BROWNE, George William Richardson (1811-1885)
(biography in preparation)
(biog. and port., with list of works, in Jennifer McKendry, Architects Working in the Kingston Region 1820-1920, 2019, 17-19, illus.)
QUEBEC CITY
PALACE STREET, large house with stone front for an unnamed client, 1832 (Quebec Mercury, 28 Feb. 1832, 3, t.c.)
CAPE DIAMANT, residence for Dr. Thomas Fargues, 1832 (Quebec Mercury, 21 April 1832, 3, t.c.)
unnamed street, a tract of one hundred and eight frame houses, 1832 (Quebec Mercury, 16 Oct. 1832, 3, t.c.)
SILLERY, 'Benmore', residence for Sir Dominick Daly, St. Louis Road, 1834 (F.G. Pratte, Les Villas, 1980, 95-100, 163, 199-201, illus.; J. Wright, Architecture of the Picturesque in Canada, 1984, 120, illus.)
near Quebec City, a residence for Samuel Ussher '18 miles distant from Quebec', 1835 (Quebec Mercury, 19 Feb. 1835, 2, t.c.)
ST. FOY ROAD, a 'Gothic villa, two miles from Quebec' for an unidentified client, 1835 (Quebec Mercury, 21 Feb. 1835, 1, t.c.)
BEAUPORT ROAD, a villa for an unidentified client, 1835 (Quebec Mercury, 13 Oct. 1835, 1, t.c.)
SILLERY, 'Spencer Wood', major additions and alterations to a residence for the Governor General, St. Louis Road, 1852; burned 1860 (dwgs. at NAC, H3/350-Quebec-1852; J. Wright, Architecture of the Picturesque in Canada, 1984, 107-08, illus.)
PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, Cote de la Montagne, major addition and interior alterations of Council Wing, 1852; burned 1854 (Globe [Toronto], 20 March 1852, 1, with descrip. of furniture designed by Browne; Gazette [Montrea], 21 Aug. 1852, 2, descrip.; a large new cast iron balcony on the facade, designed by Browne, 1852, Gazette [Montrea], 7 Oct. 1852, 2, descrip.; L. Noppen et al, Quebec: trois siecles d'architecture, 1979, 265-6, illus.; L. Maitland, Neoclassical Architecture in Canada, 1984, 43, illus.)
KINGSTON
(attributed) CENTRE STREET, at Union Street, 'Otterburn', a villa for Smith Bartlett, 1841-44 (J. Wright, Architecture of the Picturesque in Canada, 1984, 72-3, illus.)
WILLIAM STREET, residence for the architect, 1841 (Kingston, Buildings of Architectural and Historic Significance, v, 1980, 294-5, illus.)
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, a conversion of the old hospital for temporary use as a Parliament House, 1841; demol. 1844 (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 27 Feb. 1841, 2; Canada, Sessional Papers, 1867, Report of the Dept. of Public Works, Appendix 8, 250, 256, descrip.)
KING STREET WEST, 'Alwington House', additions and rebuilding of residence for Lord Sydenham, Governor General of Canada, 1841; demol. 1959 (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 17 March 1841, 2; M. Angus, The Old Stones of Kingston, 1966, 92-4, illus.)
WILSON'S BUILDINGS, Brock Street at Quarry Street, a commercial block for William H. Wilson, 1841-42 (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 28 April 1841, 3, t.c.; 2 April 1842, 3, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural and Historic Significance, ii, 1973, 5-8, illus.)
STORE STREET, two houses for John Mowat, 1841 (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 26 May 1841, 3, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural and Historic Significance, ii, 1973, 136-8, illus.)
CLERGY STREET EAST, at Queen Street, manse for St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 1841-42 (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 30 June 1841, 3, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural and Historic Significance, i, 1971, 70-3, illus.; L. M. Angus, The Old Stones of Kingston, 1966, 56-7, illus.)
