Notice of Intention to Designate a Property of Cultural Heritage Value

17 November 2025

Notice of Intention to Designate a Property of Cultural Heritage Value
“Pleasantview House”
16776 Woodbine Avenue, Whitchurch-Stouffville

The Council of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville intends to designate 16776 Woodbine Avenue, in the community of Pleasantville, under Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, as being a property of cultural heritage value.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest
16776 Woodbine Avenue (Pleasantview House)

Part of Lot 31 Concession 3 former Township of Whitchurch, as in R23-0726; Town of Whitchurch Stouffville; Subject to Execution 98-05339, if enforceable.

Description of Historic Place

The property known municipally as 16776 Woodbine Avenue is located on part of Lot 31, Concession 3 in the former Township of Whitchurch. The property is located one the west side of Woodbine Avenue just to the north of the intersection with Vivian Road. The property contains a one storey brick home in the Regency Cottage architectural style and a detached rear yard garage.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value

The property located at 16776 Woodbine Avenue has cultural heritage value as a rare example of the Regency Cottage architectural style in the Town and as the residence of Colonel William Beresford, a retired officer from the Prince Regent’s Own Rifles. It also was the residence of local blacksmith in the community and early Quaker settler Edward Randall, and the later blacksmith James Sisler. Identified as Pleasantview House, the structure was likely built in the 1840s.

The property contains design or physical value in its Regency Cottage architectural style, common with British Officers who settled in Canada. This style is reflected in the rectangular floor plan, hip roof, and large windows which allow plenty of light into the interior. The large 12 over 12 windows appear to be original and mark the early construction of the property. The most prominent feature of the dwelling is the large front entryway with carved wooden door, sidelights, and prominent fanlight above. This is a rare example of the architectural style in the Town, with only one other known dwelling constructed in this style.

The property contains historical or associative value as the dwelling was likely constructed as the residence of Captain William Beresford (commonly referred to as Colonel, possibly due to a later militia posting) on the property of Edward Randall in advance of the construction of his larger home to the south of the intersection. It likely later served as the residence of Edward Randall and later James Sisler, both of whom practiced blacksmithing from the blacksmith that once stood immediately south of the property at the corner of Vivian Road and Woodbine Avenue. Edward Randall was born to an early Quaker settler of the area who settled in the first decade of the nineteenth century on Lot 30 of Concession 3. He represents the theme of early Quaker settlement in the area as well as the expansion of the farms and industries of these early Quaker immigrants throughout the nineteenth century.

The property contains contextual value due to its location in the community of Pleasantville, located close to the historic primary intersection of the hamlet. The property is also situated at the peak of a rise overlooking the nearby road and creek, typical of the Regency style. The property would also have been adjacent to the now lost blacksmith at the northwest corner of the intersection which previous owners Edward Randall and James Sisler both would have operated.

Cultural Heritage Attributes

The following heritage attributes display cultural heritage value and contribute to the design and physical value of the property at 16776 Woodbine Avenue:

  • Regency Cottage architectural style,
  • Rectangular floorplan with offset rear addition;
  • Hip roof with overhanging eaves;
  • Masonry construction;
  • Twelve over twelve windows with brick jack arches;
  • Sidelights on front façade windows;
  • Front entryway with wooden sidelights and fanlight;
  • Curved brick arch following curve of fanlight on front façade;
  • Fieldstone foundation;
  • Central brick chimney;
  • Window and door openings on south, east, and north facades; and,
  • Covered porch on south façade.

The following heritage attributes display cultural heritage value and contribute to the contextual value of the property at 16776 Woodbine Avenue:

  • Proximity to intersection of Vivian Road and Woodbine Avenue, located within the Community of Pleasantville; and,
  • Location on the top of the crest of a hill overlooking Vivian Road.

Written Notice of Objection

Any person may, within 30 days after the date of the publication of the Notice, serve written notice of their objections to the proposed designation, together with a statement for the objection and relevant facts.
Dated at Whitchurch-Stouffville, this 14th day of November 2025.

Becky Jamieson, Town Clerk
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
Stouffville, Ontario

CONTACT: Trevor Alkema, Heritage Planner I, Development Services, Phone: (905) 640-1900 ext. 2299, E-mail: trevor.alkema@townofws.ca

Scroll to top