William Blackwell

William Blackwell (July 24, 1850 – December 30, 1937) was a Canadian architect active in Peterborough, Ontario, for over 40 years. He was among the first architects to use the Romanesque Revival style in Ontario.

Early life and education Blackwell was born in Douro Township, in a house that is now 1066 Armour Road in Peterborough, Ontario. His father, James Blackwell, emigrated from England in 1815 and initially settled in Ops Township before moving to Douro. His mother, Frances Reid, was the daughter of Robert Reid, one of the original settlers of Douro Township.

Blackwell articled with his cousin, Toronto architect Walter Strickland, then worked in Winnipeg and New York City before setting up his practice in Peterborough in 1880. He oversaw repairs to the County Court House after it was damaged by the Quaker Oats factory fire in 1916.

Blackwell died in Peterborough on December 30, 1937. His wife, Maude Annie Hales, who he married in 1884, remained in the house he designed on Benson Avenue until her own death in 1952.

Notable works Nicholls Hospital, Peterborough, Ontario, 1888 (demolished 1981) Harstone House, Peterborough, Ontario, 1888 Academy Theatre, Lindsay, Ontario, 1893 Young Men's Christian Association, Peterborough, Ontario, 1896 Young Women's Christian Association, Peterborough, Ontario, 1904–05 (destroyed by fire 1996) King Edward Public School, Peterborough, Ontario, 1906 (demolished 2005) King George Public School, Peterborough, Ontario, 1913 Queen Mary Public School, Peterborough, Ontario, 1913 Bonner Worth Mill Administration Building, Peterborough, Ontario, 1919–20

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