KING STREET WEST, at Centre Street, 'Hale's Cottages', a row of five houses for Charles Hale, 1841 (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 8 May 1841, 3, t.c.; J. Wright, Architecture of the Picturesque in Canada, 1984, 74, illus.)
KING STREET WEST, 'Rockwood Villa', residence for John S. Cartwright, 1841-42; and stables, 1842, but stables have now been demol. (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 24 July 1841, 3, t.c.; Gazette [Montreal], 8 Dec. 1857, 2, descrip.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural and Historic Significance, i, 1971, 100-04, illus.; L. Maitland, Neoclassical Architecture in Canada, 1984, 84, illus.; J. McKendry, Portsmouth Village Kingston - An Illustrated History, 2010, 56-8, illus. & descrip.)
FRONT STREET, at Store Street, three wholesale stores for Charles Hales, 1842 (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 5 Jan. 1842, 3, t.c.; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural and Historic Significance, i, 1971, 40-3, illus.)
KINGSTON CITY HALL & MARKET HALL, 1843-44, a commission won in an architectural competition against 12 other entries in July 1842, and built 1843-44; market burned 1865; and later rebuilt by Wlliam Coverdale; roof burned 1908; dome rebuilt by Joseph Power (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 31 Aug. 1842, 2; and 7 Dec. 1842, 3, t.c.; and 16 Dec. 1843, 2, descrip.; Montreal Gazette, 10 June 1843, 2; Kingston, Buildings of Architectural and Historic Significance, i, 1971, 3-9, illus.; J. Stewart & I. Wilson, Heritage Kingston, 1973, 134-44, illus. & descrip.; H. Kalman, History of Canadian Architecture, 1994, 177-8, Illus & descrip.; J. McKendry, Woodwork in Historic Buildings of the Kingston Region, 2018, 60-63, illus. & descrip.; dwgs. at NAC, H3/450)
(attributed) BANK OF MONTREAL, King Street at William Street, 1845 (Historic Kingston, xxvii, 1979, 68, 76; inf. J. Douglas Stewart, Kingston; unsigned dwgs. at Queen's University Archives, Kingston)
MONTREAL
(Residential Works)
ST. MARY STREET, near Voltigeurs Street, forty nine brick houses near St. Thomas Anglican Church, 1844 (ANQM, W. Easton, Notaire, 9 Sept. 1844, No. 402)
QUEBEC SUBURBS, a tract of sixty-two houses on the garden estate of Thomas Molson, 1844 (The Church [Toronto], 23 Aug. 1844, 29)
DECARIE BOULEVARD, near Brillon Avenue, major additions and alterations to 'Monklands', a residence for James Monk (now Villa Maria Convent), 1844 (Montreal, Les Couvents, 1984, 370-77, illus.; Les Residences, 1987, 525-7, illus.)
CHATEAU DE RAMEZAY, Notre Dame Street East, alterations and repairs, 1844-45 (Montreal, Les Residences, 1987, 568-75, illus.)
ILE STE. MARGUERITE, QUE., cottage for John Molson, 1845 (La Minerve [Montreal], 22 Sept. 1845, 3, t.c.; J. Wright, Architecture of the Picturesque in Canada, 1984, 121, illus.)
QUEBEC SUBURBS, a group of 12 houses for Thomas Molson, 1845 (Gazette [Montreal], `7 April 1845, 3, t.c.)
CRAIG STREET, two houses and shops, with cut stone fronts, and two brick houses on Fortification Lane, for an unidentified client, 1845 (Gazette [Montreal], 8 May 1845, 3, t.c.)
DORCHESTER STREET WEST, near St. Urbain Street, two houses for Donald McDonald, 1848 (ANQM, T.J. Pelton, Notaire, 28 Feb. 1848, No. 2849)
QUEEN MARY ROAD, 'Terra Nova', a residence for John Molson Jr., 1848; porter's lodge, 1851 (ANQM, J. Smith, Notaire, 15 July 1851, No. 346; Montreal, Les Residences, 1987, 516-17, illus.)
