tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36786063432119467442024-02-29T21:39:58.846-08:00History of the Town of MimicoInteresting Historical Information On The Former Town of Mimico (now part of the City of Toronto)Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-80675831389461586222021-03-30T05:53:00.001-07:002021-03-30T05:53:15.903-07:00History of the Town of Mimico<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Town of Mimico began as a Police Village in 1905 when it requested, and was granted powers that enabled it to gain some </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">independence</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span> from the more rural Township of Etobicoke. Under the terms of the bylaw passed by York County Council on January 27, 1905, Mimico was able to elect three trustees who were empowered to set local taxes in support of local services. By 1910 Mimico had a population of almost 800 and the citizens petitioned York County Council requesting that Mimico become a fully independent Village. The request was granted and Mimico became an </span>independent<span> Village on January 1, 1911. It was now completely independent and able to elect its own political representatives and manage its own affairs. The community continued to grow and in May 1917 the province of Ontario made Mimico a Town. It would remain an independent municipality until 1967 when it was forced to amalgamate with Borough of Etobicoke. In 1997 it became part of the City of Toronto. </span></span></p><div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The boundaries of the Town were as follows: a line running north from Lake Ontario up Dwight Avenue, over the railway tracks and along St. George Street up to Evans Avenue on the west; easterly along Evans Avenue to Church Street (present day Royal York Road) then along Algoma Street to Grand Avenue then north one block and along Manitoba Street on the north; Mimico Creek at the north east corner then westerly along the railway track to a line extending south to the end of Victoria Avenue (which was originally a short distance east of Louisa Street), across the Lake Shore Road to Lake Ontario on the east; and, Lake Ontario on the south.</span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span">There are two published histories of the Town of Mimico already known. The first was </span><i>The Story of Mimico: Home of the Wild Pigeon, </i><span class="Apple-style-span">written by Edwin Eland and published in 1935. The second was </span><i><a href="https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMDC-184636&R=DC-184636" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Mimico Story</span>,</span></a> </i><span class="Apple-style-span">written by Harvey Currell and published by the Mimico Library Board in 1967. I hope to provide interesting </span>supplementary material to these two original publications.<span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Do you have any photos or documents on the history of Mimico? Are you interested in keeping up to date on heritage issues in Mimico by being added to the heritage email list? If so please contact me at mimicohistory at hotmail.com.<b> </b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><b>All information and photographs on this site are copyrighted and may not be used without my permission unless otherwise noted. </b></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><b>© Copyright Michael Harrison 2011. All rights reserved. (originally posted January 12, 2011)</b></span></span> </p>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-78526765196029606252021-03-30T05:52:00.387-07:002022-02-08T03:12:29.222-08:00William H. Shaw House - 34 Lake Crescent <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vlLOchb9x7m09dn0FkihcQ59EBkfnwstn-oeKMCwkWg5-OIx40D7alaLzcEuFXqAAiopSA6lhYuRd4rNvFQEhSO8FnW4FtnEZ4pxZlZw39Z0tk-RFXS9qxk2C9sQ7qliSV2Gby6U2PGl/s624/34+Lake+Crescent.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="565" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vlLOchb9x7m09dn0FkihcQ59EBkfnwstn-oeKMCwkWg5-OIx40D7alaLzcEuFXqAAiopSA6lhYuRd4rNvFQEhSO8FnW4FtnEZ4pxZlZw39Z0tk-RFXS9qxk2C9sQ7qliSV2Gby6U2PGl/w363-h400/34+Lake+Crescent.JPG" width="363" /></a></div><span><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">34 Lake Crescent</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/32+Lake+Crescent,+Etobicoke,+ON+M8V+1V8/@43.6072352,-79.4923511,3a,37.5y,347.98h,100.34t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5dBO4f9_UVvQpNp2bgZVRA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b49e0b20ecd93:0xebf8e22e25de38d4!8m2!3d43.6074177!4d-79.4922085" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Google Streetview</span></a>)</span></div><p style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Built for William H. Shaw in 1934 this house is so large it had to be sited on the lot sideways. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">William Henry Shaw was born on February 3, 1893 in Oro Township, Simcoe County to Albert Henry Shaw, a farmer and his wife Maggie Febe Crook.</span></p><p style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In the <span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/ViewFrame.jsp?id=103277&highlight=22" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1901</span></a> </span>and <span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/SplitView.jsp?id=46327" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1911</span></a> </span>census William was living on the farm with his family in Oro Township.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He attended Orillia Collegiate Institute and then enrolled at the University of Toronto, University College in 1914. It must have been a difficult year for him as two of his sisters died of diphtheria within days of each other. Lila died on November 25 at the age of seven years and two months, and Violet died on December 1 at the age of two years and eight months. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Back at university Shaw seems to have taken a year off in 1918 and didn't graduate with a Bachelor of Arts until </span><a href="https://archive.org/details/register1920uoft/page/75/mode/1up?q=shaw" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1919</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. (Did he take a year off school because of the 1918 pandemic?) Upon graduation he seems to have immediately found a job with</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Canadian Industries Limited (CIL) (a subsidiary of du Pont), working as a chemist at their research facility in Beloeil, Quebec. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On October 15, 1919 William Shaw returned to Ontario to marry Virginia Taylor at the <a href="http://stjamesps.com/about-us/brief-history/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Methodist Church</span></a> in Parry Sound. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQNhyphenhyphenDa0dJfXZtAobJoDcGwJf8ncJGcW7GTz1cBwUYrl__g1zFdhSUVkr3nk78sDYUmnRzsQ3KJXlWBGBZ0jdVj6C8MBFqypArCjB-3yD8f2YBbIfyxIhv-36eJ7h0lSVGkWzfi8AOtMg/s592/Shaw+Taylor+Wedding+-+part+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="342" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQNhyphenhyphenDa0dJfXZtAobJoDcGwJf8ncJGcW7GTz1cBwUYrl__g1zFdhSUVkr3nk78sDYUmnRzsQ3KJXlWBGBZ0jdVj6C8MBFqypArCjB-3yD8f2YBbIfyxIhv-36eJ7h0lSVGkWzfi8AOtMg/w370-h640/Shaw+Taylor+Wedding+-+part+1.JPG" width="370" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf868pS5_uKw1AbFSFxohjW_hqKwgZQnEmaco-bOrpp8EINFY9ps2zY5opxYXjeV4tBryGRlLzfyo1S6-0gxQw6apCqdeKO8zbS42UF5KO81lH4t25EyxuPT2FVT-4BByaDiyCNq6SpeH/s436/Shaw+Taylor+Wedding+-+part+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="335" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJf868pS5_uKw1AbFSFxohjW_hqKwgZQnEmaco-bOrpp8EINFY9ps2zY5opxYXjeV4tBryGRlLzfyo1S6-0gxQw6apCqdeKO8zbS42UF5KO81lH4t25EyxuPT2FVT-4BByaDiyCNq6SpeH/w308-h400/Shaw+Taylor+Wedding+-+part+2.JPG" width="308" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBU9ZWCC3Q4W1rsS8b8Zjhe31Y7-8qwFh-bu1G3Rd4pfSN56GDkGF6qqsAW57iLyVWc_65dBwlfM8ZK9-ClDPH6SCG2LSO9F2If02CIcNJOXpbPprGP_Xn4ZL0KMAR1D5Li-ETev1zCoN/s343/Shaw+Taylor+Wedding+-+part+3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="343" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBU9ZWCC3Q4W1rsS8b8Zjhe31Y7-8qwFh-bu1G3Rd4pfSN56GDkGF6qqsAW57iLyVWc_65dBwlfM8ZK9-ClDPH6SCG2LSO9F2If02CIcNJOXpbPprGP_Xn4ZL0KMAR1D5Li-ETev1zCoN/w400-h305/Shaw+Taylor+Wedding+-+part+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Parry Sound North Star</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">October 16, 1919</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By 1921 the Shaws had moved to Mimico living at 45 Church Street (present-day Royal York Road) and William was working at the CIL plant nearby in New Toronto.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJnCKeC9sOnI7MlufUNFaZVTwJ7lJoAxKTTa4ZpM5u43jla0RZ_qsEUkGG7bs78VZrG1TiLybpJwEPXpiBIMLMy43nespTu6ZxVeooNoaH7EhR93zC4q87w4pcF85vyZlntGh-uno43kJ/s1037/CIL+-+1963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="1037" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJnCKeC9sOnI7MlufUNFaZVTwJ7lJoAxKTTa4ZpM5u43jla0RZ_qsEUkGG7bs78VZrG1TiLybpJwEPXpiBIMLMy43nespTu6ZxVeooNoaH7EhR93zC4q87w4pcF85vyZlntGh-uno43kJ/w400-h205/CIL+-+1963.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span><br /><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Canadian Industries Limited, New Toronto 1963</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Celebrating Our Golden Jubilee - New Toronto and New Toronto Hydro - 50 Years of Industrial Progress 1913-1963</span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">William and Virginia Shaw bought the house from John A Scott and John W Gibson (who built the house in 1919) on June 30, 1920 for $5,500. John A Scott, Builder of the Town of Mimico, took back a mortgage of $1,075 which was discharged by Shaw on November 26, 1924. The Shaws retained ownership of the house even after they moved to their new house on Lake Crescent. It was not till February 3, 1945 that they sold it to Robert Frizell and his wife Ella Mae. The Shaws took back a mortgage of $3,500 which Robert Frizell paid off on November 5, 1948.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Living on the edge of the <a href="https://mimicohistory.blogspot.com/2011/12/crescent-point-subdivision-1910.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Crescent Point</span></a> subdivision they no doubt were familiar with the area with its curved streets and grassy boulevards and noticed a certain vacant lot on Lake Crescent next to the impressive <a href="https://mimicohistory.blogspot.com/2021/03/frederick-p-toms-house-32-lake-crescent.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Fred P Toms House</span></a>. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">William and Virginia Shaw bought the vacant lot (Lot 103, Plan M76) where they would build this magnificent house, from Annie and Mary Ollman on September 15, 1928 for $2,000. The Ollman sisters took back a mortgage of $1,500 which Shaw would pay off on July 12, 1939. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shaws engaged</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/1530" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Horwood & White, Architects</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">to design their new Mimico home. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">John Charles Batstone Horwood was one of the premier architects in Toronto at this time and his designs grace many of Toronto's most prominent neighbourhoods. Horwood lived in Toronto but had a <a href="https://mimicoestates.blogspot.com/2011/02/horwood-estate.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">summer estate</span></a> on the Mimico waterfront.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As can be seen from the architectural plans preserved in the <a href="http://ao.minisisinc.com/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/ARCH_DESC_FACT/FACTSDESC/REFD%2BC%2B11?SESSIONSEARCH" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Horwood Collection</span></a> at the Archives of Ontario, the architects designed a spacious and exquisite six bedroom house. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From the outside it is a flawless beautiful box. The house was built with red brick accented by quoins on all four corners, with a cornice and dentils wrapping around the entire building. The roof is pierced by dormers to provide light to the bedrooms on the upper floor. The south facing facade of the main floor features a large bay window (with dentils above to reflect the dentils the wrap around the building on the second floor) to provide amble light to the living room. It is balanced by a covered verandah and balcony on the north side of the house. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As noted above, due to the narrowness of the lot the house is sited sideways. The main entrance is on the east side. The main facade is asymmetrical with one bay of windows on the south side of the entrance and two on the north. A dual stairway with a wrought iron banister topped with bronze finials leads to the front door framed by pilasters and topped by a pediment. The six paneled door is topped by a rectangular leaded window covered by a decorative wrought iron screen. The well executed and artful exterior was only a hint of the beauty inside.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the Shaws walked into their new house in late 1935 (they first appear living here in the </span><a href="https://archive.org/details/torontocitydirectory1936/page/275/mode/1up" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1936 </span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Toronto City Directory for which the information was gathered in late 1935) they would have stepped through the front door into a black travertine marble-floored vestibule and then into the stair hall. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Once inside they would have cast their eyes on the </span><span style="font-size: large;">paneled</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> staircase which projects from </span>the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> basement to the upper floor and provides organization to the house. On the first floor they would have seen a large living room, with a fireplace, on the south side balanced by a dining room, kitchen and pantry on the north side. Built in closets were provided adjacent to the main entrance for coats as well as the rear entrance. They would have admired the Sienna marble fireplace surround with bronze edging under a wooden mantle in the living room. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Proceeding down the stairs to the basement the Shaws would have seen the large games room, laundry, fruit cellar, toilet and boiler room with adjacent coal room (indicating that this house was originally heated with coal). They would have noticed that the architect even tucked the gas and water meters in a niche on the front facade wall.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Climbing the stairs to the second floor the family would have seen the den opposite the stairs. Stepping inside they would have seen the fireplace with built-in book shelves and cupboards on either side. They would have noticed that the fireplace surround was identical to the one in the living room with Sienna marble surround and bronze edging. On the south of the staircase Mr and Mrs Shaw would have walked into their spacious master bedroom with adjacent dressing room complete with built-in wardrobes next to their ensuite bathroom. On the north side of the staircase, on the balance of the floor, they would have seen two more bedrooms, also with built-in closets, for the children. They would have noticed that one of them had access to a balcony over the porch on the north side. Adjacent to the two bedrooms they would have noticed the additional bathroom for the children.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Climbing the stairs up to the third floor they would have seen three additional bedrooms, all with built-in closets, as well as a storage room, and adjacent full bathroom on the same floor.