Davis House (Freshwater)

Built around 1850, the Davis House has served as a home for generations of the Davis family of Freshwater, Conception Bay. It is also the oldest building still standing in the community.

Davis House, Freshwater, NL
Davis House, Freshwater, NL
Davis House has remained unchanged since it was built around 1850.
© 1998 Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Davis family's roots in Newfoundland can be traced back to the early 1700s. The Davis family was actively involved in the Labrador fishery and in the construction industry in Boston. Despite their ventures off the island, the family continued to live in Newfoundland.

Eli Davis built the house, and after his death it passed to his son, John. It has continued to be passed down through the family until the present day, and is currently owned by Wayne and Rosalyn Cole.

A wooden two-storeyed house with a hip roof, it has chamber beams and six-over-six windows. By the late 1980s the house was falling into disrepair; however, it has since been restored and remains a private dwelling. It became a Registered Heritage Structure in May 1989 and was also awarded the Southcott Award for heritage restoration by the Newfoundland Historic Trust.

Registered Heritage Structures Table of Contents

Also view Davis House Registered Heritage Structure on the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador web site. The Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web Site has on its site only a portion of the registered heritage structures in Newfoundland and Labrador. To view a complete list or search for a particular structure visit the Heritage Foundation's Property Search page.