PLACE d'ARMES, at Notre Dame Street, reconstruction of a house for Francois A. Laroque, 1851 (ANQM, J. Belle, Notaire, 6 March 1851, No. 12071)
SHERBROOKE STREET WEST, at Aylmer Street, additional storey and alterations to residence for James Law, 1851; addition, 1861 (ANQM, J. Smith, Notaire, 15 July 1851, No. 347; J.C. Griffin, Notaire, 14 Oct. 1861, No. 20707)
BONAVENTURE STREET, at Mountain Street, row of eighteen houses for Hon. L. Drummond, 1852-54 (ANQM, J. Smith, Notaire, 19 May 1852, No. 949; Montreal Transcript, 29 Dec. 1853, 2, t.c.)
BEAVER HALL SQUARE, 'six or ten first class dwellings', for William Dow, 1853 (Montreal Transcript, 21 Sept. 1853, 2, t.c.)
HOSPITAL STREET, residence for Donald McDonald, 1854 (ANQM, W. Ross, Notaire, 2 Sept. 1854, No. 5519)
WELLINGTON TERRACE, Ste. Catherine Street West, a row of ten houses for the architect, 1855 (ANQM, J. Belle, Notaire, 18 May 1855, No. 14998)
MANSFIELD STREET, row of four houses for the architect, 1859 (ANQM. J. Belle, Notaire, 8 Oct. 1859, No. 18165)
(with John J. Browne) ST. CONSTANT STREET 'opposite the Jewish Synagogue', two houses for Charles E. Belle, 1865 (Montreal Herald, 21 Dec. 1865, 1)
(with John J. Browne) DUROCHER STREET, residence for Luke Moore, 1865 (Montreal Herald, 21 Dec. 1865, 1, descrip.)
(with John J. Browne) BLEURY STREET 'opposite the Jesuits New Church', residence for Robert Benn, 1865 (Montreal Herald, 21 Dec. 1865, 1)
(with John J. Browne) SHERBROOKE STREET WEST, at McTavish Street, residence for Jesse Joseph, 1865 (Montreal Herald, 21 Dec. 1865, 1)
(with John J. Browne) SHERBROOKE STREET WEST, at St. Urbain Street, a large villa and glass conservatory for Charles J. Brydges, 1865; addition in 1928 by Eugene St. Jean (Montreal Herald, 21 Dec. 1865, 1, descrip.; 22 March 1867, Supplement, 6; Gazette [Montreal], 2 Jan. 1929, 7, descrip.; Montreal, Les Residences, 1987, 433-4, illus.; inf. Scott Edwards)
BEAVER HALL SQUARE, extension and additional storey to residence for Alexander Clerk, 1870 (Montreal Herald, 28 Nov. 1870, 1)
ST. ANTOINE STREET, three houses for James Stevenson, 1870 (Montreal Herald, 28 Nov. 1870, 1)
SHERBROOKE STREET WEST, near Bleury Street, residence at 660 Sherbrooke Street West for Thomas W. Ritchie, 1873-74 (Gazette [Montreal], 6 Feb. 1875, 2, sale notice for two houses designed by George Browne)
SHERBROOKE STREET WEST, near Bleury Street, residence at 666 Sherbrooke Street West for Jacob Myer, 1873-74 (Gazette [Montreal], 6 Feb. 1875, 2, sale notice for two houses designed by George Browne)
MOULTON AVENUE, ten houses, each 3 storeys high, for an unnamed owner, 1875 (Evening Star [Montreal], 20 April 1875, 1, descrip.)
MANCE STREET, six houses, each 2 storeys high, with Mansard roofs, 1875 (Evening Star [Montreal], 20 April 1875, 1, descrip.)
