Calgary Heritage Initiative forums

andoverctpatsy · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Fall River , MA USA

Hi any news on the Cowsill house yet?
A lot of Very old buildings torn down here and one trying to be save in Westport Mass, USA that is listed .
What a pity these can't be save because of an oversite.
People unite.
Thanks.

newsposter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1812

The "Cowsill House" is up for sale again (early July 2008), so the owner's redevelopment plans must have fallen through. Let's hope the next owner sees the value in preserving the building. The condo market has turned here in Calgary, and it might make more sense to do an office conversion than tear it down for a new condo building.

See page 1 of this thread for more information....

newsposter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1812

This is interesting... at one point in the last few years the Cowsill house was part of an attempt by a couple of individuals to raise money from investors that ran afoul of the Alberta Securities Commission. The AEC enforcement order is linked below. It is unclear from these document if those accused ever owned the house.

http://www.albertasecurities.com/Enforcement/Enforcement%20Orders/SUNNINGDALE%20GROUP%20INC%20NOH%202008%2012%201%203054880%20v5.pdf

newsposter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1812

Two pieces of excellent news:
Very Happy

We have learned that the house has been purchased by a buyer who intends to preserve the house as a live-work place. Let's hope this works out!

Smile

This spring the Jackson (Cowsill) house was added to the Calgary Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources as a Community Heritage Resource. This does not confer much protection, but it does put it on the City radar and would likely not have happened without the profile of the house being raised by CHI and Billy Cowsill fans...

Here is a brief summary from the heritage evaluation:

Evaluation of the Jackson (Cowsill) Residence
1723 9 Street SW (1911)
Evaluated as a Community Historic Resource (CHR)

The Jackson House, built in 1911, is one of the original residences in Calgary’s Lower Mount Royal district. It is a two and one-half storey, foursquare-plan house detailed in the American Colonial-revival style. The wood-frame, red-brick veneer house features a paneled front verandah, balconies, and Palladian dormer windows. The first resident, Frank Jackson, was a construction contractor and lived, with his family in this house until 1930. One of the more recent residents was internationally-renowned musician Billy Cowsill (Hair, 1969) who was a prominent figure in the local root-music scene until his death in the house February 2006.

Source: Calgary Heritage Authority, Evaluation & Review Committee Minutes, March 26, 2009

Attachment to the main CHA minutes, linked below:
http://www.calgary.ca/DocGallery/bu/planning/pdf/heritage/minutes/2009/cha_minutes_apr.pdf

Lynk · Joined: 26 Jun 2009 Posts: 1

To all those concerned about the fate of the Jackson Residence:

I represent the group who have recently acquired the property and rest assured it will NOT meet the fate of a wrecking ball. Restoration of the property commenced in early June and we hope to have it finished by early October.
If you should have any questions please direct to Lynk at dabear3@hotmail.com

bamachick · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 9

This is great news!! Thank you so much. It is a lovely home, too nice to be torn down and being Billy Cowsill's last residence just makes it all the more special. Could you explain to me what a *live - work* is? Do you know the plans?

andoverctpatsy · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Fall River , MA USA

This is great news indeed. Thank you, Thank you ,Thank you !!!!

-----------------------------------

I want to SHOUT OUT A Big THANK YOU to all concerned about saving the Jackson/Cowsill house.
Maybe you should come down here and teach this Country about saving its Heritage.
I Hope the house will be put to good use. I know Bill wanted to help People with their lives. Maybe This can happen yet.
It is a lovely house and needs to be standing Proud and Beautiful in all it's Glory.
What a lovely end to a lovely house and a lovely Man and I feel Bill Cowsill would be so proud as he so loved your City and it's People. What a fitting end to a good thing.
Thank you for all you have done to save this building.
Some day I hope to visit your Lovely City.
Thank you again and best wishes to you.
Keep us updated please.
Patsy
Fall River, MA USA.

newsposter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1812

The municipal heritage designtion for the Jackson (aka Jackson-Cowsill) residence in Lower Mount Royal is going to City Council's committee on Land Use, Planning and Transportation (LPT) on November 18 2009. I'll post a link to the item when it is available.

bamachick · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 9

newsposter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1812

Pop star's old home spun into showcase

Jason Markusoff
Calgary Herald, November 18 2009

This news story includes mention of the support of Cowsill fans on this web forum, and how Billy is being remembered in the project... Also a photo of how the house looks today.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/star+Calgary+home+spun+into+showcase/2234862/story.html

bamachick · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 9

Thank you so much for the note letting me know about this wonderful news!!!! The plans for the house sound extraordinary. Billy Cowsill lives on in the hearts of his family, friends and fans and it is wonderful that the house will live on as a showcase. Bill touched the hearts of many and it is wonderful to see that in death, he still does.

Ginny

andoverctpatsy · Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Fall River , MA USA

Thanks all concerned on saving the Jackson/Cowsill House. What an honor for your great City and Bill Cowsill. To have a showcase for him and to save an old House is just wonderful.He would be so happy.I am over the moon and it just goes to show how People can get together and save things they care about. Thank you so much.
Patsy

newsposter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1812

Jackson House reborn - Historic home up for Lion Award for restoration

JESSICA PICHE/for Metro Calgary
May 19, 2010 5:27 a.m.

It’s not haunted, but the Jackson House is said to be watched-over by its famous late owner. Billy Cowsill of the Partridge Family-inspiring group The Cowsills, was only one of the many who once lived in this turn-of-the-century home....

Full story: http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/local/article/529658--jackson-house-reborn

bamachick · Joined: 17 Jan 2008 Posts: 9

This is such wonderful news!!! I was so pleased to have been one of the american fans to lend a hand in saving this wonderful house! I have been eagerly waiting to hear how things are going and I am thrilled to see it going so well. Wonderful old homes are a passion of mine and Billy Cowsill, well there is no need to even say anything other than he was a marvelous person and yeah, I can see him watching over *his* house with a smile on his lips. I look forward to coming by and seeing the house in August when I am in your marvelous city. Thanks so much for all the work and love put in this great house

Ginny

newsposter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1812

Video: Jackson House Reborn at the link below.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/videos/index.html#hXX5T4qZj8Hjee0TgMNO0aYkTMFy8eZr