Madison House, Heritage museum in Kincardine, Canada.
Madison House is a three-story mansion with tall windows, decorative brackets, cornices, and low-pitched roofs built in the Italianate style at 343 Durham Market North. The large building now contains residential apartments on the upper floors for long-term stays.
Thomas C. Rooklidge constructed the house in 1870, and John Gentles, a local liveryman and horse dealer, purchased the property in 1886. The change in ownership reflects shifts in local business and community life during these decades.
The house reflects the architectural tastes and prosperity of local society during the late 1800s and remains a focal point in Kincardine's downtown. It shows how people with means preferred to build and display their homes in that era.
The building is easy to locate in downtown Kincardine and sits on the main commercial street, making it accessible by foot. Public access to upper floors may be limited depending on current residential use, so check ahead before visiting.
The building ranks as the second oldest structure still standing in Kincardine, making it a rare survivor from the town's earliest days. This distinction gives it special value as a window into how the community first developed and grew.
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