</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 1934, the same year the house was under construction, William Shaw <a href="https://books.google.ca/books?id=8jJ_FAHCMTsC&pg=PA205&lpg=PA205&dq=%22william+h+shaw%22+mimico&source=bl&ots=JkN6OkFeJf&sig=ACfU3U3a1NoeXu2L3RqY7hYJ1hBt1Wg3eQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiOja20kafvAhUCU98KHR3DCXUQ6AEwAnoECAMQAw#v=onepage&q=%22william%20h%20shaw%22%20mimico&f=false" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">filed </span></a>a US patent for a paper container, which both he and his co-designer John J. Moriarity assigned to du Pont Corporation. He filed a second <a href="https://books.google.ca/books?id=TykYonsq0wwC&pg=RA3-PA656&lpg=RA3-PA656&dq=%22william+henry+shaw%22+mimico&source=bl&ots=9UBLySZISR&sig=ACfU3U11XABUjTy4ca_ODDAn4j1xpatb0w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwic9vri5qjvAhURI6wKHfqSB2sQ6AEwDXoECBIQAw#v=onepage&q=%22william%20henry%20shaw%22%20mimico&f=false" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">patent</span></a> in 1936 for a tobacco pouch, looking strikingly similar to the paper container, and also assigned it to du Pont Corporation.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>The Shaws would live in the house for the rest of their lives. William Shaw died in </span><a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98561192/william-h-shaw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1979</span></a><span> and his wife Virginia Taylor died in </span><a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98561254/virginia-shaw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1991</span></a><span>. They are buried together at <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2350313/saint-mark's-anglican-cemetery" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Saint Mark's Anglican Cemetery </span></a>in Oro, Ontario with other members of the Shaw family.</span></span></p></span><p></p>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-33356389544297278212021-03-16T05:59:00.009-07:002022-05-14T10:44:30.350-07:00Frederick P. Toms House - 32 Lake Crescent<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPLEMr_4Xk2WVJSokFYPmREdPf94gmeUExe5JgAVxrnjuDL3IYUe3-Nt_jawqtbqZMqPZy0wQfirwu3Otf1YJiwMq6Zp7Jr6Asoph_Bvrsvq9hZQo0SH7Zpvlm0ze7UUXjYNnpyZLeQI8/s618/32+Lake+Cres.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="618" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPLEMr_4Xk2WVJSokFYPmREdPf94gmeUExe5JgAVxrnjuDL3IYUe3-Nt_jawqtbqZMqPZy0wQfirwu3Otf1YJiwMq6Zp7Jr6Asoph_Bvrsvq9hZQo0SH7Zpvlm0ze7UUXjYNnpyZLeQI8/w400-h315/32+Lake+Cres.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">32 Lake Crescent</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/32+Lake+Crescent,+Etobicoke,+ON+M8V+1V8/@43.6071686,-79.4921117,3a,25.8y,343.08h,96.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgpv9ZHY8vXBzLXD9jud_xA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b49e0b20ecd93:0xebf8e22e25de38d4!8m2!3d43.6074177!4d-79.4922085" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Google Streetview</span></a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This impressive house was built by Frederick Percival Toms in 1928 within the <a href="https://mimicohistory.blogspot.com/2011/12/crescent-point-subdivision-1910.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Crescent Point</span></a> subdivision launched in Mimico in 1910. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Born in Barrie Ontario on April 15, 1885 he was the son of Frederick Toms, a contractor and Minnie E. Reddie. His brother Charles Godfrey Toms was born on September 30, 1886 in London, Ontario. The two brothers would never marry and would be inseparable throughout their lives. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">In February 1895 their father, based in Ottawa, died in Victoria, British Columbia from pneumonia while there on business. He was only 45 years of age. His remains were transported back to Ottawa and buried in Beechwood Cemetery. Sometime later their widowed mother moved the family to Toronto and they can be found there in the <span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/ViewFrame.jsp?id=19998&highlight=41" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1901 census</span></a> </span><span>living at</span><span style="color: #ffa400;"> <a href="https://archive.org/details/torontodirec190100midiuoft/page/n859/mode/1up" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">60 Spencer Avenue</span></a> </span><span>in Parkdale</span><span style="color: #ffa400;">.</span> Fred was working as a clerk for Massey-Harris Co on King Street West.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Both brothers excelled in athletics when they were young. </span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZLVV4Gb9vaym9Gx5QVyoMkX1b6_WuxslGHzxY2itpzdUqzSohtjIqrRTp5NlS25wXXm-hUXVbOQ5d6mkGjIEiqL1xuoo2EfJ9kqLwFDML1YJKz4ZZ8dRNTIZVXlEvfX2ElNE28UDQoxa/s400/Charles+G+Toms%252C+Torontonensis+1908.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="248" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZLVV4Gb9vaym9Gx5QVyoMkX1b6_WuxslGHzxY2itpzdUqzSohtjIqrRTp5NlS25wXXm-hUXVbOQ5d6mkGjIEiqL1xuoo2EfJ9kqLwFDML1YJKz4ZZ8dRNTIZVXlEvfX2ElNE28UDQoxa/w248-h400/Charles+G+Toms%252C+Torontonensis+1908.JPG" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Charles Godfrey Toms</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">University of Toronto <span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://archive.org/details/torontonensis08univ/page/258/mode/1up?q=toms" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Torontonensis</span></a></span>, 1908</span></div></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Charles - "Chad" was his nickname at university - was on the <a href="https://archive.org/details/torontonensis07univuoft/page/377/mode/1up?q=toms" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">hockey</span></a> and <span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://archive.org/details/torontonensis1907univ/page/294/mode/1up?q=toms" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">rugby team</span></a>s</span>. He would play for the Argonauts and was captain of the hockey team in 1908 when he graduated with a degree in <span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://archive.org/details/torontonensis08univ/page/258/mode/1up?q=toms" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">civil engineering</span></a> </span>(Bachelors degree in Science).</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">That same year his older brother Fred, a member of the Argonaut Club, represented Canada at the 1908 Olympics in London, England and won a <a href="https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/36288" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">bronze medal</span></a> in rowing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>In the </span><a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/SplitView.jsp?id=83514" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1911 census</span></a><span> the family was still living together at </span><a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/place/56+Spencer+Ave,+Toronto,+ON+M6K+2J6/@43.6356293,-79.4299234,3a,26.7y,254.4h,100.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shIXAUaNImi3Ak_6bJ5Al2Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b35a8b98aba53:0x488f3148e0775638!8m2!3d43.6355646!4d-79.4301479" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">56 Spencer Avenue</span></a><span> in Parkdale but Fred was listed as the head of the family and not his mother suggesting that he was the main support for the family. Fred had moved on from being a clerk at Massey-Harris and was now selling cars and Charles was working as a civil engineer. Both indicated that they earned $1,800 in 1910. Given that their father had died I wonder if Fred worked in order to put his brother through university?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It was probably around this time, though the timing is uncertain, that Charles started his own civil engineering firm - Toms Contracting Company Ltd. Later his brother Fred would join him in the business. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The earliest reference I was able to find for the company was in late 1912 in a <a href="https://books.google.ca/books?id=-ds2AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA6-PA168&lpg=RA6-PA168&dq=%22toms+contracting+co%22&source=bl&ots=TITznNUQi2&sig=ACfU3U0s9DQybX7AkytHeozcydX_R6779w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjJmba0t7LvAhWJVs0KHVSGBrgQ6AEwAHoECAEQAw#v=onepage&q=toms&f=false" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">publication</span></a> of the University of Toronto Engineering Society. The publication references that Charles was the general manager and the business address given is the family home on Spencer Avenue.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Their mother died of a stroke on November 4, 1913 and was also buried at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa and it appears that the family dispersed at that time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By <a href="https://archive.org/details/torontocitydirectory1915/page/1509/mode/1up" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1915</span></a> the brothers were based at 15 Rusholme Road. Charles operated Toms Contracting Co. Ltd. from the home. The home also served as the headquarters of Fred's business the Automobile and Supply Co. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>In August 1918 Charles was drafted into the Canadian military and was placed in the Canadian Engineers division with the rank of Sapper. Given this late date he never went to Europe and was discharged from the military on November 28, 1918. However, his </span><a href="https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B9729-S039" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">military file</span></a><span> does contain some interesting information. It indicates that he broke his nose in 1907 and that surgery was required. I wonder if this happened during one of his sporting events? Either hockey or rugby?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In the 1921 census the two brothers were living <a href="https://archive.org/details/torontodirec192100midiuoft/page/1384/mode/1up" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">together</span></a> at <a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/place/47+Duggan+Ave,+Toronto,+ON+M4V+1Y1/@43.6933457,-79.3993716,3a,15.5y,143.68h,95.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sHtHDd5hJn_2nEmbgnQuv7Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b3343d985000b:0xbe02c8589e602b11!8m2!3d43.6931686!4d-79.3992126" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">47 Duggan Avenue</span></a> in Forest Hill. The census indicates that they were the owners of the house so their construction company must have been doing well.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Toms Contracting Co. Ltd. was well known in the industrial building community of Toronto and district in the early 20th century. While certainly not a comprehensive list I found references to the following projects the company worked on:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">1916 - Awarded the contract for additions to the Chevrolet Motor Co. plant in Oshawa, Ontario</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">1916 - Awarded the contract to build the factory for the Dominion Abrasive Wheel Co. Ltd. in Mimico at a cost of approximately $65,000</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">1917 - Awarded the contract to build a power house for the Provincial Government Department of Public Works at Jordan Harbour, Ontario</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">1919 - Awarded the contract to build the Mimico Creek bridge for the Toronto-Hamilton Highway (Highway #2) for the Toronto Hamilton Highway Commission </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">1922 - Awarded the contract for the J. R. Baxter Co. Ltd. factory in Brockville, Ontario at a cost of $50,000</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">1927 - Awarded the contract to construct a new paperboard mill for Dominion Envelope and Cartons Ltd. in the port lands on the Toronto waterfront on the west side of Cherry Street for a building "in the neighborhood of 700 feet in length".</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">1930 - Awarded the contract to build the new home for the Dominion Automobile Company at Bay and St Joseph's Streets, Toronto</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On April 19, 1928 Fred P Toms bought Lot 104, Plan M-328 on the north side of Lake Crescent from Florence Agnes Spencer of Stratford for $1,650. He must have started construction on the house shortly thereafter because almost a year later Toms mortgaged the property to Minnie Chadwick of Mimico for $9,000. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div><br /></div><div>Given the quality of the design of the house there must have been a talented architect behind it but their name is currently unknown. </div><div><br /></div><div>The brothers first appear at this address (then 10 Lake Crescent) in the <a href="https://archive.org/details/torontocitydirectory1931/page/1604/mode/1up" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1931 </span></a>Toronto City Directory suggesting that they were living in their new house by late 1930. They would live there for the next 17 years.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Charles died at home in March 1947 and his obituary appeared in the <i>Globe and Mail</i>. It did however contain a mistake. It was his brother Fred who was at the 1908 Olympic Games.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHRDMnsqVM4XDrAMWUae8U9ADGigQfLzuYDemrKs7Ii0nPxsnczcJxm2KUWpSgTAeJiyeOEem8HMr1I5MuTq2sDY1sBXxp6h4wR0c5n6_wHl6Dp5iWCweYBlsM3W-WNjA6LQ6htS0bH_H/s540/obit+of+Charles+G+Toms+-+Globe+and+Mail+March+18%252C+1947.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="263" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHRDMnsqVM4XDrAMWUae8U9ADGigQfLzuYDemrKs7Ii0nPxsnczcJxm2KUWpSgTAeJiyeOEem8HMr1I5MuTq2sDY1sBXxp6h4wR0c5n6_wHl6Dp5iWCweYBlsM3W-WNjA6LQ6htS0bH_H/w312-h640/obit+of+Charles+G+Toms+-+Globe+and+Mail+March+18%252C+1947.JPG" width="312" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Obituary of Charles G Toms</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Globe and Mail</i> - March 18, 1947</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span><span>On April 15, 1947, about a month after his brother's death Fred sold the house to Edwin Arthur Jarrett, Chartered Accountant of Mimico for $16,500</span>. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>Eventually, Fred P Toms moved to Newmarket, Ontario and died there on June 25, 1965. He was buried at Park Lawn Cemetery with his brother.</span></span></div><p></p>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-91598182780759923112021-03-15T05:30:00.010-07:002024-02-06T11:52:15.578-08:00John Mackenzie & Son Dairy Building - 78 Mimico Avenue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaV0SSOL9b0Q8geEOMh-1d5ogfWl06j47PWknWbd3-QpOMOFBFw4PVz4Svrab9_FZC09sg0EYo3msAsJhJL14qyGPj33x_Kc6Wnw14Hz2NnD8WFi2YYP5ejd_wKcFSaJQfhXmAV9MD35O/s629/78+Mimico+Avenue.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="622" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaV0SSOL9b0Q8geEOMh-1d5ogfWl06j47PWknWbd3-QpOMOFBFw4PVz4Svrab9_FZC09sg0EYo3msAsJhJL14qyGPj33x_Kc6Wnw14Hz2NnD8WFi2YYP5ejd_wKcFSaJQfhXmAV9MD35O/w395-h400/78+Mimico+Avenue.JPG" width="395" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">78 Mimico Avenue</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">(</span><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/78+Mimico+Ave,+Etobicoke,+ON+M8V+1R3/@43.6130747,-79.4929432,3a,75y,343.67h,89.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUMh43v1fK8uNybQY3RburA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b36201feeab65:0x6633284916572df4!8m2!3d43.6131315!4d-79.492951" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Google Streetview</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Though now boarded up and seemingly abandoned 78 Mimico Avenue was built circa 1920 and began life as an active and busy dairy founded by John Mackenzie and his son Percy, serving Mimico and the surrounding community as John Mackenzie and Son, Dairy. