A Master Plan. A Divided Community.
One of the unique aspects of the Saint Andrews town plat is the historic divisions (or districts) used to plan out the original town and allocate properties to early settlers. As far back as 1784, the town was divided into three distinct divisions, which we use throughout the site and town to map the many historic buildings, spaces, and events of Saint Andrews. It is this master plan which shaped the current town's unique design and one of the many reasons why it is a National Historic District of Canada.
A Story of Divisions
In early 1784, it is believed that Charles Morris Jr., the Deputy Surveyor, laid out the Town of Saint Andrews in what we now see as its regular and uniform plan. This was done with six parallel streets running lengthwise and thirteen streets cutting them at right angles. This created sixty blocks of perfectly square form lying between Water Street on the front, if navigating from the waterfront, and Prince of Wales street in the rear. The left and right edges of this uniform plan were between Harriet Street on the north west and Patrick street on the south and east. It also included twelve water blocks lying below Water Street, which were more irregular on the south west side due to numerous curves and indentations of the Saint Andrews harbour, the common boundary line on that side. The original plan bears the same name Charles Morris and the date given is 1784.
Bulkleys Division
By this plan, the Town was divided into three divisions, where each block is lettered and divided in eight lots. The first division was named “Bulkleys” and extended from Harriet street to the north westerly side of Edward Street. This division was named after Hon. Richard Bulkley, who accompanied Governor Cornwallis to Nova Scotia in 1749, became secretary to the Province about 1759 and continued in office under the thirteen successive Governors or until 1793, when he retired in favor of his son.
Parr's Division
On the death of Governor Parr, in 1791, he was for a short time Administrator of the government of Nova Scotia. He died December 7th, 1800 at the age of 83 years. At the time of his death he was judge of the admiralty, Grand Master of the Free Masons and Brigadier General of Militia—a rank never since conferred on any militia officer in Nova Scotia.
The second division was named “Parr’s Division” after the Honorable John Parr, Captain General, Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over His Majesty’s province of Nova Scotia at that time and down to 1791. The division embraced that portion of the Town from the south easterly side line of Edward street to the north westerly side line of Princess Royal street.
Morris' Division
The third division extended from Princess Royal street to Patrick street and was named “Morris’ division” for the Hon. Charles Morris father of the Charles Morris who laid out the town. The Hon. Charles Morris was Surveyor General in Nova Scotia in 1794. He was at one time a representative of the old county of Sunbury in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. His father was also named Charles Morris and was the first Surveyor General of Nova Scotia.
According to plans so prepared by Mr. Morris, and following his descriptions by Divisions, Blocks and lots the town of St. Andrews were grant to William Gammon and 429 others, the 15th day of August 1784. Over the next few centuries, the same lines would remain dividing each division yet their back borders extended up and over the hills far past that of the original Prince of Wales line mapped by Morris in 1784. Today, the coastal lines of the lands commonly referred to as O'Neill Farm, Kingsbrae Gardens, Katy's Cove, as well
Source: St. Andrews Civic Trust, John Leroux "St. Andrews Architecture 1604-1966"; Ronald Rees "Historic St. Andrews"
Bulkleys Division
By this plan, the Town was divided into three divisions, where each block is lettered and divided in eight lots. The first division was named “Bulkleys” and extended from Harriet street to the north westerly side of Edward Street. This division was named after Hon. Richard Bulkley, who accompanied Governor Cornwallis to Nova Scotia in 1749, became secretary to the Province about 1759 and continued in office under the thirteen successive Governors or until 1793, when he retired in favor of his son.
Parr's Division
On the death of Governor Parr, in 1791, he was for a short time Administrator of the government of Nova Scotia. He died December 7th, 1800 at the age of 83 years. At the time of his death he was judge of the admiralty, Grand Master of the Free Masons and Brigadier General of Militia—a rank never since conferred on any militia officer in Nova Scotia.
The second division was named “Parr’s Division” after the Honorable John Parr, Captain General, Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over His Majesty’s province of Nova Scotia at that time and down to 1791. The division embraced that portion of the Town from the south easterly side line of Edward street to the north westerly side line of Princess Royal street.
Morris' Division
The third division extended from Princess Royal street to Patrick street and was named “Morris’ division” for the Hon. Charles Morris father of the Charles Morris who laid out the town. The Hon. Charles Morris was Surveyor General in Nova Scotia in 1794. He was at one time a representative of the old county of Sunbury in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. His father was also named Charles Morris and was the first Surveyor General of Nova Scotia.
According to plans so prepared by Mr. Morris, and following his descriptions by Divisions, Blocks and lots the town of St. Andrews were grant to William Gammon and 429 others, the 15th day of August 1784. Over the next few centuries, the same lines would remain dividing each division yet their back borders extended up and over the hills far past that of the original Prince of Wales line mapped by Morris in 1784. Today, the coastal lines of the lands commonly referred to as O'Neill Farm, Kingsbrae Gardens, Katy's Cove, as well
Source: St. Andrews Civic Trust, John Leroux "St. Andrews Architecture 1604-1966"; Ronald Rees "Historic St. Andrews"
