Matthew Farfan

One of Beebe's most historic buildings may soon be facing demolition. The building in question is a large home on Main Street, built in the 1870s in the Second Empire style. The home, whose original owner was Dr. Theodore Whitcher, a prominent local physician, is listed as a heritage building in the Town of Stanstead's Architectural Protection By-Law (PIIA).

Currently the building is the property of Rock of Ages, a major granite manufacturer occupying the property directly behind the house. The front part of the house has been vacant for some time, though the annex at the back is currently occupied by tenants. The company feels the building is beyond repair and would like to replace it with a parking lot. The Town of Stanstead's Demolition Committee will be examining the case the coming weeks.


Second Empire architecture, which originated in France in the latter half of the 19th century, is characterized by the distinctive Mansard roof and by extensive ornamentation.




(Photos: Matthew Farfan)