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Built on Part Lots 7 & 8, Plan 852, the dairy first appears in the Toronto City Directory in 1921 suggesting that it began operation in 1920 despite the 1919 date in the Story of Mimico (which also has a mistake in it indicating the founders were Wm Mackenzie and Sons).</span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtpgTn3rRd0T1OSkDTvVqHClgS2ytIHXi-WzmKG-90oRLL9d3v6zOdANJJvWApPGJOASBtwlbWA45O6UQB3aWhIAvC43BsewpHb_mWH6s7JVrGOVcAuPvJdr6WG-LVEqDRL8urP3sfzXT/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="641" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtpgTn3rRd0T1OSkDTvVqHClgS2ytIHXi-WzmKG-90oRLL9d3v6zOdANJJvWApPGJOASBtwlbWA45O6UQB3aWhIAvC43BsewpHb_mWH6s7JVrGOVcAuPvJdr6WG-LVEqDRL8urP3sfzXT/w400-h229/image.png" width="400" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVYm1PyUHX1dsCeRTs-8SI0-FZffeVy4w_Wn_O0cG7ENtmEpAJX6A0AG9KTv5RP5ThwpXEj283tfKlJbzJg5kcHyyAMl-JCuvgWTZQdfiENZHawVpIzW5W5wGpkjGO5_nQfvpvWgnAArC/" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="776" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVYm1PyUHX1dsCeRTs-8SI0-FZffeVy4w_Wn_O0cG7ENtmEpAJX6A0AG9KTv5RP5ThwpXEj283tfKlJbzJg5kcHyyAMl-JCuvgWTZQdfiENZHawVpIzW5W5wGpkjGO5_nQfvpvWgnAArC/w400-h69/image.png" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">source: The Story of Mimico by Edwin Eland, 1935</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In October 1930 Mackenzie sold the land to Samuel Oldham, Leonard Oldham and A.R. Munro. They sold it in June 1932 for $1 to the Hillside Dairy. This suggests that the Oldhams were the owners of Hillside Dairy, or this was in effect a merger. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The president of the Hillside Dairy was Robert Thomas Stillman who lived nearby at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/38+Hillside+Ave,+Etobicoke,+ON+M8V+1S6/@43.6111072,-79.4916253,3a,26.6y,348.29h,95.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz6gC_ftrrsdCuLjeN3Yf4g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b49e01772439d:0x8a664afcca6e2764!8m2!3d43.6112456!4d-79.4917004" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">38 Hillside Avenue</span></a>. He died in December 1943 and in December 1944 the dairy was sold to the Silverwood Dairy for $1, also suggesting a merger.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tBPmi94YlTFaX9kXGUzrS3rPB7OoDGDUoGRN3ecyO_kKZj_smrtPT_2zPM_W7xouiI8mZ6cecBwiyHQ-1cRllK_JokjM2VXolffeDldExQc2TNeOmTnBhtuY02ip7-0XBTesOEl63bYs/s755/1945+-+Dec+18+-+RT+Stillman+obit+-+Hillside+Dairy+-+Globe+and+Mail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tBPmi94YlTFaX9kXGUzrS3rPB7OoDGDUoGRN3ecyO_kKZj_smrtPT_2zPM_W7xouiI8mZ6cecBwiyHQ-1cRllK_JokjM2VXolffeDldExQc2TNeOmTnBhtuY02ip7-0XBTesOEl63bYs/w238-h640/1945+-+Dec+18+-+RT+Stillman+obit+-+Hillside+Dairy+-+Globe+and+Mail.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Globe and Mail December 18, 1943</div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Silverwood Dairy then operated at the site until December 1956 when it ceased operation and the property was sold to the Hogle family of Hogle Funeral Home across the street who appear to still own it today. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 1958 the building appears in the Toronto City Directory with four units inside it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Along with its neighbouring buildings to the west it presents a pleasing streetscape as all the buildings are built to the lot line and of uniform height. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update - January 18, 2024</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today the Toronto Preservation Board recommended designation of the property under the Ontario Heritage Act along with the properties at 80 and 86 Mimico Avenue. The recommendation will proceed to Toronto City Council for a decision. At the meeting a planner representing a developer that owns 78 and 80 indicated that they will be submitting a development application for this site in the second quarter of 2024. The city staff report on this item can be found <a href="https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/pb/bgrd/backgroundfile-242000.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">here</span></a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update - February 6, 2024</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The item was deferred to the March Toronto City Council meeting.</span></div>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-47502205669263633422021-03-04T09:52:00.020-08:002021-03-04T15:51:36.913-08:00Robert and George Kennedy House - 24 Louisa Street<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7bUGx8H8CZwU0qC8vItUxsxrmWTsz1VlgxtvU58fPry7DWrnJTsE4ALMVc_OU6ORbhsd9DOuwUxgE1-kLCG9jaTn5Jadd864Ijztav4ahPPzv_h_IcZ5NyMuehZvF9ZqMlXuAgt5hLHy/s745/24+Louisa+Street.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7bUGx8H8CZwU0qC8vItUxsxrmWTsz1VlgxtvU58fPry7DWrnJTsE4ALMVc_OU6ORbhsd9DOuwUxgE1-kLCG9jaTn5Jadd864Ijztav4ahPPzv_h_IcZ5NyMuehZvF9ZqMlXuAgt5hLHy/w263-h400/24+Louisa+Street.JPG" width="263" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">24 Louisa Street </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/24+Louisa+St,+Etobicoke,+ON+M8V+2K6/@43.6192185,-79.4875148,3a,37.5y,223.4h,104.08t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1skeW5Z0R_VxQIkqnwMs4PMw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b361987f0245b:0xf1b2bf649d6ebc5!8m2!3d43.6190714!4d-79.4876736" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">(Google Streetview)</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This interesting house was built by Robert and George Kennedy circa 1908 on part Lot 36, Plan M246, now 24 Louisa Street (originally Louise Street). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The lands that made up Plan M246 were originally part of Plan 1198 which was registered on December 13, 1897. Before that it was part of Plan 164, the original subdivision plan registered in Mimico in 1856. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In Plan 1198 the lands were owned by Robert Jenkins of the City of Toronto. He died on September 29, 1899 and it was Thomas Jenkins his brother, and executor of his estate, who registered Plan M246 on June 4, 1906 which was the re-division of Lot 4 of Plan 1198 into 63 smaller lots.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On February 13, 1908 brothers Robert and George Kennedy bought Lot 36 from Thomas Jenkins for $200.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>The house first appears in the Toronto City Directory in <a href="https://archive.org/details/torontocitydirectory1910/page/41/mode/1up" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1910</span></a> listed as 36 Louise Street, suggesting that it was occupied the previous year. </span>George Kennedy's occupation is listed as tile maker so he most likely worked at the Ontario Sewer Pipe Company at the top of Burlington Street. The house is built much closer to the street than the other houses. It has been suggested that this might have been because it was a store but there is no indication that it was used for a retail purpose in the Toronto City Directories. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">According to the 1913 Goad's Fire Insurance Plan (below) it was built as a wooden clapboard house (coloured yellow indicating wood). A brick veneer must have been applied to it by 1924 as it appears in the <a href="https://maps.library.utoronto.ca/datapub/digital/NG/goad/1924/00083.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1924 Goad's Fire Insurance Plan</span></a> coloured orange indicating brick.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The brothers were living in the house when the enumerator for the 1911 census dropped by. Their entry in the <a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/SplitView.jsp?id=123817" style="color: #ffa400;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1911 census </span></a>tells us that they were both born in Ireland and had emigrated to Canada in 1906. Robert was the eldest being 36 years of age, born in January 1877, while George was 28 years old and born in January 1883. Their occupations were listed as labourer and while Robert listed his income in 1910 as $489, George said he made $480.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On April 19, 1911 Robert Kennedy bought Lot 31 on Alexander Street, the next street to the west, for which he paid Thomas Jenkins $250. And the following year on November 26, 1912 his brother George Kennedy bought Lot 30 next to it from Thomas Jenkins for $300.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4KTpi1Q0LwhVfnvrXPDUcfd8XM7oySwFjGMg_jkd2YJo1tRNznL35TyxAUGtkIicpvHrnKGmVi0ztowHA8b3JH-Oj-1Wuf084mfcHGv-8H0YqODWBqB91ntgWXm2qoSFiL23lSmpIdFy/s661/1913+Goads+Fire+Insurance+Plan+-+24+Louisa.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="566" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4KTpi1Q0LwhVfnvrXPDUcfd8XM7oySwFjGMg_jkd2YJo1tRNznL35TyxAUGtkIicpvHrnKGmVi0ztowHA8b3JH-Oj-1Wuf084mfcHGv-8H0YqODWBqB91ntgWXm2qoSFiL23lSmpIdFy/w343-h400/1913+Goads+Fire+Insurance+Plan+-+24+Louisa.JPG" width="343" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Louisa Street - <span><span>1913 Goad's Fire Insurance Plan.</span> </span><a href="https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/CollectionSearch/Pages/record.aspx?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=3827874&new=-8585867490756544752" style="color: #ffa400;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Plate 9</span></a><span style="color: #ffa400;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">#24 is numbered 150 on the west side of Louisa Street </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 1913 the Toronto City Directory shows the two brothers <a href="https://archive.org/details/torontodirec191300midiuoft/page/n36/mode/1up" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">living </span></a>in the house (numbered 36 Louise at that time). By <a href="https://archive.org/details/torontodirec191400midiuoft/page/n40/mode/1up" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1914</span></a> the brothers had moved out of the house and George Kennedy is listed living on the east side Alexander Street (where he remained till 1920). However they retained ownership of the house on Louise Street and rented it out.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On July 15, 1919 George Kennedy, now a married man, sold his share of the house on Louise Street to his brother Robert for $1.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Robert Kennedy retained ownership of the house for the rest of his life (along with Lot 31 on Alexander Street as well). He died in Lakeview (Mississauga) on <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111609059/robert-kennedy#view-photo=81452263" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">May 7, 1949</span></a> and his executor David Kennedy of the Town of Mimico, became the owner of the property on February 23, 1950. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">David Kennedy lived in the house until his death on <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111609059/robert-kennedy#view-photo=81452263" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">October 16, 1955</span></a> when the property was transferred to his wife and executor, Lorna Irene Graham Kennedy. She held the property until she sold it to Joseph and Marjorie Paszt on January 24, 1958 for $5,500. </span></div></div><p></p>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-45996536393856461982021-02-28T09:20:00.024-08:002021-03-18T18:03:02.959-07:00Archibald Herod House - 180 Queens Avenue<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxb16sGHMwqJBWBxPh1DPoRrxKPR78xS5E8Re9NDIYmZeAiyb8Cof6Sk2rR7OcKv8QnL6sPfJb57b0ttJT1pt4gD5Dw3KqHzyYVfjlSK8AEYQdGe0cclmYyCStwlcpmKQw0I9ky3sV_-6/s810/180+Queens+Avenue+-.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="770" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxb16sGHMwqJBWBxPh1DPoRrxKPR78xS5E8Re9NDIYmZeAiyb8Cof6Sk2rR7OcKv8QnL6sPfJb57b0ttJT1pt4gD5Dw3KqHzyYVfjlSK8AEYQdGe0cclmYyCStwlcpmKQw0I9ky3sV_-6/w380-h400/180+Queens+Avenue+-.JPG" width="380" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">180 Queens Avenue</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">courtesy of Google <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/180+Queens+Ave,+Etobicoke,+ON+M8V+2N9/@43.6158284,-79.493015,3a,40.3y,222.56h,96.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1stNjrF_F1A8yUuekMEvpoFQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b3621e0c32f8b:0x7c492d879852b8e9!8m2!3d43.6156734!4d-79.4931712" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Streetview</span></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This house was built by Robert Murray Herod on Lot 163, Plan M77 for his son Archibald Herod in 1912. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Though he was already living on Queens Avenue by 1899, in June 1902 Robert Murray Herod acquired a number of lots on the west side of the street from R. H. Guthrie. The purchase included lots 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167 and 168. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Archibald was living in his father's house at 182 Queens Avenue in the <a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/ViewFrame.jsp?id=13815&highlight=14" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1901</span></a> and <a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/SplitView.jsp?id=123842" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1911</span></a> census. However, on March 13, 1912 he got married to Annie Melinda Jarvis at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6404749,-79.4342829,3a,48.5y,213.96h,110.73t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4EfJWPiz7-h9cz_B6ynkkQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Parkdale Presbyterian Church</span></a> on Dunn Avenue in Parkdale. Where would the newlyweds live?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On December 24, 1912 Robert Murray Herod sold Lot 163, and the new house he had just built on it, to his son Archibald Herod for $400 as well as assumption of the mortgage to William Jackson of $1,500. This discounted price for a house must have been a Christmas gift to his newly married son.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Archibald and his father would form the Herod Construction Company a few years later which built many homes and other buildings in Mimico and the surrounding district.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Archibald didn't live here very long however, selling the house on June 4, 1919 to Thomas Hogg and his wife Carrie Louisa Hogg for $3,800. He then moved to <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/149+Queens+Ave,+Etobicoke,+ON/@43.6146,-79.4925071,3a,25.6y,56.43h,93.25t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWJhqIhFpYogKIZTn1hVzlg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b361f793e18cf:0x72494f7946dee1b0!8m2!3d43.6147309!4d-79.4922892" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">149 Queens Avenue</span></a> down the street. By 1929 he was living at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/53+Primrose+Ave,+Etobicoke,+ON+M8V+1P7/@43.6142505,-79.4915785,3a,22.3y,315.52h,96.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1scyhhVYiIaH-yTo6Ox-tyYw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b361f744a5be3:0x25fc5ff1da12fb70!8m2!3d43.6144258!4d-79.4917214" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">53 Primrose Avenue</span></a>. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While still a relatively young man of 39 he died of a heart attack after rushing up three flights of stairs to wish a friend farewell in April 1932. He was <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206740526/archibald-herod" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">buried</span></a> in Parklawn Cemetery.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmXuwU_lzXM7D_2llTsSwBPAaV9oz_tLfS8T3zG6j-lFPXRkrTqLy8SS4O_UohAPa5v1tPzI2j8wmR0nT11lT_QrgNxqjuwbp8sAEG4dDd53aSywl7N_rbgdH8RsK_FTRDIQuDGVhHXH9/s663/1932+April+29++-+Death+of+Archibald+Herod+-+Globe+and+Mail.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="663" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmXuwU_lzXM7D_2llTsSwBPAaV9oz_tLfS8T3zG6j-lFPXRkrTqLy8SS4O_UohAPa5v1tPzI2j8wmR0nT11lT_QrgNxqjuwbp8sAEG4dDd53aSywl7N_rbgdH8RsK_FTRDIQuDGVhHXH9/w400-h266/1932+April+29++-+Death+of+Archibald+Herod+-+Globe+and+Mail.