Coda-Leach House
Description
Alexander Wigle purchased this 1-acre property on July 12, 1884 from James H. Smart, Kingsville’s first village Reeve. The house, a 1½-storey Gothic Villa , was designed by Thomas Jenner. In 1915 Alexander remodelled the interior of the home, installing an English stairway, French doors, and adding a large, curved verandah which replaced the original square balcony and gave the home a lovely Queen Anne appearance. William Coda bought the property in 1942 and made many careful renovations to the house by matching the fieldstone foundation and outside brick to the original home. Since 1969, the property has been home to scientist Joseph Leach who was integral to the discovery of invasive Zebra Mussels in Lake Erie, and his wife Mary, dietician, restauranteur and school trustee. Both Mary and Joe have always been avid gardeners and great supporters of Kingsville’s Community events.
Key heritage attributes include:
Exterior brick and a cut fieldstone foundation
Large curved verandah with porch posts
Wide brick trim in gable, segmental arches and cross gable
Smooth-faced sills and an outside end chimney