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| Address: |
128 HARBORD ST |
| Original Address: |
9451 Kennedy Road, 60 Aksel Rinck Drive |
| Property Legal Description: |
PLAN 65M4398 LOT 174 |
| Historical Name: |
Philip Eckardt Log House |
| Heritage Conservation District: |
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| Ward: |
6 |
| Year Built: |
1800 |
| Architect Style: |
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| Heritage Status of Property: |
Part IV (Individual) |
| Designation Bylaw: |
2021-90; 229-93 |
| Heritage Easement Agreement: |
Yes |
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History Description |
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The Philip Eckardt Log House is the only early log house in Markham remaining on its original site. It is a unique example of Germanic design influence transported to Canada via the Berczy settlers, possibly influenced by Pennsylvania Germans. The unusual roof design, incorporating a type of pent roof on the north side, appears to be derived from the vernacular domestic architecture of the Pennsylvania-German culture. A similar cultural influence is reflected in the plank-form log construction which uses relatively thin sections of large-size logs. The wide overhang of the eaves is of sufficient depth to act as a porch around three sides of the building. At one time, the house was raised on a low, clapboard-sided ground floor storey. Early photographs suggest that there was a balcony or two storey veranda corresponding with the wide roof overhang. In 1948, the Bartlett family remodelled the building to its present state, with the major changes being the removal of the ground floor storey and a late 19th century kitchen wing, and the addition of hip-roofed dormers.
The Philip Eckardt Log House has historical and associative value as the oldest known remaining building in Markham and the former home of two original Berczy Settler families. Lot 17, Concession 6, was drawn by Frederick Ulrick Emelius Westphalen in 1794. He was noted in William Berczy’s settlement records of 1803 as residing on this property, the same year he received the Crown patent. It is possible that Westphalen was the original builder, as he would have received the Crown patent only after fulfilling the settlement duties, which include the construction of a modest house. This consideration could date the building to the mid to late 1790s. However, the log house is generally attributed to Philip Eckardt, who purchased the west 100 acres of Lot 17 in 1808 and remained there until he died in 1845. Eckardt was an important member of the Berczy group, possessing diverse skills as a miller, millwright, carpenter, surveyor and mechanic.
The building has further historical and associate value for its later ownership by Philip Eckardt’s descendants, followed by the Fierheller family and others. In 1950, the former Eckardt farm was purchased from William F. Bartlett by Frank Beckett to become part of the Beckett farm, which consisted on the west 100 acres of Lot 16, Concession 6, directly to the south.
The Philip Eckardt House has contextual value as a farmhouse from Markham’s earliest settlement period, on its original site within an evolving urban landscape. Located near the Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery, the log house is an important component of a cultural heritage landscape representing the heritage of the Berczy Settlers. In 2019, the building was restored to its two-storey form and forms a part of a new brick residence within the Upper Unionville community.
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| Contemporary Photograph |
Heritage Photograph |
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Key Map
Please note that the yellow polygon symbol is not indicative of the actual heritage area and is only meant to highlight the property the heritage building(s) is located at. For a complete description of the actual heritage property please refer to the Designation Bylaw found above. |
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