Name/Title
Moore’s Cottage - 16 Mountain StreetScope and Content
Moore’s Cottage - 16 Mountain StreetContext
Built in 1864 for Joseph Chambers, this Classical Regency Cottage on the south west corner of Mountain and Elm has been known by the community as The Cottage, or Moore's Cottage.
The Town of Grimsby designated this a Heritage Property in November 1987.
Joseph Chambers was the first owner. He lived here with his wife Fanny and their three children until 1883. Chambers was a blacksmith by trade and also a mason, employed at the Grout Agricultural Works on the opposite corner of the interection.
In the early years, a portion of the house also served as a private school run by Thomas Rome. He left in 1867 to teach at the new two-room public school built at nearby Elm Street near Oak. Thomas Rome was also an avid cricketer; later he became prominent as part owner of the John H. Grout Foundry.
After the sale by Chambers in 1883, the cottage passed through several hands until Bessie Moore's ownership from 1920 - 1946. The Moores built the first movie threatre in Grimsby village in 1913. After her husband's premature death in 1917, Bessie took over the running of the business and successfully carried on with it until she retired in 1944. Because of her determination to keep the theatre open, the Moore theatre served as a focus of entertainment in the community for many years. When she sold the theatre, the new owner rebranded it the Roxy Theatre.
Bessie Moore's contributions to the community earned her the Grimsby Lions Club Good Citizenship Award. She was also the first woman to receive an honorary membership from the Canadian Legion for service on the home front during both World Wars. She continued living at The Cottage until her death in 1946.
In later years, The Cottage was owned by Jack and Wendy Watt, champions of Grimsby heritage and restorers of a number of historical homes. The property was given a heritage designation during their ownership in 1987.
In subsequent years, the property became the Glen Elgin Real Estate office. The heritage minded Jarvis family retained the characteristic elements of the property with its adaptive reuse.
For 160+ years, it owners have maintained the cottage's Classical Regency style and character, with its pleasant balance and symmetry making it a landmark at one of the Town's early main intersections.Collection
GHSLocation
* Untyped Location
Digital Photo Library