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Globe and Mail - April 29, 1932</span></div></span></div><p></p>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-19494223757298068842021-02-27T08:44:00.012-08:002024-02-06T11:52:33.826-08:00Anthony Joseph Building - 80 Mimico Avenue <p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1G7LRnCfEnjI4pzV27gdGsHnG7l4PLZ9E_H7BVBxrcxSozMhXjAxHqPjYdUWroPdSFe1c1sJcVlwg5erURF4AISX-x2XtDweq4BtoLvzv6MZWLxx_S4mSk203K6ukV8B44iAJdeEwP1D/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1G7LRnCfEnjI4pzV27gdGsHnG7l4PLZ9E_H7BVBxrcxSozMhXjAxHqPjYdUWroPdSFe1c1sJcVlwg5erURF4AISX-x2XtDweq4BtoLvzv6MZWLxx_S4mSk203K6ukV8B44iAJdeEwP1D/w337-h400/image.png" width="337" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">80 Mimico Avenue - Anthony Joseph Building</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">courtesy Google <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6130222,-79.493053,3a,48.9y,344.91h,94.68t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shtd04GylGsT9LZGd6txU2A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">streetview</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This quintessential shop and residence at 80 Mimico Avenue was built in 1929 by Anthony Joseph.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Anthony Joseph was born in Mount Lebanon, Lebanon in about 1870 when it was part of the Ottoman Empire. He emigrated to Canada via New York in the 1910s and settled in Welland, Ontario. His name was originally Antoni Joseph Michael but sometime after he married his second wife Lucy Mansour (also from Mount Lebanon and her second marriage as well) in Welland Ontario in 1920 he began to use Anthony Joseph. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By 1920 they had moved to Toronto and then in 1926 to Mimico where they opened a confectionary shop at 118 Mimico Avenue. This move to Mimico seems to be as a result of the fact that his wife's sister was already living in Mimico at 100 Mimico Avenue where her husband Stephen Francis also had a store. It seems there was a desire for the two families to live close to each other. The family were members of the Syrian Melikite Mission Church in Toronto but usually attended St. Leo's Roman Catholic Church on nearby Church Street (present day Royal York Road) as it was closer and more convenient. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Joseph bought part of lot 7, Plan 852 in 1928 from John Mackenzie & Sons Dairy next door for $1,600. He then mortgaged the property to Pearl Assurance Company for $3,000 in early 1929. This most likely was to obtain the capital to build the store where he operated as a grocer and he and his family lived on the second floor. He would pay off the mortgage in 1936 so business must have been good despite the Depression. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Anthony Joseph died on July 25, 1947 and ownership of the property was transferred to his wife Lucy Mansour. In 1980 she sold the property to the Exclusive Canada and Novelty Distributors Ltd.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update - January 18, 2024</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today the Toronto Preservation Board recommended designation of the property under the Ontario Heritage Act along with the properties at 78 and 86 Mimico Avenue. The recommendation will proceed to Toronto City Council for a decision. At the meeting a planner representing a developer that owns 78 and 80 indicated that they will be submitting a development application for this site in the second quarter of 2024. The city staff report on this item can be found <a href="https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/pb/bgrd/backgroundfile-242000.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">here</span></a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update - February 6, 2024</u></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The item was deferred to the March Toronto City Council meeting.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-83801645039575263992021-02-27T06:46:00.024-08:002021-02-28T13:05:52.993-08:00St. Andrew's Hall - 178 & 178A Royal York Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuF2tgBMc2sAL32IYEFVVBpy7ByBKgazTf5nBAjjiFPUMsDGhXgV5jA3rDa0D97tdWNovuwtzT-FbwPdxLodKKxVo6GMAw8JIfoi7vINZ24gIeNaBApAYRApcoZkBhyphenhyphenITnk177jufw-ljS/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="1509" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuF2tgBMc2sAL32IYEFVVBpy7ByBKgazTf5nBAjjiFPUMsDGhXgV5jA3rDa0D97tdWNovuwtzT-FbwPdxLodKKxVo6GMAw8JIfoi7vINZ24gIeNaBApAYRApcoZkBhyphenhyphenITnk177jufw-ljS/w640-h242/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">178 + 178A Royal York Road - St. Andrew's Hall</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">courtesy Google <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6111903,-79.4963149,3a,34.7y,253.42h,86.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sI_Yvpt7KZFETqFSn0Yg1Ww!2e0!7i13312!8i6656" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Streetview</span></a> - 2016<br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This usual building, half underground at 178 + 178A Royal York Road, is St Andrew's Hall and was built in 1924 (despite the 1923 datestone on the front of the building). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 1924 Martin Collett, Mimico Druggist and Laura his wife sold part of Lots 30 and 31, Plan M76 to Alexander Shaw and Edward Blair as Trustees for the Sons of England Benefit Society for $1,125. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Society was founded in Canada in 1876 and provided insurance to members in need due to family illness and other unfortunate circumstances. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Society built St Andrew's Hall that same year with an original address of 182 Church Street. The Hall was an event space for the community and hosted various functions such as political meetings, community dinners, dances and other events. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 1925 the Hall would became the home of the minority of members of the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Royal+York+Rd+%26+Mimico+Ave,+Toronto,+ON+M8V+2V8/@43.6123771,-79.4962491,3a,39.5y,148.12h,103.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sggArrarZb9Jj6B46Z5bxEg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b49df6223e025:0x7f5cbacd4da1caf2!8m2!3d43.6122519!4d-79.4967361" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Mimico Presbyterian Church</span></a> who were opposed to the merger with the new United Church of Canada. As detailed in the October 10, 1925 edition of the <i>Globe and Mail</i>, the vote in the Mimico Presbyterian Church was 170 for the merger and 131 against. Since the majority voted for the merger with the United Church, the Mimico Presbyterian Church on the south east corner of Mimico Avenue and Church Street was renamed St. Paul's United Church. At that point those still opposed to the merger left and began to worship at St. Andrew's Hall as the Mimico Presbyterian Church. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 1926 the Mimico Presbyterian Church requested that St. Andrew's Hall be given tax exempt status which caused quite the bruhaha at Mimico Town Council. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As detailed in the August 24, 1926 edition of the <i>Toronto Star</i> "Seldom if ever have personalities been indulged into to such an extent as at last night's meeting of the Mimico council over the question as to whether St. Andrew's hall, now the Presbyterian church, should, as recommended by the finance committee, be exempt from taxation from the beginning of 1926... the fireworks started when Councillor Hendry (a former Methodist) did not think they could exempt St. Andrew's hall for taxation as the building, he understood, was owned by a syndicate and the church were only tenants." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This set off the Mayor and others and a lively debate recorded verbatim ensued: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mayor Savage (who is the clerk of the sessions of the Presbyterian church): "There is a lot of opposition to the Presbyterian church and I want to find out where it comes from. I am not going to stand for it." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Councillor Hendry: "There were political meetings held there last year." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mayor Savage: "It has only been used as a church this year. We do not have a gymnasium or rent it out for public entertainments. The finance committee took legal advice before making their recommendation." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Councillor Waiks (Methodist): "It has been used as a dancing school." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mayor Savage: "Don't make insinuations here or ask such impertinent questions. I am not accustomed to having my word doubted. The Presbyterian church was here long before the United church and will be here long after the United church has gone." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Deputy Reeve Murphy took strong exception to the councillor's remarks, adding: "It looks as if petty spite is being used." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Councillor Hendry: "If there is an act you are going by, I don't understand it." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Deputy Reeve Murphy: "If you cannot use common sense there is no talking to you. You are practically calling a man a liar." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mayor Savage: "The church act has nothing to do with municipal affairs. This is only a stab at the Presbyterian church in the town." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Deputy Reeve Murphy: "If this is Christian attitude I am darn glad I am not in that class." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Councillor Hendry: "There is no good going into personalities." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Deputy Reeve Murphy: "You are only calling a man a liar in other words and are not man enough to do so to his face." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Councillor Waiks: "The atmosphere is not clearing. It is not a personal matter." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mayor Savage: "This is a personal grievance against the church." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Councillor Hendy: "It is a pity you are getting up in the air." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mayor Savage: "You had no right to doubt the word of the finance committee." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Councillor Hendy: "You are getting a little excited." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mayor Savage: "You doubt my word and I am not going to stand it". </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Deputy Reeve Murphy: "I was perfectly satisfied to make the recommendation and the reeve entertained the same view." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Councillor Waiks: "We have a perfect right to ask questions." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Deputy Reeve Murphy: "This is only a question of spite - and I take strong exception to the attitude of Councillor Hendry and Waiks. If they are Christians I am glad I am not of their ilk." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Despite this lively debate the motion did carry and the building was granted tax exempt status.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Mimico Presbyterian Church would remain at St. Andrew's Hall until St. Paul's United Church decided to merge with Wesley United Church and join them at their recently built new church on the north west corner of Mimico Avenue and Station Road. That merger took place in May 1927 after which there appears to have been a gap in time while the the building was vacant until the Mimico Presbyterian Church moved back from St. Andrew's Hall.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Alexander Shaw, Trustee of St. Andrew's Hall died on September 1, 1941, and since Blair had predeceased him ownership of the property was transferred to Alexander Shaw's widow Mary Jane Shaw. She held the property until March 25, 1946 when she transferred the property to Albert Sturton and George Rush Jr as the new trustees for the Sons of England Benefit Society. In 1951 George Rush Jr died and the property was transferred solely to Albert Sturton, Trustee. He then transferred it to the Trafalgar Social Club for $2. It was purchased by Glencoe Harvey Hogle of Hogle's Funeral Home in Mimico in March 1955 for an undisclosed amount and the building began to be used for retail purposes as a women's clothing store. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Five years later in 1960 Hogle leased the building to Bertram Lyn of Woodbridge for 10 years at an annual rent of $2,400. In 1967 Hogle extended the lease by three and a half years to Bertram Lyn's widow Dora Caroline Lyn. However in March 1969 Hogle sold the property to Walter and Marlene Peteraitis. They transferred it to Oscar Peteraitis in September 1974. He sold it to Catherine Nagy and Shelia Wright in April 1976. In 1977 they transferred it to Safety Floor Installation Ltd. The company defaulted on its mortgage and the property was assumed by Neda Gagro in October 1979.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The building has been vacant for a number of years and its future is uncertain.</span></div></div>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-8467845153616508132021-02-27T05:24:00.009-08:002024-02-06T11:52:48.677-08:00Union Bank Building - Mimico Branch - 86 Mimico Avenue/3 Station Road <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALTZX5w-rukQh8pWl3bBtPIyU9axRZImtfKeoOfFcMCiCm-tC-JXwydFx_tdG5TN59-IKzGeF4FupI6ciGCaOESoYHapWOZFXuJnNANl27Q1Sd6hYC6VFsZc-7lhpF-sShdy4hF-H5t_-/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="698" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALTZX5w-rukQh8pWl3bBtPIyU9axRZImtfKeoOfFcMCiCm-tC-JXwydFx_tdG5TN59-IKzGeF4FupI6ciGCaOESoYHapWOZFXuJnNANl27Q1Sd6hYC6VFsZc-7lhpF-sShdy4hF-H5t_-/w370-h400/image.png" width="370" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Union Bank of Canada Building - Mimico Branch</span><br /></span><span><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6130165,-79.4931908,3a,75y,345.03h,92.58t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4cfc_1BPqHhKYZ0vemyvlQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Google streetview</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This impressive building at the north east corner of Mimico Avenue and Station Road was built in 1924 as the Mimico branch of the Union Bank of Canada.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Union Bank of Canada first established itself in Mimico in 1910 on <span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="http://mimicohistory.blogspot.com/2011/12/34-cavell-avenue-union-bank-of-canada.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Cavell Avenue</span></a> </span>(then Southampton Street). It stayed in this location until about 1916 when it relocated to the Lake Shore Road but in December 1923 the bank bought this lot on Mimico Avenue for $3,135 from Stephen Francis and Beddway Francis (Lebanese merchants who lived and had a store at 100 Mimico Avenue) and built its first purpose built branch on the site in 1924. The following year the Union Bank merged with the Royal Bank of Canada. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUTyceGo0oxq1klQSk39qEVxhuQ76FXUWxD62_OdX7OSz0Gq0N2MrkXc3kdBpo6xi_aRhB5q-IMicOTFI9DvccBEV1mnTawppOqMo9v2sx-8xuy0h_fWRiDI3B8wo_tgA_4hw-Vb0lGwV/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="676" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUTyceGo0oxq1klQSk39qEVxhuQ76FXUWxD62_OdX7OSz0Gq0N2MrkXc3kdBpo6xi_aRhB5q-IMicOTFI9DvccBEV1mnTawppOqMo9v2sx-8xuy0h_fWRiDI3B8wo_tgA_4hw-Vb0lGwV/w307-h400/image.png" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Royal Bank of Canada - Mimico Branch - 86 Mimico Avenue in 1933</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">courtesy <a href="https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMDC-TSPA_0106701F&R=DC-TSPA_0106701F" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Toronto Public Library Digital Archive</span></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Presently the architect is unknown but in 1919 <a href="http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/1851" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Norman McNabb Moffatt</span></a> was appointed as the staff architect for the Union Bank of Canada and so he is most likely the creator of this lovely building.