17 Main Street, Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6AE

A mid-terraced single-bay two-storey rendered house built circa 1820 as part of a pair with No. 15 Main Street. Rectangular on plan with a gable-ended two-storey brick extension abutting the rear elevation, built circa 1980. The roof is pitched natural slate with black clay ridge tiles and a rebuilt brown brick chimneystack with terracotta pots. Cast-iron guttering on iron brackets and cast-iron downpipe serve the roof.

The front east elevation has painted rendered walling with a pair of square-headed window openings to each level on a shared concrete sill, fitted with replacement 6/6 timber sash windows with exposed sash boxes and concrete sills. A square-headed door opening contains a replacement timber panelled door opening onto a concrete step to the pavement. The south side elevation is abutted by No. 19, where a carriage arch reveals lime-washed rubblestone walling beneath. The north side elevation is abutted by adjoining building No. 15. The rear elevation features machine-made redbrick walling with timber casement windows, and is abutted by a gable-ended two-storey extension with a lean-to glazed porch.

The building forms part of a terrace of various dates and styles lining the west side of Main Street. A gravel rear yard is shared with Nos. 15 and 19.

The house has been substantially altered both externally and internally during the twentieth century. In 1974 it was described as having recently undergone unhappy window alterations. The house was listed in 1976. A red brick extension was added to the rear in the 1980s, with renovation work and further extensions carried out in 1990. Between 1986 and later removal, the ground floor was converted to a tea shop, with the dwelling on the first floor. The historic interior and rear elevation have been almost completely lost. Recent repainting has improved the front elevation appearance to match neighbouring properties.

Historically, the building appears on the 1833 Ordnance Survey map as a small building forming part of a terrace extending from No. 23 down Main Street. An early map circa 1800 shows that Nos. 13 to 19 Main Street were constructed between 1800 and 1833 on former wasteland. The Townland Valuation plan of circa 1834 depicted it as a small square building lacking out offices. The 1861 Griffith's Valuation recorded Thomas Scott, a retired merchant, as owner; he also owned the adjoining Nos. 15 and 19. Scott let No. 17 to John Whatley at £8 annual rent. The house was valued at £6 and classed as 1B, measuring five by seven yards with two storeys. Between 1864 and 1930 the house was occupied by numerous residents. Thomas Scott died on 17 November 1890, leaving Nos. 15, 17 and 19 Main Street with effects of £339. 15s. 6d. to Francis Scott. The 1901 Census recorded Edward Wilson, a local grocer aged 24, and his wife Frances aged 25, as occupants, with the Marquis of Downshire noted as landholder. By 1911 the house was occupied by Thomas Moore, an agricultural labourer aged 67, with his wife Sarah aged 72. Moore moved to No. 15 in 1913. In 1916 the house was revalued at £4 after purchase by David Donaldson. The last recorded occupant between 1911 and 1930 was Thomas Baxter Jnr in 1924.

Field inspection supports an early nineteenth-century date of construction, most likely contemporary with No. 15. Although the building contributes significantly to Hillsborough Conservation Area, substantial alteration has affected its special interest.