UPPER ST. URBAIN STREET, five houses, for an unnamed owner, 1875 (Evening Star [Montreal], 20 April 1875, 1)
(Institutional & Ecclesiastical works)
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, renovations and alterations to St. Anne's Market Hall to create a Legislative Council Chamber and an Assembly Chamber, 1845; burned 1849 (Montreal Transcript, 12 April 1845, 2, t.c.; 24 April 1845, 2, t.c.; N. Bosworth, Hochelaga Depicta - Addenda, 1846, 15-16, descrip.)
COTE STREET, a racquet ball court, 1847 (Montreal Transcript, 24 July 1847, 3, t.c.)
POINTE-AUX-TREMBLES, QUE., Wesleyan Church, 1848 (ANQM, G. Platt, Notaire, 19 Aug. 1848, No. 29)
MONTREAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, annual exhibition held at 'St. Antoine Hall', the mansion of John Torrance, St. Antoine Street near Mountain Street, 1848. Browne provided designs for exhibits and pavilions, including a 30 foot high floral archway and entrance to the grounds (Gazette [Montreal], 15 Sept. 1848, 2, detailed descrip.)
BONSECOURS MARKET, St. Paul Street at Bonsecours Street, conversion of the West Wing into a City Hall for Council meetings, and completion of the East Wing as a public hall, Ball Room and Concert Room, 1851 (Montreal Transcript, 12 June 1851, 2, descrip.; 9 Sept. 1851, 2, descrip.; Gazette [Montreal], 10 Oct, 1851, 2, detailed descrip.; 26 Jan. 1852, 2, descrip.)
ST. ANN'S MARKET, reconstruction of the market building which was burned in April 1849 during the Montreal Riots (Montreal Transcript, 23 Aug. 1851, 2, t.c.; 9 Sept. 1851, 2, descrip.; Gazette [Montrea], 15 May 1852, 2)
ST. THOMAS CHURCH, rebuilding of the church, 1852 (Gazette [Montrea], 11 Sept. 1852, 2, t.c.)
MONTREAL HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS, Custom House Square, office building, 1853 (Montreal Transcript, 13 July 1853, 2, t.c.)
MERCHANTS EXCHANGE, St. Sacrement Street, 1853 (Gazette [Montreal], 16 Feb. 1853, 3, t.c.; Montreal Transcript, 1 Sept. 1853, 2)
HIGH SCHOOL, Beaver Hall Hill, 1853 (Montreal Transcript, 1 Sept. 1853, 2)
WESLEYAN CHURCH, Fortification Lane near St. Peter Street, major addition, 1854 (ANQM, W. Ross, Notaire, 12 April 1854, No. 5322)
BONSECOURS MARKET, addition of a portico facing St. Paul Street and a portico facing Commissioners Street, 1855 (Montreal Transcript, 18 Oct. 1855, 3, t.c.)
THOMAS MOLSON COLLEGE & SCHOOLS, at the rear of St. Thomas Anglican Church, St. Mary Street, 1857 (Montreal Transcript, 19 May 1857, 2, t.c.; 25 Aug. 1857, 2, t.c.)
MOUNT ROYAL CEMETERY, monument for Anna M. Browne, wife of the architect George Browne, 1859 (Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada Bulletin, xvi, Dec. 1991, 99, illus.)
MOULTON AVENUE, a large Ball Room building for the reception of the Prince of Wales, 1860 (Gazette [Montreal], 16 July 1860, 2; 13 Aug. 1860, 2, descrip.)
MOUNT ROYAL CEMETERY, mausoleum for the Molson family, 1863 (Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada Bulletin, xvi, Dec. 1991, 99, illus.; F. Remillard & B. Merrett, Montreal Architecture, 1990, 62, illus.)
(with John J. Browne) MERCHANT'S EXCHANGE, St. Sacrement Street, 1866 (Gazette [Montreal], 6 April 1866, 2; Montreal Herald, 22 March 1867, Supplement, 4, descrip.; Montreal, Les Hotels Les Immeubles de Bureaux, 79-81, illus.)