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bank was a location of some excitement in 1933 when it was robbed. The headline in the Toronto Star on June 16, 1933 was "Two Armed Thugs Rob Mimico of $2,325."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzerBTY1x8UvYt5MDvjkoGMa4Q_8ItblffAi6YnT2ckPbogHKgcrwK0KqYg8EvUzkeI-v2-cpdwQG9nfb2S9MWvTthc7u3Xw2HSMSa8tMJWIxXFohV_hXv6lkXcMuCO4xpyit_m9PjulvR/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="251" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzerBTY1x8UvYt5MDvjkoGMa4Q_8ItblffAi6YnT2ckPbogHKgcrwK0KqYg8EvUzkeI-v2-cpdwQG9nfb2S9MWvTthc7u3Xw2HSMSa8tMJWIxXFohV_hXv6lkXcMuCO4xpyit_m9PjulvR/w219-h640/image.png" width="219" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaUcCq-G4fFmA4QatXrL_A_oYiHP1PnUaPv4FwJMPAiQVRxXitpMgo718WrMjyqvZbwNNLJxDWKCfI9nX5uU2p96AIdpguyr6sO7dgDXXFbroKEQblI8vsDkFBs6Uj8TciM0CYEjxBU6X/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="242" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaUcCq-G4fFmA4QatXrL_A_oYiHP1PnUaPv4FwJMPAiQVRxXitpMgo718WrMjyqvZbwNNLJxDWKCfI9nX5uU2p96AIdpguyr6sO7dgDXXFbroKEQblI8vsDkFBs6Uj8TciM0CYEjxBU6X/w248-h640/image.png" width="248" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI8uF8qIn9Otr8kgMreTXGchnTt7rlqY0eCw0woE3phiYZIJ2fsLAwc_4SJQb04tSTrZ1rF_u5z65RA3YD74cchc9quq44SSxgEXxefPF1bjSau4EfaGQiEcP3sWKkSLBJiGWXzVldZhg/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="249" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI8uF8qIn9Otr8kgMreTXGchnTt7rlqY0eCw0woE3phiYZIJ2fsLAwc_4SJQb04tSTrZ1rF_u5z65RA3YD74cchc9quq44SSxgEXxefPF1bjSau4EfaGQiEcP3sWKkSLBJiGWXzVldZhg/w342-h400/image.png" width="342" /></a></td></tr><tr></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The bank appears to have closed the branch in 1936 after which the building remained vacant until 1939 when it was sold to Charles Grossi for $2 and a mortgage of $3,750. Grossi sold the north end of the lot to the Silverwood Dairy just down the street but retained the building. However it appears as vacant in the Toronto City Directories until 1942 when John Lavelle who had a butter and egg business is listed as living there. Grossi died about 1953 and his estate sold the building to Florence Weber for $2 subject to the existing mortgage. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update - January 18, 2024</u></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today the Toronto Preservation Board recommended designation of the property under the Ontario Heritage Act along with the properties at 78 and 80 Mimico Avenue. The recommendation will proceed to Toronto City Council for a decision. The city staff report on this item can be found <a href="https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/pb/bgrd/backgroundfile-242000.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">here</span></a>.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update - February 6, 2024</u></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The item was deferred to the March Toronto City Council meeting.</span></div></span></div></span></div>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-71246904391779950112021-02-14T10:09:00.010-08:002022-05-14T10:28:19.246-07:00Bank of Montreal Building - 2448 Lake Shore Blvd West<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5Qw1kBqiUY-cBwRMVUz20u6VARfk7Z5x0GlCNggzA_6J0rnLgOfBy4BP8RrGcIr3L1pnQN8pSaZ5qCKwLFS-yGiFwO4bq6oRNzyGMAqSkuHf0ifBByx_Gg1uS75LNDtYqJGAMbRsd20W/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="752" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5Qw1kBqiUY-cBwRMVUz20u6VARfk7Z5x0GlCNggzA_6J0rnLgOfBy4BP8RrGcIr3L1pnQN8pSaZ5qCKwLFS-yGiFwO4bq6oRNzyGMAqSkuHf0ifBByx_Gg1uS75LNDtYqJGAMbRsd20W/w400-h223/image.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Bank of Montreal Building - 2448 Lake Shore Blvd West.</span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(source: Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment, page 47)</span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>After more than 100 years in Mimico the Bank of Montreal closed its branch at 2448 Lake Shore Blvd West on March 22, 2019. </span><span>The Bank of Montreal claimed that it was the first chartered bank to open in the Town of Mimico but the Union Bank of Canada beat it by 6 years when it opened its branch at present day <a href="https://mimicohistory.blogspot.com/search?q=union" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">34 Cavell Avenue</span></a> (then Southampton Street) in 1910. The Bank of Montreal didn't establish itself in Mimico until 1916 in a former butcher shop on the Lakeshore Road. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 1923 the bank acquired the landmark site at the corner of Mimico Avenue and the Lakeshore Road when it merged with the Merchant Bank of Canada who purchased the vacant lot in 1920 but had not yet built on it. In 1923 the Bank of Montreal commenced construction of a purpose built branch on the property. The building was designed by Ralph K. Shepard (1874-1933), a prominent architect, whose list of <a href="http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/1933" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">works</span></a> includes the <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x882b34cee813a16b%3A0xc56b2cc2afa31ccb!3m1!7e115!4s%2Fmaps%2Fplace%2FUNIVERSITY%2BCLUB%2BOF%2BTORONTO%2F%4043.6531749%2C-79.3877911%2C3a%2C75y%2C247.82h%2C90t%2Fdata%3D*213m4*211e1*213m2*211smcIlSNyxXFzeX3v9NUBoSg*212e0*214m2*213m1*211s0x882b34cee813a16b%3A0xc56b2cc2afa31ccb%3Fsa%3DX!5sUNIVERSITY%20CLUB%20OF%20TORONTO%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e2!2smcIlSNyxXFzeX3v9NUBoSg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjUt9uY7OnuAhUBc60KHa-GANsQpx8wCnoECBQQCA" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">University Club of Toronto</span></a> the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Building_(Toronto)" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Temple Building</span></a>, and many other bank buildings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>The building was reviewed as part of the “Mimico 20/20 Revitalization </span><span>Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment” completed by URS for the City of Toronto's Heritage Preservation Services </span><span>in 2012. The report provided the following description for the building:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>"Early 20th century commercial building of good design, significant siting, makes a solid contribution to </span><span>the character of the street and reflects the most significant phase of commercial development in </span><span>Mimico for the past century. Two storey brick structure with stone or concrete string courses and sills, </span><span>pressed metal cornice, classical portico around main entrance may be later addition." (note that a 1924 photo of the bank indicates that the classical portico was part of the original 1924 design)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>Though this bank is now closed t</span><span>he building is a significant building in the Town of Mimico anchoring the corner of </span><span>Mimico Avenue and Lake Shore Blvd West. </span><span>The building was a landmark in Mimico upon its construction in 1924 and </span><span>remains a landmark building to this day.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Having been identified in the <a href="https://preservedstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/final_cultural_heritage_resource_assessment.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment</span></a> study as worthy of "further study and evaluation as a potential Built Heritage Resource" I submitted a request in November 2018 to designate the building under the Ontario Heritage Act to Heritage Preservation Services at the City of Toronto. The request remains in the queue but hopefully this significant landmark building will continue to grace this corner, and delight the eyes, for many years to come.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update October 6, 2021</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today the Toronto Preservation Board recommended that the property be listed under the Ontario Heritage Act. Hopefully full designation under the Act will be forthcoming soon.</span></p><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update October 12, 2021</u></span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today the Etobicoke York Community Council adopted the recommendation from the Toronto Preservation Board. The recommendation will now proceed to full Toronto City Council on November 9, 2021.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update November 9, 2021</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Toronto City Council adopted the recommendation without debate. The property is now listed under the Ontario Heritage Act. Therefore Toronto Heritage Planning will be notified of any work or proposal on the property.</span></div>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-87857838082295233882021-02-13T12:01:00.243-08:002021-03-24T10:21:39.302-07:00Robert Herod House - 182 Queens Avenue - Under Threat<p style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiOjg1Vg08lDwWuRm65mxxH6jcu9aBvK969GvOu6Z0k6T9upEFiC9VcBr-wFh4qi4Wzyo6ypPs6O75urW415SiB9an87-R-F3rG0k7nNpPQDv914qOYkVWmwdKbLHTdX7puzCDkx8AQfn/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="524" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiOjg1Vg08lDwWuRm65mxxH6jcu9aBvK969GvOu6Z0k6T9upEFiC9VcBr-wFh4qi4Wzyo6ypPs6O75urW415SiB9an87-R-F3rG0k7nNpPQDv914qOYkVWmwdKbLHTdX7puzCDkx8AQfn/w390-h400/image.png" width="390" /></a></p><span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">182 Queens Avenue </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">courtesy Google <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/182+Queens+Ave,+Etobicoke,+ON+M8V+2N9/@43.6159142,-79.4930544,3a,46.9y,236.11h,89.78t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slIixOAMFWtWUL-2eMtGUWQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b3621e1345649:0x4c2c9e2f6d9f4be4!8m2!3d43.6157888!4d-79.4932152" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Streetview</span></a></span></div><div style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This rather plain house at 182 Queens Avenue was built probably in 1902 by Robert Murray Herod a bricklayer and builder on Lot 162, Plan M77. (Note that my earlier post indicated a date of 1898 for the house however subsequent research has indicated he didn't purchase the lot until June 1902). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It was one of the earliest houses in Mimico, and on this stretch of the street. Given his occupation as a bricklayer and builder he most likely built it himself. </span></div></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Robert was the son of William Herod and Ann Murray, born in Hagersville, Ontario in 1855. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Robert married his first wife Mary Baird in Haldimand County in May 1882 and had two children - James and Margaretta - before her death in 1886. After his move to Mimico Robert married his second wife Martha Ritchie, also from Mimico, at the Methodist Parsonage at 125 Dunn Avenue in Parkdale on August 13, 1889. They would go on to have six children - William, Herbert, Archibald, Eleanor, Robert and Peter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>He first appears in Mimico in the <a href="https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMDC-TCD1899&R=DC-TCD1899" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1899</span></a> Toronto City Directory (pg 58) living on Queens Avenue (hence the original posting that the house was built in 1898) and h</span>e and his family were enumerated there in the <span><a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/ViewFrame.jsp?id=13815&highlight=9%20and%20https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1901&op=pdf&id=z000119022" style="color: #ffa400;" target="_blank">1901 </a>and</span><span style="color: #ffa400;"> <a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/SplitView.jsp?id=123842" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1911</span></a> </span><span>census.</span> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However, though he was living on Queens Avenue by 1898 (since the information for the 1899 City Directory would have been assembled in late 1898), it was not until June 13, 1902 that Robert Murray Herod acquired a number of lots on the west side of the street from Mr. R. H. Guthrie. The purchase included lots 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167 and 168. The house was built on lot 162. He would later build a <a href="http://mimicohistory.blogspot.com/2021/02/180-queens-avenue-archibald-herod-house.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">house</span></a> for his son Archibald on lot 163 in 1912.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This raises the question of exactly when this house was built. If he didn't buy this lot until June 1902 would he have built a house on it in 1898? Seems unlikely. Or was he renting another house on the street from 1898 which would explain the 1899 entry in the Toronto City Directory and then built this house in 1902 when he purchased the lot? A more likely scenario. The definitive answer most likely lies within the assessment records for the Township of Etobicoke. However, given the current conditions, it is not possible to visit the City of Toronto Archives to check them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mimico is covered by <a href="https://maps.library.utoronto.ca/datapub/digital/NG/goad/1910/83.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Plate 83</span></a> of the 1910 Goad's Fire Insurance Plan however it is wildly inaccurate for the Mimico area. One only needs to look at the number of inhabitants in the city directories for Mimico to see that the few dozen houses shown on the 1910 plan could not house all the people living there. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflERFgdbjQ3IODnletybQkBw-ghmDKDuqYUcB9bwATazxpE8glVDyWqXzUhjZKRQuvJzSA_NdQ56W4PZPGL3hDr64LQ2t5ZXpehLP58-U6l5TwPAAhkeXnMg676Yxngu-9QaVtBO2MFwJ/" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="774" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflERFgdbjQ3IODnletybQkBw-ghmDKDuqYUcB9bwATazxpE8glVDyWqXzUhjZKRQuvJzSA_NdQ56W4PZPGL3hDr64LQ2t5ZXpehLP58-U6l5TwPAAhkeXnMg676Yxngu-9QaVtBO2MFwJ/w640-h420/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><div><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">182 Queens Avenue (#418)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/CollectionSearch/Pages/record.aspx?app=fonandcol&IdNumber=3827874&new=-8585867490756544752" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">1913</span></a> Goad's Fire Insurance Plan for Mimico and New Toronto (Sheet 4)</div></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It is also clear from looking at the excerpt from Sheet 4 of the 1913 Fire Insurance Plan for Mimico and New Toronto above that there is a mistake on the 1913 Fire Insurance Plan for the City of Toronto (below). The 1913 Mimico and New Toronto Fire Insurance Plan is much more accurate and clearly shows the shape of the houses. 182 Queens Avenue is clearly rectangular in shape while 180 Queens Avenue is square matching the shape of the houses. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In contrast <a href="https://maps.library.utoronto.ca/datapub/digital/NG/goad/1913/00083.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Plate 83</span></a> of the 1913 Fire Insurance Plan for the City of Toronto (below) uses simple generic shapes, and while it clearly shows the two houses together they are on the wrong lots. On Plate 83 they appear on lots 161 and 162 when they should be on lots 162 and 163 as confirmed by the land transaction records.