Guelph in Wellington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Provincial Winter Fair Building
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022
1. Provincial Winter Fair Building Marker
In 1899, based on the city's reputation for promoting advanced agriculture, Guelph's Market Square was selected to host the annual Provincial Winter Fair. The square was also used regularly for livestock competitions, cattle and horse auctions, grain, hay and wood markets, displays, sales and banquets. After 1914, changes to the buildings accommodated housing for troops during World War II and the Memorial Gardens Arena. In 2002, preparation for a new City Hall building revealed most of the original Winter Fair Building facade which stands as a monument to Guelph's agricultural history. Guelph's original Town Hall, the fair building (constructed in 1900) and Market Square are shown here.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Architecture • Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 43° 32.615′ N, 80° 14.934′ W. Marker is in Guelph, Ontario, in Wellington County. It is on Carden Street just east of Wilson Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located directly in front of the new Guelph City Hall, former
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Home of the First Mayor of Guelph (within shouting distance of this marker); Guelph's Original Town Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Guelph City Hall / L'hτtel de ville de Guelph (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Guelph City Hall 1856 (about 90 meters away); John Galt's Town Plan (about 90 meters away); John Galt (about 90 meters away); The Toronto-Dominion Bank (about 150 meters away); Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception / LΙglise Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
Courtesy Guelph Museums Grundy_28
2. Marker detail: Guelph Town Hall and Winter Fair Building, circa 1905
Regarding Provincial Winter Fair Building. Canadian Register of Historic Places (1998/04/06).
Also see . . .
1. The Provincial Winter Fair.
In 1900, a massive Winter Fair Building was constructed to house the exhibitions and livestock shows on the site of Market Square. Horse stables were built south of the Winter Fair Building, with an underground tunnel leading the show ring area. Although the tunnels have been sealed, the former stables currently serve as the stie for the Guelph Farmer's Market. In 1910, more space was needed and an addition the Winter Fair Building was extended to Carden Street.(Submitted on October 28, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)In the early 2000s, during preparations of the former site to build a new City Hall, the front facade of the 1900 era Provincial Winter Fair Building was found to be relatively intact and stable inside the Memorial Gardens arena. The decision to incorporate the wall into the new design of City Hall and Market Square is a fitting reminder of the role that agriculture and the Fair played over two centuries of our community history.
2. Provincial Winter Fair Building.
Courtesy Guelph Museums 1986_18_202
3. Marker detail: Guelph Town Hall and Winter Fair Building, circa 1910
The Ontario Provincial Winter Fair Building, of 1900, represents a powerful local statement about Guelph's character and identity. The architectural style of this building was in keeping with Guelph's Old World country town look. Classical and Italianate designs were used extensively on the civic and city commercial buildings, constructed in Guelph, during the Victorian era. The Winter Fair Building was designed by architect F.R. Heakes, in an eclectic Victorian style. Its functional design reflects the older civic buildings, in the basic symmetry of the 320-foot faηade, and the sixteen sets of paired windows on the second storey. The Fire Hall at the western end was incorporated into the design, giving an overall effect similar to the commercial streetscape of Wyndham Street.(Submitted on October 28, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022
4. Provincial Winter Fair Building Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022
5. Provincial Winter Fair Building Heritage Marker
by the City of Guelph
1998/2009
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022
6. New Guelph City Hall (northeast elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022
7. Market Square & East Side of New Guelph City Hall
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022
8. New Guelph City Hall (west elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 26, 2022
9. New Guelph City Hall (northwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 28, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
