Binning, William Edward

BINNING, William Edward (1851-1928) was among the first settlers in the town of Listowel, Ont.. Born in Ancaster, Ont. on 22 June 1851 he was brought to the region by his parents when he was six months old. He began his career as an apprentice in the carpentry and building trade, but after 1885 he styled himself as an architect and can be credited with the design of over forty churches as well as eight Carnegie libraries and numerous schools throughout Perth County. He favoured a simplified Romanesque Revival style for his institutional work, and later adopted a Beaux-Arts classical style for his designs of small library buildings.

He practiced under his own name for more than thirty years with the exception of a brief period in 1895 when he was in partnership with David G. Baxter. In 1911 Binning moved to Moose Jaw, Sask. to work on several commissions obtained with the assistance of two of his sons who had moved west after 1900, but by 1913 he had returned to Ontario. Binning also held public office as a member of the Listowel town council, and served as Town Treasurer for twenty-three years and as Town Clerk for three years. He died in Listowel on 20 June 1928 (obit. Listowel Banner, 21 June 1928, 1; obit. Owen Sound Daily Sun Times, obit. The Globe [Toronto], 21 June 1928, 14; biog. and list of works in Stratford & Perth County Trade Review, 1898, 5). A portrait of Binning can be found in the Souvenir of the Town of Listowel, Ontario, 1902. His grandson was Bertram C. Binning (1909-1976), the prominent Vancouver artist.

W.E. BINNING

PALMERSTON, ONT., Methodist Church, James Street at Bell Street, 1886; still standing in 2023 (Christian Guardian [Toronto], 12 Jan. 1887, 3 & 4, descrip.)
PARKHILL, ONT., Methodist Church, 1887-88; converted to a residence in 2021; still standing in 2023 (Globe [Toronto], 3 Feb. 1887, 6, t.c.; Christian Guardian [Toronto], 25 Jan. 1888, 52, descrip.)
LISTOWEL, ONT., Knox Presbyterian Church, Inkerman Street West at Livingstone Avenue North, 1887-88; still standing in 2023 (History of Knox Presbyterian Church, 1957, 6-7)
LISTOWEL, ONT., First Baptist Church, Raglan Street, 1888 (Listowel Banner, 27 July 1888, 8)
MILVERTON, ONT., Methodist Church, 1889 (Christian Guardian [Toronto], 25 Dec. 1889, 820, descrip.)
BLUEVALE, ONT., Methodist Church, Queen Street at Duncan Street, 1890; still standing in 2023 (London Free Press, 2 Aug. 1890, 12)
LISTOWEL, ONT., residence for Matthew Sharping, Inkerman Street, 1893 (C.R., iv, 18 May 1893, 2)
LISTOWEL, ONT., Bank of Hamilton, new facade and extensive alterations, 1893 (C.R., iv, 18 May 1893, 2)
LISTOWEL, ONT., Breithaupt Leather Co., factory, 1893 (C.R., iv, 29 June 1893, 1, t.c.)
LISTOWEL, ONT., Roll's Block, a commercial block, 1893 (C.R., iv, 27 July 1893, 2)
BELGRAVE, ONT., Methodist Church, Brandon Road opposite Hamilton Street, 1893-94; still standing in 2023 (C.R., iv, 31 Aug. 1893, 1)
BRITTON, ONT., cheese factory for James Burke, 1893 (C.R., iv, 21 Sept. 1893, 1, t.c.)
PARKHILL, ONT., Town Hall, 1893 (Stratford & Perth County Trade Review, 1898, 5, list of works)
BLYTH, ONT., residence for D.B. McKinnon, 1894 (C.R., v, 8 Feb. 1894, 1)
BLYTH, ONT., residence for J.B. Tiernay, 1894 (C.R., v, 8 Feb. 1894, 1)
WHITECHURCH, ONT., Presbyterian Church, 1894-95; church closed 2016 (C.R., v, 8 Feb. 1894, 1; and 3 Jan. 1895, 2; Wingham Times, 25 Nov. 1895)

BINNING & BAXTER

WALLACE, ONT., residence for James Cumberland, 1895 (C.R., v, 3 Jan. 1895, 1)
CRANBROOK, ONT., school house in Grey Township, 1895 (C.R., v, 3 Jan. 1895, 1)
WALLACEBURG, ONT., mill building for J.M. Bright, 1895 (C.R., vi, 4 July 1895, 2)
EXETER, ONT., residence for H. Bishop, 1895 (C.R., vi, 4 July 1895, 2)
CRANBROOK, ONT., residence for Alexander McNair, 1895 (C.R., vi, 4 July 1895, 2)
PALMERSTON, ONT., residence for William Lynch, 1895 (C.R., vi, 4 July 1895, 2)

