Heritage in the Hat: Grandfather’s craftsmanship, a Stacey home
By Medicine Hat News on October 14, 2017.
Hugh Stacey of Edmonton was amazed when he recently learned of the homes built here by his grandfather John Stacey during the years before the Great War. He knew of him only as a “builder from Medicine Hat” when a chance encounter with Heritage Resources Committee member Sally Sehn triggered a tour of Stacey houses. John Edward Stacey grew up in Orillia, Ont., eldest child of carpenter George Stacey, and was apprenticing as a carpenter himself by age 17. He and his brother George eventually headed west where George established Stacey Lumberyard in Lethbridge. John, wife Alma, and children Ferne, Earl (Cliff), Olive and Bernice had arrived in Medicine Hat by 1911, drawn by the housing boom. Building contractors were in huge demand and real estate offices sprang up all over town. Stacey set up a contracting business under the name of Jno. E. Stacey & Co. at his home, 1118 Montreal (4th) Street S.E. By 1913, he had built two houses side by side on Alberta Street (today 235/245 8th Street S.E.), operating his business from 235, and after it was sold, moved next door. At the peak of the boom (1912-1914), Stacey built 13 houses and a warehouse, a pace that would rival builders today, all without pre-fabricated components! Eleven of the homes still exist, more than 100 years later. His most recognizable project is the Edwardian Classical Revival three storey brick home located at 234 First Street S.E., built in 1914 for Dr. Woodland for $24,000 when the average cost of a home was $4,000. The plan included a ballroom on the third floor and a doctor’s office, with a speaking tube connecting the outside entrance to the master bedroom, the latest in communications technology. The original wood trim and floors have been kept lovingly intact by several owners. By 1917, Stacey was working at Preston Planing Mills. The economy had crashed, very few building permits were being issued and he had a family to support. He kept the contracting business but did not construct any more recorded houses. By 1921, the Stacey family had relocated to Edmonton, where John continued to build houses, some of which still exist in the historical Garneau neighbourhood. Hugh and a small party of visitors toured the Woodland house, courtesy of the current owner, Ron Smythe. This home was the pinnacle of Stacey’s local craftsmanship although the tour of other Stacey homes in the city proved the consistent quality of his work endures today, over a century later. Malcolm Sissons is the Chair of the City’s Heritage Resources Committee and this column was researched and tour organized by Committee member Sally Sehn. 9-8