FREEMAN'S DINING HOUSE, St. James Street, 1877 (Gazette [Montreal], 22 Aug. 1877, 4, descrip.)
(Commercial and Industrial works)
OTTAWA HOTEL, St. James Street near McGill Street, 1845 (Montreal, Les Hotels Les Immeubles de Bureaux, 1983, 269-72, illus.)
COMMISSIONERS STREET, at St. Peter Street, row of six shops and five dwellings, for an unnamed client, 1846 (Montreal Gazette, 12 Jan. 1846, 3, t.c.)
CUSTOM HOUSE SQUARE, two shops with dwellings for an unnamed client, 1847 (Montreal Transcript, 20 Feb. 1847, 3, t.c.)
GREAT ST. JAMES STREET, rebuilding of facade of two shops for John Molson and occupied by G.J. Ascher, 1851 (ANQM, J. Belle, Notaire, 2 May 1851, No. 12115)
NOTRE DAME STREET, new facade and additions to shop for Thomas Jenkins, 1852 (ANQM, W. Ross, Notaire, 20 March 1852, No. 3900)
ST. LAURENT BOULEVARD, near Dorchester Street, two shops and dwelling for G.D. Watson, 1852 (ANQM, J.S. Hunter, Notaire, 24 Aug. 1852, No. 53)
ST. PAUL STREET, warehouse for Hon. Charles Wilson backing onto Capital Street, 1853 (ANQM, J.H. Issacson, Notaire, 5 April 1853, No. 2628)
CHAMPLAIN & ST. LAWRENCE RAILROAD CO., Commissioners Street at Capital Street, office block, 1853 (Montreal Transcript, 23 June 1853, 2, t.c.)
THOMAS & WILLIAM MOLSON CO., Commissioners Street at St. Peter Street, brewery, 1853; alterations and improvements, 1857 (Montreal Transcript, 2 July 1853, 2, t.c.; dwgs. at Canadian Centre for Architecture, DR 1981 037-007)
ST. SACREMENT STREET, warehouse opposite the Merchants's Exchange for Joseph Knapp, 1854 (ANQM, W. Ross, Notaire, 2 Sept. 1854, No. 5528)
MONTREAL TELEGRAPH CO., St. Sacrement Street, office block, 1854 (Montreal, Les Hotels Les Immeubles de Bureaux, 1983, 97-9, illus.)
A. URQUHART & CO., St. Peter Street opposite St. Sacrement Street, 1855 (Montreal, Les Magasins Les Cinemas, 1985, 142-3, illus.)
GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY OFFICES, Great St. James Street, a conversion of 3 private houses into retail stores and offices, for John Molson, 1857 (Montreal Herald, 14 July 1857, 1, detailed architectural descrip.)
LAW, YOUNG & CO., Wellington Street at Queen Street, warehouse,1862 (ANQM, J.C. Griffin, Notaire, 29 March 1862, No. 21387; Montreal, Les Magasins Les Cinemas, 1985, 316-17, illus.)
(with John J. Browne) MOLSON'S BANK, St. James Street at St. Peter Street, 1864-65; interior alterations, 1874; altered 1900 by Taylor & Gordon (Montreal Herald, 2 May 1864, 1, t.c.; 3 Aug. 1864, 2, illus. & descrip.; 21 Dec. 1865, 1, descrip.; Gazette [Montreal], 25 Dec. 1865, Illustrated Supplement, 16, illus. & descrip.; Montreal Herald, 7 April 1874, 1, descrip.; S. Wagg, Money Matters: A Critical Look at Bank Architecture, 1990, 60-1; 125-7, illus.)
(with John J. Browne) JOHN H.R. MOLSON & BROTHERS, Bonaventure Street, warehouse and offices, 1865 (Montreal Herald, 21 Dec. 1865, 1, descrip.)
