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1903 (Creation)
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Physical description
9 architectural drawings : blueprint ; 45 x 26 cm
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Custodial history
Scope and content
Contains nine architectural drawings of the Bridgeport Casino created by Samuel Hamilton Townsend for the Berlin and Bridgeport Electric Street Railway. Plans include elevation towards street, elevation towards the river, southerly elevation, cross-section, northerly elevation, floor plans of the first and second floors, drawings of windows and doors, drawings of a fireplace and surround, drawings of a decorative frieze possibly above the fireplace.
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Physical condition
The plans have been rolled for many years. The outsides edges of the plans are crumpled and in some places brittle and beginning to crumble.
Immediate source of acquisition
Acquistion unknown.
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English
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This material is physically located at the Musagetes Architecture Library at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture in Cambridge, Ontario. For more information about accessing this material, please contact the Musagetes staff.
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In the public domain.
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General note
Samuel Hamilton Townsend (1856-1940) was a Canadian architect who specialized in grand residential design. His style is exemplified by his work on the Macpherson Estate in the Rosedale neighbourhood of Toronto. He apprenticed with William G. Storm and worked in partnership with Herbert Hancock before forming his own firm in 1883. He was a founding member of the Toronto Architectural Guild and of the Ontario Association of Architects.
General note
The Berlin & Bridgeport Electric Street Railway Company was incorporated on January 7, 1901 and opened July 14, 1902. On August 1, 1902, streetcar service was extended to Bridgeport. The Berlin & Bridgeport service operated from the Berlin Town Hall to Bridgeport. The railway was owned by William Henry Breithaupt, and the casino was built to attract people to Bridgeport and encourage patrons to use the railway line.
Although called a casino, it was not a gambling establishment, but rather a dance hall with entertainment such as a bowling alley, shooting gallery, rollerskating rink, and a ferry for patrons to fish and swim in the Grand River.
By the 1940's streetcar service to Bridgeport had stopped, and the building changed hands a number of times while largely remaining as a dance hall venue. In 1975 Golf's Steak House was opened in the building and remains there today.
Physical description
Many of the plans have notes and amendments in graphite and red pencil indicating changes to the final structure.
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Created by JB April 2025.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Sources
Samuel Hamilton Townsend at Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada 1800-1950
Kitchen & Waterloo Street Railway at Trainweb