The character-defining elements include:
- 2 ½ storey turrets with symmetrical window placement and peaked roofs. These turrets form an apron over the 1st and 2nd storey
- running cornice separating the 1st and 2nd storey of principle massing
- three lights between turrets
- chimney with corbelling
- fancy scalloped shingle in tympanum of pediment formed at attic level – 8x8 windows and brackets.
This pediment and the details within are integral to the style.
- bay window with bulkheads
- wood doors
Architectural Style: Queen Anne Revival
Other Names: Park Cottage, Berwick Brae
Source: Willa Walker, “No Hay Fever and a Railway”, 1989, p.133-35; John Leroux "St. Andrews architecture 1604-1966"; CC Archives; Chicago Daily Tribune Dec. 27, 1931 p. 1; Chicago Daily Tribune Dec. 28, 1931 p.22.
