A merchant by the name of Peter Perry is credited with developing Whitby’s downtown neighbourhood. Perry operated a general store at the corner of Brock and Dundas Streets where a commemorative plaque now stands. The plaque reads: “On this site, Peter Perry (1792- 1851) built a general store in 1836, establishing Downtown Whitby…” In 1846 Perry submitted a plan of subdivision for downtown Whitby that became known as Perry’s Plan. By mid-century residential development was underway consisting of stately Victorian and Regency Style homes that reflected the affluence of the merchants who operated businesses in Whitby during this period. Asa Werden a prominent farmer, businessman and political figure is also credited with developing the downtown Whitby neighbourhood with Werden’s Plan of subdivision registered in 1854. Most of the houses in downtown Whitby were built in the mid to late 1800s and early 1900s when Whitby was at the height of its prosperity.