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eEtYEahwvGG7Vp6dI7hNqLE1-l1wgD-PP6m6fnVToLFtJcM5hIoS05WSQVuA9-kHdXBltGYYazf98mm6Ch9lN45jjIQjLRKyJ5NV-xjxzRRytMYv9CctMctw-nnwpF_g6grsGOIZhZ5j/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="271" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eEtYEahwvGG7Vp6dI7hNqLE1-l1wgD-PP6m6fnVToLFtJcM5hIoS05WSQVuA9-kHdXBltGYYazf98mm6Ch9lN45jjIQjLRKyJ5NV-xjxzRRytMYv9CctMctw-nnwpF_g6grsGOIZhZ5j/w440-h640/image.png" width="440" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1913 Goads Fire Insurance Plan for the City of Toronto, Plate 83 with 180 and 182 Queens Avenue on the wrong lots.</span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">During the First World War three of Robert Herod's sons - <a href="https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B4292-S049" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">William</span></a>, <a href="https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B4292-S042" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">James</span></a> and <a href="https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?op=pdf&app=CEF&id=B4292-S041" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Herbert</span></a> - enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Of these three only two would survive. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">James Herod was wounded in August 1918 as described in the August 24, 1918 edition of the <i>Toronto Star</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdGU5eSoYYkEgsZJh6tgwYgadNh-KkzeTwVPT9ylqNgj7laf9DF0xl1hIb2DvXuEVGeiAhoGi5EcyVdwhrmIMYdeIU8dOoIgY-QlLPpDoifAhuJF-ZchQd71vmuiIu0W3aQpAhUIfufYU/s439/1918+Aug+24+-+James+Herod+wounded+-+Toronto+Star.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="439" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdGU5eSoYYkEgsZJh6tgwYgadNh-KkzeTwVPT9ylqNgj7laf9DF0xl1hIb2DvXuEVGeiAhoGi5EcyVdwhrmIMYdeIU8dOoIgY-QlLPpDoifAhuJF-ZchQd71vmuiIu0W3aQpAhUIfufYU/w400-h354/1918+Aug+24+-+James+Herod+wounded+-+Toronto+Star.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Toronto Star</i>, August 24, 1918</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">William Herod, their eldest child, was <a href="https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/1569173" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">killed</span></a> on September 3, 1918 a few months before the end of the war. According to the Canadian Expeditionary Force burial register "he was killed by shrapnel and concussion on the night of September 3, 1918, whilst acting as driver on an Ammunition convoy in the vicinity of <a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/place/62182+Cagnicourt,+France/@50.2037033,2.9782061,13.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c2b30d482aeb7f:0x70cb02cb267e0b9d!8m2!3d50.211754!4d2.9993629" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Cagnicourt</span></a>." and his "body was left by the side of the Arras-Cambrai Road." His name appears on the Vimy Memorial which contains the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as "missing, presumed dead" in France.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCL5-USmNDx_GC-zlUlxywik4f7Vwnct4QnDnfe7jZdMjQz33E-5OjLUvRtLr7tKNmNSz2EG8bh7cwhpQJw8TmZtj-X5ya5KulL3mbGap4QSOpXOLXx3jxpv3tGX2QjArjmZY-2yXd6NbY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="434" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCL5-USmNDx_GC-zlUlxywik4f7Vwnct4QnDnfe7jZdMjQz33E-5OjLUvRtLr7tKNmNSz2EG8bh7cwhpQJw8TmZtj-X5ya5KulL3mbGap4QSOpXOLXx3jxpv3tGX2QjArjmZY-2yXd6NbY/w253-h400/image.png" width="253" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">courtesy <a href="https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/1569173?William%20Samuel%20Herod" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Canadian Virtual War Memorial</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-style: italic;">Toronto Star</i><i>, </i>September 19, 1918</div></span><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Robert and his family were well known contractors and builders in Mimico and built many homes and other buildings there and in the district. While not a comprehensive list by any means he worked on the following building projects:</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">1917: <a href="http://mimicohistory.blogspot.com/2012/11/mimico-masonic-temple-connaught-hall.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Connaught Hall</span></a>, Mimico. Herod Construction was paid <a href="https://archive.org/details/contractrecordv31p01/page/n1112/mode/1up?q=herod" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">$7,500</span></a> for the foundation and brick work of the building.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">1921: Masonry <a href="https://archive.org/details/contractrecordv36p01/page/n839/mode/1up?q=herod" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">contract</span></a> for a residence costing $4,500 for Horace Standsfield. In the 1926 Toronto City Directory he was living at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/72+Superior+Ave,+Etobicoke,+ON+M8V+2M8/@43.6159865,-79.4921286,3a,19.2y,201.8h,93.59t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1slWesKKf6W8eP505J32YfNg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b361f5b381cbb:0xca2f58f3df8992c1!8m2!3d43.6158668!4d-79.4922278" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">72 Superior Avenue</span></a> which is most likely the house built.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">1921: Masonry <a href="https://archive.org/details/contractrecordv35p02/page/53/mode/1up?q=herod" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">contract</span></a> for a residence on Central Street for W.J. McClintock, a local builder and developer.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">1923: Masonry work for a residence on Primrose Avenue and for a residence for W. J. McClintock, a local builder and developer, on Eastbourne Crescent.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">1923: General <a href="https://archive.org/details/contractrecordv37p03/page/n1132/mode/1up?q=herod" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">contractor</span></a> for a $10,000 theatre in Mimico. It was built for W. J. McClintock but by 1926 it was the Lakeside Theatre owned by Alva Barnette. Later it would be renamed the <a href="https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMDC-TS-2-126-GO-080&R=DC-TS-2-126-GO-080" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Rex Theatre</span></a>. The theatre's owner - Mr. Walton - and the theatre would get mixed up in the <a href="https://mimicohistory.blogspot.com/search?q=scandal" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">judicial inquiry</span></a> into overbuilding in Mimico in the 1960s.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">1929: An addition to the High School in Bowmanville at a cost of $86,000. The article in the May 2, 1929 edition of the <a href="http://images.ourontario.ca/Partners/ClaPL/CLaPL002713549pf_0004.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;"><i>Canadian Statesman</i></span></a> states "The company is well known in and around Toronto, having done considerable building in recent years." It then goes on to indicate that the company had built a major portion of the Goodyear Tire Company factory in New Toronto.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">1930: <a href="https://static.torontopubliclibrary.ca/da/pdfs/37131084371822d_v6_n35.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Laundry Building</span></a>, Ontario Hospital at Mimico (New Toronto) at a cost of $50,000.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">1931: <span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/31+Lakeshore+Rd+E,+Mississauga,+ON+L5G+4V5/@43.5519555,-79.5852272,3a,37.5y,149.81h,98.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFPYMaA_h2QTErTtqYkjZWg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b4672fdb8b629:0x772595a4b9fdf66b!8m2!3d43.5517001!4d-79.585202" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Post Office & Public Building</span></a></span>, Port Credit at a cost of approximately <a href="https://archive.org/details/vreportofauditor3132cana/page/14/mode/1up?q=herod" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">$35,000</span></a>. The <a href="https://www.mississauga.ca/file/COM/HAC_Agenda_2012_11_20_Part_3_of_4.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">building</span></a> is on the City of Mississauga's Heritage Registry.</span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">1931: Harry McGee Vice President of Eaton's who had a <a href="http://mimicoestates.blogspot.com/2011/02/kilcooley-gardens-colonel-harry-mcgee.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">summer estate</span></a> in Mimico retained the company to build <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Stanley+Ave+%26+Albert+Ave,+Toronto,+ON+M8V+1N1/@43.6166751,-79.4890063,3a,75y,327.81h,82.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYHGVEIIWi0FR7gW1zlsixA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!4m5!3m4!1s0x882b361932e9c571:0xa6f409f80dce3e05!8m2!3d43.6164772!4d-79.4892558" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">11 houses and duplexes</span></a> at Stanley Avenue and Albert Street as a relief project for the unemployed.</span></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Robert lived in the house for the rest of his life dying there at the age of 88 on February 17, 1944 and was buried in Park Lawn Cemetery. His death registration listed his occupation as a retired contractor. His obituary appeared in the Globe on February 19, 1944: </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52TZKpeev4X0t9iZZHB5g3TM6IFXHMiPbfmS9n61qoDC8fTFq7zSV2AANrh6IXkRqhep-Bsf_KJ0JyUFgI-scuC2yz6bA8i4pZX_IiJdAcewK6mgAxHDNnlD1WH-emF7aeRfD8M71S1KC/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="336" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52TZKpeev4X0t9iZZHB5g3TM6IFXHMiPbfmS9n61qoDC8fTFq7zSV2AANrh6IXkRqhep-Bsf_KJ0JyUFgI-scuC2yz6bA8i4pZX_IiJdAcewK6mgAxHDNnlD1WH-emF7aeRfD8M71S1KC/w263-h400/image.png" width="263" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">His wife Martha Jane died in the house on December 4, 1945 and was buried with him in Park Lawn Cemetery. Her obituary appeared in the Globe on December 5, 1945.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBVEhBmx7mS9npUJR-GNKdW2LBakuyHXKIPKOPX5e_eDL5XvcKKZvlwFvwfMo3jY7GrijtQCWum0p5kmzLHfo8f5VNwZlif98JCsj_sZvshg694FKQdlwlkalfENlFKhgGEdPxWf_noNL/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="559" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBVEhBmx7mS9npUJR-GNKdW2LBakuyHXKIPKOPX5e_eDL5XvcKKZvlwFvwfMo3jY7GrijtQCWum0p5kmzLHfo8f5VNwZlif98JCsj_sZvshg694FKQdlwlkalfENlFKhgGEdPxWf_noNL/w320-h156/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Upon her father's death in 1944 the house passed to his daughter Elenor married to Chester Turley, however she didn't register herself as the owner of the property on title until November 21, 1951. They last appear in the 1954 Toronto City Directory living in the house.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span>This early 20th century Mimico house is now in jeopardy as a developer has recently purchased it and has applied to spit the lot it sits on in order to build two new houses. If that application is granted a demolition permit will be soon to follow, if not already applied for. A hearing before the Committee of Adjustment is scheduled for February 23, 2021. The agenda can be found </span><a href="https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/8c49-CommitteeofAdjustment-Etobicoke-York-Hearing-Agenda-February-23-2021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">here</span></a><span>. See items </span><a href="http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=gzHPVYcvYtmZNu3AF2ItOw%3D%3D" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">28A</span></a><span>, </span><a href="http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=biyhcXnXhaFgVd2etfyUZA%3D%3D" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">28B</span></a><span> and </span><a href="http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=z9ijPyE4KvQMF%2FI8mvO7mA%3D%3D" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">28C</span></a><span>.</span></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update February 23, 2021</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">At the Committee of Adjustment today the matter was deferred until March 23, 2021. The agenda can be found <a href="https://www.toronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/8f14-CommitteeofAdjustment-Etobicoke-York-Hearing-Agenda-March-23-2021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">here</span></a>. See items <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=gzHPVYcvYtmZNu3AF2ItOw%3D%3D" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">46A</span></a>, <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=biyhcXnXhaFgVd2etfyUZA%3D%3D" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">46B</span></a> and <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=z9ijPyE4KvQMF%2FI8mvO7mA%3D%3D" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">46C</span></a>.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update March 23, 2021</u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Heritage Planning has determined that the house does not qualify for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. In part the report reads as follows:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div>"Robert Murray Herod is identified in Mimico directories as the Head of Herod Construction. The company was responsible for the masonry work on a number of buildings in the western suburbs of Toronto during the early-20th century, including the house directly south of the subject property at 180 Queens Avenue (c.1912) which was built for Herod's son and business partner, Archibald.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Herod family's contribution to their community and to their country with the enlistment of three sons in the First World War and the tragic loss of one, whose sacrifice is included on the Vimy Memorial, all have historical and associative value; however, this intangible heritage alone does not make the existing house form building at 182 Queens Avenue a significant heritage resource or worthy of designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are, however, other historical properties associated with Robert Herod and Herod Construction, including Connaught Hall (1917) at 23 Superior Avenue (identified in the City's Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Study), as well as the Port Credit Post Office (1931) at 31 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga (Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act) that are good representatives of Herod's contribution to the history and development of Mimico.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heritage staff have undertaken an evaluation according to Ontario Regulation 9/06 (the provincial criteria to determine cultural heritage value or interest and prescribed for municipal designation that the City also applies to properties being assessed for its Heritage Register) and determined that there is insufficient</div><div>evidence to meet the criteria for designation under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act or inclusion on the City's Heritage Register.</div><div><br /></div><div>The policies in the City's Official Plan and within Provincial planning policy require that significant heritage resources are conserved. As the subject property does not comply with the criteria for designation it does not constitute a significant heritage resource. The proposals therefore do not affect significant heritage resources and as such Heritage Planning have no comments with regard to the proposed minor variance and consent applications."</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Update March 24, 2021</u></div><div>Yesterday the Committee of Adjustment approved the requested applications to sever the lot in two and construct two new houses with conditions.