W.E. BINNING (Ecclesiastical works)

DEEMERTON, ONT., German Evangelical Church, 1897 (C.R., vii, 7 Jan. 1897, 1)
MOLESWORTH, ONT., St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 1897 (C.R., viii, 24 June 1897, 2)
ST. HELEN'S, ONT., Presbyterian Church, 1898 (C.R., ix, 16 March 1898, 2)
CHESLEY, ONT., Methodist Church, 2nd Avenue SE at 3rd Street SE, 1898; still standing in 2023 (C.R., ix, 15 June 1898, 3)
CHESLEY, ONT., Sunday School for the Presbyterian Church, 1898 (C.R., ix, 15 June 1898, 3)
MONKTON, ONT., manse for the Presbyterian Church, 1899 (C.R., x, 1 March 1899, 2)
MILVERTON, ONT., parsonage for the Methodist Church, 1899 (C.R., x, 1 March 1899, 2)
KEMBLE, ONT., Presbyterian Church, 1900 (C.R., xi, 7 Feb. 1900, 3; Owen Sound Sun, 9 Nov. 1900, 1, descrip.)
MOOREFIELD, ONT., Methodist Church, 1900 (C.R., xi, 21 Feb. 1900, 2, t.c.)
CLINTON, ONT., a church, Rattenbury Street, 1900 (Clinton News-Record, 10 May 1900, 8)
BRIGDEN, ONT., Methodist Church, Boswell Street at 2nd Street, 1901; still standing in 2022 (C.R., xii, 19 June 1901, 3, t.c.; inf. Ian Mason, Brigden, Ont.)
NORTH MORNINGTON, ONT., Presbyterian Church, 1903 (C.R., xiii, 4 Feb. 1903, 1, t.c.)
TAVISTOCK, ONT., Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church, Perth Line 29, at Perth Road 107, north of Tavistock, 1904-05; still standing in 2023 (Fact & Fantasy: A History of Tavistock, 1968, 94, illus.)
BLUEVALE, ONT., Presbyterian Church, Turnberry Township, 1907 (Book of Turnberry 1857-1957, 25-6)
CAYUGA, ONT., Methodist Church, Munsee Street South at Tuscarora Street, 1910 (C.R., xxiv, 8 June 1910, 26)

W. E. BINNING (Institutional and Educational works)

TARA, ONT., public school, 1899 (C.R., x, 22 March 1899, 3)
GORRIE, ONT., public school, 1900 (C.R., xi, 7 Feb. 1900, 3)
WALLACE, ONT., public school for S.S. No. 1, 1900 (C.R., xi, 18 April 1900, 2, t.c.)
ELMA TOWNSHIP, school for S.S. No. 9, 1900-01 (C.R., xi, 12 Dec. 1900, 2)
MORNINGTON TOWNSHIP, school for S.S. No. 8, 1901 (C.R., xii, 6 Feb. 1901, 2, t.c.)
MORRIS TOWNSHIP, school for S.S. No. 5, 1901 (C.R., xii, 13 Feb. 1901, 2)
LEBANON, ONT., public school, 1902 (C.R., xii, 29 Jan. 1902, 1, t.c.)
CARTHAGE, ONT., public school, 1902 (C.R., xiii, 5 Feb. 1902, 1, t.c.)
HOWICK TOWNSHIP, school near Fordwich for S.S. No. 11, 1903 (C.R., xiv, 25 Feb. 1903, 2, t.c.)
MORNINGTON TOWNSHIP, school for S.S. No. 6, 1903, (C.R., xiv, 5 Aug. 1903, 1)
LISTOWEL, ONT., Carnegie Library, Main Street West at Livingston Avenue South, 1905; still standing in 2022 (C.R., xvi, 31 May 1905, 2; M. Beckman, The Best Gift, 1984, 69, 126, 146, illus.)
BRUSSELS, ONT., Agricultural Hall for the East Huron Agricultural Society, 1906 (C.R., xvii, 6 June 1906, 4, t.c.)
TEESWATER, ONT., Carnegie Library, Clinton Street South at Union Street West, 1907; still standing in 2022 (C.R., xviii, 15 May 1907, 2; M. Beckman, The Best Gift, 1984, 50, 126, illus.)
HARRISTON, ONT., Carnegie Library, Mill Street at Elora Street South, 1908; still standing in 2022 (C.R., xxii, 19 Aug. 1908, 25, t.c.; M. Beckman, The Best Gift, 1984, 126, 129, illus.)
PRESTON, ONT., Carnegie Library, 1909; closed in 1973 and converted to commercial use; still standing in 2022 (C.R., xxiii, 28 July 1909, 24, t.c.; M. Beckman, The Best Gift, 1984, 172, illus.)
MITCHELL, ONT., Carnegie Library, St. Andrew Street at Quebec Street, 1909; still standing in 2022 (M. Beckman, The Best Gift, 1984, 72, 126, 146, 168, illus.)
HANOVER, ONT., Carnegie Library, 10th Avenue at 10th Street, 1910; still standing in 2022 (C.R., xxiv, 21 Sept. 1910, 28, t.c.; M. Beckman, The Best Gift, 1984, 72, 126, 128, illus.)
BEAVERTON, ONT., Carnegie Library, Simcoe Street at John Street, 1910; still standing in 2022 (M. Beckman, The Best Gift, 1984, 126, 184)
AYR, ONT., Carnegie Library, Stanley Street opposite Swan Street, 1910; library closed 2004 and converted to commercial offices; still standing in 2022 (M. Beckman, The Best Gift, 1984, 126, 184)