(with John J. Browne) MECHANIC'S BANK, St. James Street, a conversion of the former Molson's Bank, with additions for brokers office, 1867 (Montreal Herald, 22 March 1867, Supplement, 4)
(with John J. Browne) NOTRE DAME STREET, three stores on the site of buildings formerly owned by Thomas Jenkins and the offices of the Montreal Herald, 1867 (Montreal Herald, 22 March 1867, Supplement, 7)
VICTORIA STREET, two warehouses for Alex Molson, 1868 (ANQM, J. Smith, Notaire, 25 June 1868, No. 19062)
MORLAND, WATSON & CO., St. Paul Street, additional storey and improvements, 1870 (Montreal Herald, 28 Nov. 1870, 1)
FROTHINGHAM & WORKMAN CO., St. Paul Street opposite Place Royale, 1871 (Montreal, Les Magasins Les Cinemas, 1985, 35-7, illus.)
MERCANTILE OFFICES, Peter Street, addition and alterations, 1875 (Evening Star [Montreal], 20 April 1875, 1)
ELSEWHERE
GANANOQUE, ONT., a villa for an unnamed client, 1841 (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 24 July 1841, 3, t.c.)
BATH, ONT., additions and alterations to the Anglican Church, 1842 (Chronicle & Gazette [Kingston], 2 July 1842, 2, t.c.; J. McKendry, Woodwork in Historic Buildings of the Kingston Region, 2018, 66, illus. & descrip.)
L'ASSOMPTION, QUE., bridge over the l'Assomption River, 1849-50 (La Minerve [Montreal], 10 Sept. 1849, 3, t.c.; Gazette [Montreal], 23 May 1851, 2, descrip.; Montreal Transcript, 27 May 1851, 2, descrip.)
HUNTINGDON, QUE., the Academy, 1851 (Montreal Transcript, 27 Feb. 1851, 3, t.c.)
ST. LAMBERT, QUE., railway station, engine house, machine shop, boiler house and blacksmith's shop, for the Champlain & St. Lawrence Railroad, 1851 (ANQM, Isaac Gibb, notaire, 17 July 1851, No. 13105; Montreal Transcript, 7 Oct. 1851, 2, t.c.; inf. Yves Guillet, St. Lambert)
ST LAMBERT, QUE., ten houses for the Champlain & St. Lawrence Railroad, 1851 (ANQM, Isaac Gibb, notaire, 25 Nov. 1851, No. 13403; inf. Yves Guillet, St. Lambert)
OTTAWA, ONT., a block for four shops and dwelling houses, for John Inglis, 1852 (Ottawa Citizen, 19 June 1852, 3, t.c.)
TROIS RIVIERES, QUE., major addition to the Steam Boat Hotel, 1853 (Montreal Transcript, 17 June 1853, 2, t.c.)
SHERBROOKE, QUE., High School, 1853 (Montreal Transcript, 7 Sept. 1853, 2, t.c.)
ACTON MINES, QUE., a country villa 'in the English style' for an unidentified client, c. 1860 (Montreal Herald, 5 Jan. 1863, 3, advert. for auction sale)
LONDON, ONT., Molson's Bank, Dundas Street near Market Lane, 1873 (Free Press [London], 4 July 1873, 3, descrip.)
COMPETITIONS
MONTREAL, QUE., Arts Building, McGill University, 1839. Browne was one of several architects to submit plans but the First Prize was awarded to John Ostell (McGill University Archives, Acc. 447, Item 51, 1839)
QUEENSTON, ONT., Brock's Monument, 1843. Both George and his brother Goodlatte R. Browne were among thirty-five competitors from Canada and the United States who submitted designs for this commemorative monument (OA, MU 296, Design No. 13). The proposal from Browne was passed over in favour of that by Thomas Young of Toronto who was declared the winner.