</div><div><br /></div></span></div>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-39188378662212355032021-02-13T11:30:00.007-08:002021-03-29T03:15:34.201-07:00St Leo Roman Catholic School Redevelopment Proposal - 165 Stanley Avenue<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">In January 2019 the Toronto District Catholic School Board applied to the City of Toronto to redevelop the St. Leo's Roman Catholic School site at 165 Stanley Avenue. You can view the application <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/DevelopmentApplications/associatedApplicationsList.do?action=init&folderRsn=4506457&isCofASearch=false&isTlabSearch=false" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">here</span></a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI4ZSmFma6M-yn81dUSsO-lPkGHYDEVWyRFYNhzEZ-GGSmhlCB8Ir4imqcWUyjXDLgJ_V9TAO8SlGbrvVmCUxOb2fD6ja69t06MRxfplPHCVlEGCXM6Ao9VEgHdCPqU-9fcHFeol906lL/s1600/st+Leo%2527s+school+redevelopment.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1600" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI4ZSmFma6M-yn81dUSsO-lPkGHYDEVWyRFYNhzEZ-GGSmhlCB8Ir4imqcWUyjXDLgJ_V9TAO8SlGbrvVmCUxOb2fD6ja69t06MRxfplPHCVlEGCXM6Ao9VEgHdCPqU-9fcHFeol906lL/s320/st+Leo%2527s+school+redevelopment.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Rendering of St Leo's School Redevelopment - courtesy of Kohn Shiner Architects</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The redevelopment proposal would retain and restore the original 1926 school building and link it to a new three storey building to be built to the south. The later additions to the original 1926 school building would be demolished.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The architect of the original school building was <a href="http://mimicohistory.blogspot.ca/2011/12/dr-william-woods-house-41-superior.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: orange;">Dr. William J Woods</span></a>, a Mimico Dentist. Dr Woods had a long involvement with the education sector in Mimico including being a member of the Public School Board, the High School Board and the Separate School Board. He based the design of the new St. Leo's Roman Catholic School on the existing <span style="color: #ffa400;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6075516,-79.5818866,3a,46.8y,256.75h,93.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sO1RU9hky0rAWFKrj1Y0aiA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Public School</span></a> </span>on Dixie Road just south of Dundas Street in Toronto Township (present day City of Mississauga). </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">According to “We Remember, We Believe: A History of Toronto’s Catholic Separate School Boards, 1841-1997” by Robert T Dixon, “The Mimico RCSS [Roman Catholic School Section] Board, formed in February 1926, had opened St. Leo that same year with the teaching and administrative assistance of the CSJ [Community of St. Joseph (Sisters)]. The Board served Mimico’s Catholic children and those residing in Etobicoke and New Toronto within three miles of St. Leo's. The trustees had promised that they would never raise taxes; that promise had kept the board from amalgamating with the TSSB and TSSSB." </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"In 1967 a group of parents in Mimico asked Art Arbour, an MSSB teacher, to run for trustee so that he would bring about amalgamation with the MSSB. They were paying tuition to send their children to Michael Power/St. Joseph. Since in 1968 the MSSB had assumed responsibility for grades nine and ten in all of Metro Toronto’s Catholic high schools, amalgamation would render grades nine and ten free for Mimico’s Catholic students." </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"The group kept showing up at board meetings until in 1968 Arbour got the Mimico RCSS Board to pass a motion to join the MSSB.” (pg 285) The amalgamation became effective January 1, 1969. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">According to the heritage report by ERA Architects: "</span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The interior of the 1926 school building is proposed to be restored to </span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">its original configuration and rehabilitated to suit future programmatic </span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">needs, including the introduction of a central Learning Commons, </span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">modernization of classroom facilities, and accessibility upgrades." </span><br />
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<span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The application to the city is currently being reviewed by planning staff.</span><div><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">On October 30, 2020 the Toronto Preservation Board designated the original school building under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i>. You can download the staff report <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2020.PB18.3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ffa400;">here</span></a>. The decision was subsequently adopted by both the Etobicoke York Community Council and Toronto City Council.</span></div><div><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">The original 1926 building will be protected and preserved for the future.</span></div>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-3265812982930034002017-02-02T05:59:00.000-08:002017-02-02T12:40:47.558-08:00Mimico - Judson Regeneration Areas Study - Heritage Buildings Demolished<span style="font-size: large;">I have struggled to write a posting for this as it was such a disaster for built heritage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So lets start from the beginning. In December of 2013 Toronto City Council adopted an official plan amendment proposing to redesignate the lands near the Mimico GO Station and a portion of lands to the west of Royal York Road as "Regeneration Areas".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Council directed staff to begin a study of the Mimico-Judson Regeneration Area to provide for a plan for its revitalization.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As part of the planning process I identified two properties that I felt warranted further study for their heritage potential. In the end both would be demolished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I identified the buildings at 49 and 53 Judson Street (</span><span style="font-size: large;">Dominion Abrasive Wheel Grinding Company Complex)</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and 1 Audley Street (Mitchell and Dorst Building - though best known as the Schindler Company of Canada Building). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As part of their work the city's consultants, as well as city staff, concurred and identified both</span><span style="font-size: large;"> historical industrial properties as being "character" buildings potentially worthy of protection and preservation in their planning documents. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite this the owner/developer of 49 and 53 Judson Street (Dunpar Homes) applied for and was granted a demolition permit on December 11, 2015. The buildings were demolished in early 2016. How did this happen? Well, unlike residential buildings, demolition permits for commercial/industrial buildings are dealt with administratively by city staff and do not require approval from Community Councils. When reviewing applications for demolition city staff check the heritage registry to see if the building is listed or designated. Since the buildings on Judson had not yet been investigated for heritage potential (though there was a clear planning intent that the city would) they were not on the heritage registry and so there was no impediment to city staff in issuing the demolition permit. The permit was issued and the owner demolished the buildings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shockingly the same thing happened for the Mitchell and Dorst Building at 1 Audley Street. Again, despite the clear planning intent in all of the documents related to planning for this area, Freed Developments purchased the property in the summer of 2016, and then applied for a demolition permit. Since the same circumstances were in place city staff had no option but to issue the demolition permit and did so on September 12, 2016. Heritage staff at the city of Toronto this time were alerted and prioritized research on the property and made plans to bring a report forward to the next Toronto Preservation Board meeting scheduled for September 28, 2016. However, it was too late. With their demolition permit in hand Freed began demolition on the day of the meeting. The Toronto Preservation Board adopted the report but by then there was nothing left to preserve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The lesson from all this? When it comes to potential heritage resources identified in secondary plans and other planning documents in this city, especially if the buildings are not residential, it is critical that they be put on the city's heritage inventory as "listed" buildings as soon as possible in order to safeguard any issuance of demolition permits and give city staff time to assess the building to determine if it merits designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. </span><br />
<br />Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-68481519385270657472015-04-15T07:59:00.002-07:002021-03-19T18:41:49.663-07:00John Telfer House - 159 Stanley Avenue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRaYF8JZ_rG1nzSN8wIla6clBEbA-T_AHpDkOTLa8rHzokVlExZkxP-2BSyM2wsxcAnIZImZKKFyy0W-RdNWIGsvPIP2W1JN3k8sJ1KwKG1Riu3OrlkJbOieLv7ZRpWol_9woiduPeI4U/s1600/159+Stanley+Avenue+-+Mimico+-+4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRaYF8JZ_rG1nzSN8wIla6clBEbA-T_AHpDkOTLa8rHzokVlExZkxP-2BSyM2wsxcAnIZImZKKFyy0W-RdNWIGsvPIP2W1JN3k8sJ1KwKG1Riu3OrlkJbOieLv7ZRpWol_9woiduPeI4U/s400/159+Stanley+Avenue+-+Mimico+-+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">John Telfer House - 159 Stanley Avenue</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">© Michael Harrison 2011</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">John Telfer was born in Sommerville, Ontario in 1848. He was educated in Collingwood and later moved to Ingersoll where he married his wife Ann Telfer in 1883. They soon moved to Toronto and then to Mimico.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The home<span style="font-family: inherit;"> was designed</span></span></span> in the <span>Second Empire style</span><span style="color: #333333;"> with an impressive mansard roof<span style="font-family: inherit;">, it</span> still has its original dichromatic slate roo<span style="font-family: inherit;">f </span>design. It appears from the 1913 Goad's Fire Insurance Plan that the house was originally constructed of wood so a brick veneer must have been applied at a later date.<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-rvkjkZh30e94QIamcHhDLpREb028MMVz6eV2noZOZQ3MQbPt-GlKlY4CILIDUah08wEHxxwLqf9hUiSIgQyQjyNJk4pfzZcPiHlm0XaK-jNyVj2WarAUmH6RZhDIhaOZIdyfvU15oGk/s1600/James+Telfer+House+-+detail+-+Goads+-+Mimico+-+1913+-+sheet+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-rvkjkZh30e94QIamcHhDLpREb028MMVz6eV2noZOZQ3MQbPt-GlKlY4CILIDUah08wEHxxwLqf9hUiSIgQyQjyNJk4pfzZcPiHlm0XaK-jNyVj2WarAUmH6RZhDIhaOZIdyfvU15oGk/s400/James+Telfer+House+-+detail+-+Goads+-+Mimico+-+1913+-+sheet+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">John Telfer House - Goad's Fire Insurance Plan 1913</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">courtesy Library and Archives Canada</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The Telfers moved into the home and lived there for many years with their three children: Ella (b. 1884); Frances (b. 1886) and Cyril (b. 1892). John Telfer began working for the Northern Railway, and continued with the company after it was acquired by the Grand Trunk Railway in 1888. He retired from the railway in 1912 after a career of 50 years. He then began his second career in municipal government as the Mimico Town Clerk and Treasurer. He held that post until ill health forced him to lessen his work load and became the assistant treasurer in 1922. He died at work in the Mimico Town Hall on December 15, 1925.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyXRwSUX-JQqqkSDDQmJmC6ai-tdGCxsud6-aLXunU6jS2BkmHs5lGw2EctIIIKMSIw-BNVTCdLk5SIMCe69re-ikID94qXOai6Pl0ILj4lMRYosP7MjqONLQQNBdsbmnOu7CqeuFplTR/s1600/John+Alfred+Telfer+-+The+Story+of+Mimico+-+1935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyXRwSUX-JQqqkSDDQmJmC6ai-tdGCxsud6-aLXunU6jS2BkmHs5lGw2EctIIIKMSIw-BNVTCdLk5SIMCe69re-ikID94qXOai6Pl0ILj4lMRYosP7MjqONLQQNBdsbmnOu7CqeuFplTR/s400/John+Alfred+Telfer+-+The+Story+of+Mimico+-+1935.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Photo of John Alfred Telfer</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">courtesy of The Story of Mimico, by Edwin Eland, 1935</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">His widow continued to live in the house until her subsequent death. It was then that Cyril Telfer their son sold the home to m</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">y grandparents Lloyd and Kathleen Sauve in 1942 for the grand sum of $3,700. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My grandparents lived in the house, raising a large family of eleven children, until their deaths in 1982 after which the home was sold.</span></span></span></div>
Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-56135516566871532142012-11-08T06:04:00.005-08:002022-05-14T10:28:41.335-07:00Mimico Masonic Temple (Connaught Hall) - 23 Superior Avenue<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mimico Masonic Temple (Connaught Hall)</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">23 Superior Avenue</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">© Michael Harrison 2012</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7833px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year (2012) is the 100th anniversary of Connaught Masonic Lodge No. 501. Their home, the Mimico Masonic Temple at 23 Superior Avenue was evaluated as part of the </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: large;"><i>Mimico 2020
Revitalization Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment Report</i> released
October 2012. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">According to the report, the
Mimico Masonic Temple (Connaught Hall) is </span>an "imposing two-storey brick structure with a symmetrical three-bay façade,
divided by pilasters rising to a simple projecting entablature corbelled out from
the wall surface; brick on a concrete foundation with concrete or stone sills
and lintels, pressed metal cornice; entrance is very simple, marked with
Masonic symbols"<span lang="EN-GB">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: large;">The report indicates that the property “</span><span style="font-size: large;">merits
further study and evaluation as a potential BHR” (Built Heritage Resource).</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Further, the property has a “high” integrity of design. </span><span style="font-size: large;">(pg 88)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If any building in Mimico is worthy of protection under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i> the Mimico Masonic Temple is one of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Temple has a long history in the Town of Mimico. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">According to “<i>A Century of Freemasonry in Etobicoke</i>”, the first Lodge in the area
was the York Lodge established in 1863. By 1878 the Mimico Lodge was
constituted in Islington (not Mimico), and later moved to a permanent home in
Lambton Mills in 1882. In 1911 a:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“large number of members of
this Lodge residing in the Town of Mimico decided to form a new Lodge there;
the difficultly of travelling from this town to Lambton Mills was the main and
sufficient reason. The only means of
transportation being by driving, or if not the happy possessor of a horse and
carriage or a motor (and these latter were not nearly so plentiful as at
present) was to take the electric car and by a circuitous route through
Sunnyside and West Toronto, finally arriving at the destination by a ten minute
walk; the whole time consumed in going to and returning from Lodge being much
greater than the time spent there.
