THUNDER BAY - One of Thunder Bay’s most remarkable residences is turning 100.
The James Murphy residence, located on the city’s south side on Selkirk Street, commemorated the occasion with a press conference on Thursday.
On the prestigious front lawn of the mansion, property owner Bruno Valente reflected on his decision to purchase the building in 1986.
“I’m not sure if I knew exactly what I was taking over,” he said. “It was really challenging to keep that beauty.”
The three-and-a-half storey home was completed in 1919 after the First World War.
The building is named after James Murphy, the first owner of the home, who is known for establishing a local coal company, serving as president of the Superior Printing Co., and publisher of the Fort William Daily Times Journal. He was elected as the first mayor of the City of Fort William in 1907.
“He was a major community developer for this side of town,” said Andrew Cotter, chair of Thunder Heritage Advisory Committee.
His imprint beyond the house includes the Murphy block on Simpson Street, and remnants of the coal dock in the East End, and his former residence.
The 15,000 square-foot building has an eclectic architectural style with characteristics reminiscent of Late English Gothic and Chateau. Parapet gable walls, terra-cotta roof tiles, Simpson Island stone, and corbelled brickwork are all in the home’s make-up.
Designated as the city’s first residential home with heritage status in 1984, Cotter says there aren’t many homes of this age that are still in pristine condition.
He credits Valente for the up-keep he’s provided to keep the home in spectacular shape.
“A lot of people don’t realize Thunder Bay has a home like this, they used the best material in the world at that time,” Valente said.
“It’s challenging, it’s a lot of work, and expensive to maintain,” Valente said. “That’s why I keep the traffic down… I visited the home with my parents and wife years ago, and knew from that moment I was going to buy it.”
