History & Heritage

Isaac Wiser Home

741 King Street West, Prescott, ON

Heritage Attributes

This property is part of the Wiser properties which represent a significant legacy of Prescott's Historical and Architectural Heritage. It also shows the evolution and changes in lifestyle and design of riverfront and town properties in the Town of Prescott. 

The Isaac Wiser home was the first of three wedding gifts to his children built by J.P. Wiser. The property was granted by John to his son Isaac in 1892. Its interior was decorated with extensive woodwork, in the front hall, staircase, and dining room. The fireplace surround in the front hall is distinctly English in carving and detail and is representative of much of the work found in Rushton Hall. 

Isaac Philip Wiser was Mayor of Prescott in 198 and 1919. The property was purchased by MP Arza Clair Casselman, party whip for 35 years from the R.B. Bennett Government and Jean Casselman was elected to the seat of Grenville-Dundas in 1958. This house was a popular entertainment centre for MPs, Senators, Prime Ministers, and Governor Generals for over 70 years. 

The cross-gable house in the Queen Anne Revival tradition is characterized by its elaborate interplay of gables, roof forms, prominently chimneys, finish materials, window sizes and types; and interior millwork. The composition is typical of the style with its irregular elevations, prominent chimney stacks and projecting round gallery. Features essential to the design include the differentiation of the level of the building through finish materials and through prominent horizontal banding. Texture and colour are emphasized, through the choice of shaped and coloured wood shingles and decorative brickwork. 

The interior boasts sumptuous woodwork and fine hardware. The principal rooms are differentiated from each other by distinctive wood species, profiles and designed, and by fireplace surrounds of different types and materials. The level of detail and finish changes from storey to storey with no diminishment of quality.

Together with the properties located at 763 and 724 King Street west, there is a strong historical, architectural, and contextual (environmental) value that should be protected.

Property Information

Legal Description

Plan 19, Block 3, Lots 41 and Lot 43 and 44 and Part Lot 42 RP 15R0122 Part 1

Designating By-Law