By Cecilia Nasmith
The Town of Cobourg has a number of street names with historical significance, as well as an inventory of significant names that can be drawn upon for future street names.
At council's committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday, councillors were delighted to add Jackson to the inventory in honour of Reuben Jackson.
The request came from the Cobourg and District Historical Society, which sent a letter outlining the reasons for the move.
A prominent Cobourg citizen for 48 years, he built many fine houses downtown between 1908 and 1940. This includes 60 in a style known informally as Jackson Houses.
“They gained popularity because they were affordable high-quality houses that demonstrated excellent workmanship,” the letter said.
“Consequently they have endured over time; thus, their owners are very proud to live in a 'Jackson.'
“By definition, a Jackson House is a specific style that was only built in Cobourg and only by Reuben Jackson.”
Jackson homes have long been a major part of the architecture of the Cobourg community, Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin said.
“I think it's wonderful to add Reuben Jackson to the list of names,” Councillor Emily Chorley declared.
“It's just my hope that the name could be added to a neighbourhood, ideally, where he built his homes rather than a new road which doesn't have any connection to the historic events he is associated with.”
