Lauzon House
95 Luxton Avenue
The Lauzon House is one of the finest residential examples
of the Queen Anne style found in the City, displaying a wealth
of ornamentation that gives its picturesque visage.
The main (south) façade features a centrally located
entrance with a one-storey bay window to the east. Starting
form the window, wrapping around the southwest corner and
running the entire length of the west side of the building
is a one-storey porch embellished with intricately carved
woodwork decorating the eaves and railing. Support for the
porch is achieved by 11 slender, unfluted wooden posts. The
bottom of the porch is open, small stone supports are located
beneath each of the wooden posts. The roof of the porch is
plain save for the pediment above the steps leading to the
main entrance. A small deck is located above the porch at
the north end of the west side.
The other outstanding and unique feature of the house is
the gingerbread vergeboard on the steeply pitched gable dormers
of the south façade. The vergeboard is intact and is
complete with king posts hanging from the point of the gable
to small stars at the bottom. The windows in this area are
pedimented.
Windows elsewhere in the building are plainly adorned, set
in simple wooden frames. The home's east side features a number
of unadorned windows and a plain door. A simple, two-car garage
is also located in the northeast corner of the property.
The interior the house features many original elements, including
a layout that has been virtually unchanged. Wood accents around
windows and doors and on the staircase hint at the luxuriousness
of this home when combined with what would have been a wealth
of beautiful furnishings, some of which still remain in the
vacant house.
The basement features cement posts and large wooden beams
which would have provided excellent support for the building,
although some heaving is evident in the cement floor. An old
broiler, reportedly in good condition, is also found here.
The main floor features large, open rooms with a sizeable
dining room and a parlour in the home's southeast corner (bay
window). The kitchen is newer, having been recently upgraded.
Two separate staircases lead to a second floor with six smaller
bedrooms, a long central hallway and several built-in cabinets
and dressers.
The house's long-time owner/resident was Jean Baptiste Lauzon,
born in Pointe Claire, Montreal in March 1858. Lauzon became
a butcher's apprentice and came to Winnipeg in 1876. After
two years in the meat trade, Lauzon opened up his own business
in St. Boniface. His business thrived and soon he opened up
a second location in the Public Market Building behind City
Hall. The site of Luxton School was originally Lauzon's abattoir
and farm.
Lauzon was also active in politics and was elected to the
St. Boniface council in 1885, a position he held until 1898.
He was also elected as a Conservative member of the Manitoba
Legislature and he was one of the first members of the Retail
Merchants' Association of Manitoba. Lauzon died at the age
of 87 and was survived by his wife, one son and two daughters.
The Lauzon House is a physical reminder of the type of development
that occurred in Winnipeg around the turn-of-the-century.
It was nearly two decade-long era of unbridled growth in all
facets of life, and many newly arriving citizens took full
advantage of the times and made themselves and their families
considerable fortunes. This house, which was and still is
one of the finest in the City's North End, is a perfect example
of the type of home designed and built by a successful public
and business figure.
The Lauzon House, located at one end of a quiet residential
Street, could not be considered conspicuous to many Winnipeggers,
although its outstanding architectural detailing and large
lot do increase its visual impact on the Street itself.
*Historical Buildings Committee
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