W.E. BINNING (Residential works)

LISTOWEL, ONT., major addition for residence for J.W. Scott, Bay Street, 1896 (C.R., vii, 20 Aug. 1896, 2)
ELMA TOWNSHIP, residence for James Dickson, 1898 (C.R., viii, 20 Jan. 1898, 2)
ELMA TOWNSHIP, residence for George Maybury, 1898 (C.R., viii, 20 Jan. 1898, 2)
MILVERTON, ONT., residence for Dr. Egbert, 1898 (C.R., ix, 16 March 1898, 2)
WIARTON, ONT., residence for J.P. Newman, 1899 (C.R., x, 1 March 1899, 2)
ELMA TOWNSHIP, residence for Thomas E. Shearer, 1900 (C.R., xi, 7 Feb. 1900, 3)
GODERICH, ONT., residence for Mrs. Catherine Rhynas, 1900 (C.R., xi, 7 Feb. 1900, 3)
BRUSSELS, ONT., residence for James Fox, 1900-01 (C.R., xi, 12 Dec. 1900, 2)
GREY TOWNSHIP, residence for John Spearin, 1900-01 (C.R., xi, 12 Dec. 1900, 2)
GREY TOWNSHIP, residence for T.C. Stevenson, 1900-01 (C.R., xi, 12 Dec. 1900, 2)
BRUSSELS, ONT., residence for John Leckie, 1901 (C.R., xii, 19 June 1901, 3, t.c.)
WINGHAM, ONT., residence for H. O'Bell, 1901 (C.R., xii, 19 June 1901, 3, t.c.)
WINGHAM, ONT., residence for John Ritchie, 1901 (C.R., xii, 19 June 1901, 3, t.c.)
KINCARDINE, ONT., residence for W.J. Bruce, Durham Street, 1905 (C.R., xv, 15 Feb. 1905, 5)
MOOSE JAW, SASK., residence for William J. Binning, Oxford Street West, 1911 (Moose Jaw b.p., 9 Sept. 1911)

W.E. BINNING (Commercial works)

LISTOWEL, ONT., new facade and major alterations for Imperial Bank, 1898-99 (C.R., ix, 30 Nov. 1898, 2)
GOWANSTOWN, ONT., hotel for A. Kress, 1899 (C.R., x, 22 Feb. 1899, 2, t.c.)
KINCARDINE, ONT., store, dwelling and stables for George D. Morrison, Queen Street, 1900-01 (C.R., xi, 23 Jan. 1901, 2, t.c.)
LISTOWEL, ONT., Mannell Hotel, for the Mannell Estate, 1905 (C.R., xvi, 17 May 1905, 2)
COBALT, ONT., Imperial Bank, 1910 (C.R., xxiv, 3 Aug. 1910, 25)
NEW LISKEARD, ONT., Imperial Bank, 1910 (C.R., xxiv, 3 Aug. 1910, 25)
MEDICINE HAT, ALTA., Becker Block, Main Street, for R.C. Becker, 1911 (Medicine Hat News, 10 May 1911, 1, descrip.; C.R., xxv, 17 May 1911, 61)
COCHRANE, ONT. Imperial Bank, 1913 (C.R., xxvii, 28 May 1913, 68)
TIMMINS, ONT., Imperial Bank, 1913 (The Nugget [North Bay], 16 Nov. 1928, 4, retrospective article from 1913, and reprinted in 1928)