Rennies Mill Road
- For the area of Hong Kong known as Rennie's Mill, see Tiu Keng Leng.
Rennie's Mill Road | |
|---|---|
Neighbourhood | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Newfoundland and Labrador |
| City | St. John's |
| Ward | 2 |
| Government | |
| • Administrative body | St. John's City Council |
| • Councilor | Frank Galgay |
Rennie's Mill is an east end neighbourhood in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
In the aftermath of the city's Great Fire of 1846, Rennie's Mill Road was developed as a residential area where the prosperous residents sought tranquil and safe accommodations away from the crowded downtown core. It contains a remarkably harmonious and homogeneous grouping of large, wooden homes that are closely associated with individuals prominent in the political, financial and social life of Newfoundland, among them four prime ministers of the colony.
During 1846 to 1892, the neighborhood benefited from a trend by merchants to relocate their families from living in the upper story of their downtown businesses to Rennie's Mill and adjacent roads. This property development added to the fashionable character of the area. A substantial number of these houses were designed in the Second Empire style, which, with its steep mansard roofs, is one of the most characteristic residential forms in St. John's. Another popular style represented is the Queen Anne Revival, which is similar in scale but more varied in form. This district is a rare intact 19th century example of the planning phenomenon: the residential suburb. In 1987, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada designated the area as "Rennie's Mill Road Historic District" due to the area being a fine example of 19th-century residential streetscape.
Public Investment in the Neighborhood
Rennie’s Mill Road, Circular Road, and Kings Bridge Road are three historically prominent neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Colonial Building (1850), Commissariat House (1818-20), Government House (1827-31), and St. Thomas’ Church (1836). The construction of the Colonial Building and the establishment of Bannerman Park in 1864 added to the area’s prestige, particularly when, in 1887, the Colonial Building became the first public building in Newfoundland to introduce electric lighting and remove gas fixtures. For further information on the Colonial Building and adjacent areas, see the Colonial Building Historic Structures Final Report September 2007 by PHB Group Inc. (http://www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/publications/2008/2592-01_FinalReport.pdf)
Early Images in the Rennie's Mill Neighborhood
Rennie's River, St. John's - Man with ducks (ca. 1905). (Memorial University of Newfoundland. Libraries. Maritime History Archive, Job Photograph Album)
Rennie’s Bridge, showing Rennie’s Mill Road extension. Photo by A. G. Williams. The Newfoundland Quarterly, volume 29, no. 2 (October 1929) page 12.
Rotary Playgrounds’ Swimming Pool, Rennie’s River. A popular summer resort within the city limits. The Newfoundland Quarterly, volume 29, no. 2 (October 1929) page 28.
The swimming pool at “Sliding Rock”, Rennie’s River. Photo by G. R. Williams. The Newfoundland Quarterly, volume 29, no. 2 (October 1929) page 29.
Early Maps that Include Historical Information of the Rennie's Mill Neighborhood
Map of St. John’s, 1909, showing location of Rennie Baking Company (map building 134/reference 133). W. P. Ryan, City Engineers Office. Memorial University of Newfoundland. Libraries. Map Library
Map of St. John's, 1922, includes all properties along Rennie's Mill Road. W. P. Ryan, City Engineer. Memorial University of Newfoundland. Libraries. Map Library
Map of the plan of northern valley, St. John's, Newfoundland (1945) identifying land owners and their property along Rennie’s Mill, North of Empire Avenue. Newfoundland. Crown Lands and Surveys Branch. Memorial University of Newfoundland. Libraries. Map Library
See also
| Government | |
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| Geography | |
| Sports | |
| Culture | |
| Transportation | |
