The latter called upon John William H. Watt (1850-1917), who was, around 1900, one of the most sought-after architects in the federal capital. He is also responsible for the plans for the splendid Fleck-Paterson house, at 550, rue Wilbrod, in Côte-de-Sable, which today houses the Algerian embassy.
At the turn of the 20th century, John R. Booth, a major lumber baron, employed thousands of men in his mills and lumber camps in the Ottawa River Valley, including many French-speaking people, particularly from the LeBreton Flats.
Ottawa Lumber Baron John Rudolphus Booth (Library and Archives Canada)
Subsequently, the industrialist invested massively in the railway industry to become the largest owner of private railways in the world.
A sumptuous residence
John Rudolphus Booth’s luxurious residence is inspired by Queen Anne architecture with its towers, porches, wings, bays, solariums and grand verandas.
The elegant red brick construction has a classically shaped pediment and is distinguished by its medieval-style corner tower, topped with carefully carved finials, which gives it a stately presence.
The exterior is also remarkable, particularly for the arrangement of brick and perfectly cut stone, its tall crenellated chimneys, its gables, its dormer windows and its large projecting windows.
The exterior of the JR Booth house is distinguished by the arrangement of perfectly cut brick and stone. (Simon Séguin-Bertrand/Le Droit)
Furthermore, the refined interior of the residence with two main facades is distinguished, among other things, by its rich woodwork and paneling, its beautiful stained glass windows, its arches, as well as its magnificent carved staircase. Fortunately, most of its original finishes are still well preserved.
The wealthy timber magnate died on December 7, 1925, at the venerable age of 98, leaving behind, according to some, a fortune of $100 million, a colossal sum. Of course, this amount is probably exaggerated, but it is true that JR Booth is far from being a poor man… Quite the contrary, he has a fortune of several million dollars.
Most of the original finishes of the JR Booth house are still well preserved. (Simon Séguin-Bertrand/Le Droit)
In any case, regardless of the amount of his fortune, he remains a prominent figure in the Ottawa business world. Indeed, as Jamie Benidickson notes in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography : “Through his hard work, his determination and his longevity, he contributed greatly to the development of the private sector in the capital that Ottawa had become.”
JR Booth’s son, C. Jackson Booth and his family resided in the house for several years. In 1947, the Booth family sold the opulent property to the prestigious Laurentian Club of Ottawa. In 2001, Trinity Western University purchased the building to establish its educational programs in the capital. Then, the following year, the university opened the Laurentian Leadership Centre.
A National Historic Site
The sumptuous residence of John Rudolphus Booth was designated a Canadian historic site on November 16, 1990 by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. According to’Directory of federal heritage designationsit is one of the finest examples of Queen Anne Revival style in domestic architecture.
The sumptuous residence of John Rudolphus Booth was designated a Canadian historic site on November 16, 1990. (Simon Séguin-Bertrand/Le Droit)
All in all, the John R. Booth residence is a very good reflection of the upper middle class housing in the federal capital at the beginning of the 20th century. Moreover, it bears witness to the wealth of its illustrious owner.
It is reassuring to know that this jewel of built and historical heritage is protected for future generations, since it is designated a heritage property by the City of Ottawa under Ontario Heritage Act.
Sources:
Jamie Benidickson, Booth, John Rudolphus; Dictionary of Canadian Biography
Local Advisory Committee on Architectural Conservation, Ottawa. Built Heritage Guide, City of Ottawa, 2000, 250 p.
Parks Canada, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, John R. Booth Residence National Historic Site of Canada