MONTREAL, QUE., Bonsecours Market, 1844. The City Council awarded Browne the Second Premium for his design which was one of eleven submitted. The commission was awarded to William Footner (Montreal Transcript, 30 April 1844, 2; 9 May 1844, 2). Comments on the design by Browne appeared in a Letter to the Editor signed 'Truth', in the Montreal Transcript, 11 April 1844, 2.
MONTREAL, QUE., Court House, Notre Dame Street, 1850. In a repetition of earlier events in 1839, both Browne and John Ostell competed directly against one another for this civic commission, and again Ostell (working with H.M. Perrault) was declared the winner, with Browne being awarded Second Prize (Montreal Transcript, 22 Aug. 1850, 2). Browne later invited the public to view his losing design, in order to gain support for his proposal (Gazette [Montreal], 9 Sept. 1850, 3, advert.). He later proposed to exhibit his plans side-by-side with those of the winning scheme, so that the public could compare the two designs (Gazette [Montreal], 12 Nov. 1850, 2), but apparently Ostell & Perrault were reluctant to participate in this event.
TORONTO, ONT., Normal School, Gould Street, 1850. Browne submitted a design "....in the Stuart style" which received the Second Prize of £50 [Gazette [Montreal], 2 Oct. 1850,, 2, descrip.). However, the other competitors, including William Thomas, John Tully, Frederic Cumberland and Thomas Young, accused Browne of plagiarism. His scheme was alleged to be a copy of a 'Design in the Stuart Style' by Richard Brown and included in his book entitled Domestic Architecture published in London, England in 1842 (see letter of protest in the Minutes of the Canadian Institute, Toronto, 1849-63, Meeting for 7 Dec. 1850). The First Premium was eventually awarded to Cumberland & Ridout (Globe [Toronto], 28 Sept. 1850, 467)
QUEBEC CITY, QUE., Custom House, 1856. Browne was one of fourteen competitors from the United States and Canada who prepared schemes for this important federal building. William Thomas was declared the winner (NAC, RG 11, Vol. 90, File 3, 'Schedule of Competitors for the Proposed Quebec Custom House', 25 March 1856)
QUEBEC CITY, QUE., City Gaol, 1856. A call for entries for designs for a new jail in Quebec elicited many schemes, but the federal government took nearly four years to make a decision to award the First Premium to Robert C. Messer of Toronto. Browne protested and petitioned the Governor-General to seek the return of his drawings claiming that he deserved the first prize of £250 (NAC, RG11, Vol. 274, Item 52654, letter from Samuel Keefer, 27 April 1861)
HAMILTON, ONT., City Hall & Market Building, 1856-57. Browne was among fourteen architects from the United States and Canada who sent in plans for this project, and he wrote to City Council to complain about the time allowed to prepare drawings (Globe [Toronto], 10 Dec. 1856, 2). His request may have been heeded, because the results were not announced until later in March 1857. His submission was not among the three finalists, and Frederick Kortum was declared as the winner.
MONTREAL, QUE., Molson's Bank, St. James Street at St. Peter Street, 1874-75. The father & son team of George & John J. Browne were one of several Canadian architects who prepared designs for this important Montreal landmark (see the Montreal Daily Star, 2 Nov. 1891, 6, Letter to the Editor from John. J. Browne). They were the winners of the competition.
MONTREAL, QUE., Drill Shed, Craig Street at German Street, 1867. The father & son team of George & John J. Browne were one of at least five architects from Montreal who submitted a design to Montreal City Council (Gazette [Montreal], 8 April 1867, 2, council debate). They received Second Prize for their effort. The winning scheme was submitted by Fowler & Roy, but this decision was later overturned.
FREDERICTON, N.B., Legislative Building, 1879. The architectural office of "G. and G. Brown (sic), of Montreal" were listed as one of fourteen competitors for this major public commission (American Architect & Building News [Boston], v, 5 April 1879, 109). Presumably this was George Browne and his son George C. Browne, and it may have been the last competition which Browne Sr. participated in before his death in 1885.