02/23/2022
We are so happy to see Fleur De Sel (O’Keefe House) featured by the town of Placentia for Heritage Week!
Stay in a little piece of history!
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February 21-27, 2022 is Heritage Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Town of Placentia is celebrating Heritage Week by showcasing our heritage structures.
Fleur de Sel (O’Keefe House) was built circa 1885 by Patrick O’Keefe. The property is located at 12 O’Keefe Street, Townside, Placentia nestled between the Orcan River and the Atlantic Ocean. The house is a traditional Newfoundland two-storey wooden structure with a mansard roof, peak dormer windows, and narrow clapboard. The wood used in its construction was originally from Fish Store #7, owned by the Placentia merchants Saunders and Sweetman. The original wide pine boards in the walls are still in place. The bell is now shingled with western red cedar. Some other unique additions, complete the blend of new and old. The house is one of only a few still sitting where it was built on the beach – the foundation was never raised as many houses were. It is really a flower on the beach!
The historic value of the building was realized in the late 1990s by the Discover Placentia Foundation, led by Mr. John Whelan who started the journey to save the building. Renovations continued and were completed to Fleur de Sel by Mr. Anthony O’Neil and Mme. Marie Claire Bidaud.
Fleur de Sel was designated as a Municipal Heritage Structure in 2007. The current owners have ensured this rich history remains intact.