High River council has started the process to designate a home in the town a Municipal Historic Resource.

The home is located at 131 - 2 Avenue Southeast and is known as the Hamilton house.

A report to council says "the municipal heritage value of the Hamilton residence lies in its association with the Hamilton family; and for its late 1880’s design with decorative detailing and traditional construction."

The report to council gives the history of the home;

"Thomas and Jane Hamilton arrived in 1889, from Ontario, and homesteaded a mile east of High River. The Hamilton’s had twelve children, however seven of them died from either fire or influenza. The older children worked in town and on neighbouring ranches. After the untimely death of Thomas Hamilton, Jane continued to live in the house. When son Herbert returned from overseas service in WWI with his British war bride, Ellen Cowley, they moved into the house with Jane Hamilton. During WWII, Herbert worked in the security detail at the High River Flight Training School. The couple hosted parties at the house where Herbert entertained on the violin. After he died, Ellen continued to live in the
Hamilton House until she moved to Calgary in 1967.

The residence was built c1890 for the Hamilton Family, however some of the family continued to live on the initial homestead. The attractive residence has an interesting view from the street because of the large open verandah with square posts with decorative wood trim, and open rails that wrap around the front and left side of the house. The angled entrance to the verandah has a decorative wood treillage design, with a pediment containing decorative wood detailing. The house retains the original window and door fenestrations. The building is clad with shiplap siding and corner boards. There are double-hung wood-frame windows with two-over-two wood frame storms. The house has a
medium-gable roof, with a cross-gable. The eaves and verges have a plain fascia, and a plain frieze on the verges."

The Notice of Intention to Designate is sent to the property owner and after 60 days, if they don't object, a formal bylaw is prepared and if passed the notice is registered on title.

The designation legally protects a building, structure or feature from being destroyed, disturbed, altered, restored or repaired without the written approval of Council, or its designate, pursuant to Section 26 (6) of the Historical Resources Act.