Accordingly, a few of the Brethren started a chapter list which soon had
forty-two names upon it. Among these
were the following of “Mimico” Lodge:
George S Brown, the first Master of the new Lodge; F. F. Reeves,
Octavius L. Hicks, P.H. Brown, J. Barnum, G.P. Richardson, J.W. Ruttan, John
Kay, Charles Aymer, Dr. Forbes Godfrey, M.L.A., and R. Elkin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .75in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.75in 0in 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .75in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.75in 0in 0.5in;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The consent of “Mimico” Lodge
was asked and cheerfully given at the meeting in October 1911. Dispensation and Charter followed in due
course. “Mimico” Lodge presented a copy
of the V.S.L. [Volume of Sacred Law], with their best wishes for a successful
career, to the new Lodge, which adopted the name, “Connaught” after H.R.H. Duke
of Connaught, Grand Master of the “United Grand Lodge of England”, and
Governor-General of Canada.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">Connaught Lodge was formally
instituted and constituted in 1912. T</span>he <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mimico</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Masonic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>
was built as a combination Masonic Hall/Theatre with the theatre on the lower
level and the Masonic Hall above. It housed the first theatre in the Lakeshore area. The
1919 reference in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Toronto</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place> directory (Mimico
section) has the building listed as “Connaught Theatre”. In the 1921 directory (Mimico section) it is
listed as both “Connaught Lodge” and “Connaught Theatre”. This double listing is also in the 1922
directory (Mimico section).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">The Connaught Lodge first met in rented quarters in the Heather Block on the Lake Shore Road at the foot of Mimico
Avenue. </span><span lang="EN-GB"> In the photo of the <a href="http://mimicosoldiers.blogspot.ca/2010/04/photo-of-soldiers-on-lake-shore-road.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">soldiers</span></a> you can see a small light globe with a
Masonic symbol on it on the building behind them. The building was demolished a few years ago and the land is now Mimico Square at Amos Waites Park.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -40.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB">It was not until 1917 that the members constructed a purpose built <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Masonic</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Superior Avenue</st1:address></st1:street>. It was built primarily as the home of Connaught
Lodge (No. 501) but eventually it served as the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Masonic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>
for three additional Lodges (four in total). The three additional lodges
were: </span>Long
Branch Lodge (No. 632); Anthony Sayer Lodge (No. 640) and Lake Shore Lodge (No.
645); all<span lang="EN-GB"> established in 1927.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">Connaught Lodge (No. 501) was the primary
lodge in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mimico</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Masonic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The membership was a who’s who list of
Mimico’s political and business elite. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It includes names such as:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<ul><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://mimicohistory.blogspot.ca/search?q=godfrey" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Dr. Forbes Godfrey</span></a> (local MPP and
first Ontario Minister of Health);</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">JH Doughty (Mayor of Mimico
1921-1925);</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">AD Norris (Mayor of Mimico
1933-1935, 1941-1942, 1946, 1949-1954; Reeve of Mimico 1943-1944-1945);</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">George R. Gauld (Superintendent of
the Victoria Industrial School, long time School Board Trustee – George R Gauld
School is named after him);</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://mimicosoldiers.blogspot.ca/2010/03/g-gauld.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">George W.G. Gauld</span></a> (WWI Flying Ace,
Town of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mimico</st1:city></st1:place>
solicitor for 40 years);</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">John Kay, (descendant of Mimico’s
first commuter – see </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Mimico Story</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">, </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">pg 50);</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Robert Skelton (First Reeve of
Mimico 1911-1912, Manager of Ontario Sewer Pipe Company);</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Octavius Hicks (prominent contractor
who built the <a href="http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=3026" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">first bowstring concrete truss bridg</span>e</a> span in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:state> over Etobicoke Creek;</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://mimicohistory.blogspot.ca/search?q=dods" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Andrew Dods</span></a> (First Clerk of Mimico,
Mimico Councillor, Member of the Mimico Public Utilities Commission, President
of Ontario Sewer Pipe Company, Mimico’s largest industry);</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://mimicohistory.blogspot.ca/search?q=west" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Louis J West</span></a> (Mayor of Mimico
1919-1920, Founding member and President of Toronto Stock Exchange)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://mimicohistory.blogspot.ca/2012/03/dr-john-serson-house-67-superior-avenue.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Dr John Serson</span></a> (Member [various years] as well as Chair Mimico High School Board 1933,
Prominent Surgeon);</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Jay
Barnun (First Assessor for Town of </span><st1:place style="text-indent: -0.25in;" w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mimico</st1:city></st1:place><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">); and,</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.rcdso.org/dispatch/Dispatch13_1.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Dr. K.F.Pownall</span></a> (Dentist, Registrar Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
1965-1990, Clinical Demonstrator University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry).</span></li>
</span></span></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
A well known member of the Anthony Sayer Lodge (No. 640) was:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span>
<br />
</span></span><br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">L.J. Ferrie
(Clerk and Treasurer, Town of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mimico, Councillor, Town of Mimico</st1:city></st1:place>)</span></li>
</span></span></span></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">Some names of the
Lake Shore Lodge (No. 645) included:</span></span><br />
</span></span><br />
<div>
<ul><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://mimicoestates.blogspot.ca/2011/02/horwood-estate.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Eric Horwood</span></a>, Architect, Horwood and White, son of J.C.B. Horwood, Architect. Eric</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">Horwood would undertake the renovation of
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mimico</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Masonic</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place>
(Connaught Hall) following the damage caused by fire in 1940;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">E.J.
Everett (long time Chairman of the Mimico Library Board – 25 years);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">W.H.
McBride (Principal George R. Gauld School 1942-1943, John English School
1942-1960);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">E.
Jarrett (WWI Veteran – including Vimy Ridge, co founder of Glendinning-Jarrett
Accounting – now part of Price Waterhouse; Auditor for the Town of Mimico for
over 40 years, Committee Member who worked on the Town of Mimico application to
Ontario Municipal Board for the establishment of a Metropolitan Form of
Government for Toronto – 1947- which led to the formation of Metropolitan
Toronto in 1953);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://www.hoglefuneralhomes.com/our_heritage.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">G.H. Hogle</span></a> (owner of G.H. Hogle Undertakers); and,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-indent: -0.25in;">Everett
Herbert Glenn, Principal of Mimico High School (25 years), Member, Mimico
Public Library Board.</span></li>
</span></span></ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This is by no means an
extensive listing of members of the various lodges that utilized the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mimico</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Masonic</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Temple</st1:placetype></st1:place> (Connaught Hall)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-GB">In addition to serving as a Masonic Temple, the building also served as a community hub with many local events taking
place in it such as banquets, wedding receptions, political rallies (including
some broadcast live on radio), charity events, a polling location for elections at
all levels of government, theatre, business meetings, concerts, plays, dances,
memorial services on November 11<sup>th</sup>, meetings of the Order of the
Eastern Star, charity events of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire,
Scout/Guide meetings, blood donor clinics and many public meetings. It also served as the location of the local
police court.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
Two sets of alterations are known to
have been made to the building. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 1936 alterations were made to “provide
Mimico with a more dignified courtroom” (</span><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Toronto
Star</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Feb 5, 1936). </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">More extensive alterations were made
in 1940 due to a fire which resulted in extensive damage ($6,000 worth
according to the </span><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Toronto Star</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> Dec 2, 1940). The prominent architectural firm
of Horwood and White was engaged to renovate the building. Eric Horwood, who lived in Mimico at “Quidi
Vidi” the family’s waterfront estate, and was a member of the Lake Shore Lodge,
undertook the work. The new building was
opened officially on September 3, 1940.
It included a separate wing for the local police court.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Details of the damage from the
1940 fire, and the renovation can be found in the Horwood Collection at the Archives of Ontario.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Mimico Masonic Temple, which sits proudly on Superior Avenue, continues to serve as the headquarters for the Connaught Lodge and the three other historic Masonic Lodges in Mimico today.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Designation of this building under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i> would ensure that this historically significant, dignified building continues to grace the community. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update October 6, 2021</u></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today the Toronto Preservation Board recommended that the property be listed under the Ontario Heritage Act. Hopefully full designation under the Act will be forthcoming soon.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update October 12, 2021</u></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today the Etobicoke York Community Council adopted the recommendation from the Toronto Preservation Board. The recommendation will now proceed to full Toronto City Council on November 9, 2021.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Update November 9, 2021</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Toronto City Council adopted the recommendation without debate. The property is now listed under the Ontario Heritage Act. Therefore Toronto Heritage Planning will be notified of any work or proposal on the property.</span></div></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">
</span></span>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-79340068040017674702012-10-20T03:43:00.004-07:002019-02-28T07:44:31.943-08:00Mimico Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The City of Toronto has posted the Mimico Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment report on the Mimico 2020 Revitalization webpage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Executive Summary reads as follows: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Executive Summary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The significance of Heritage Resources is recognized as a key component of the Mimico 20/20 </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Action Plan, requiring an inventory and evaluation of Built Heritage Resources (BHRs) Cultural </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Heritage Landscapes (CHLs) and potential Heritage Conservation Districts (PHCDs) within the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">area identified for revitalization, and in neighbourhoods adjacent to it. This Cultural Heritage </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Resource Assessment Report presents the findings of a comprehensive review of the Study Area </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">carried out during September to December 2011, and provides recommendations for the </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">integration of development with heritage resources in an appropriate and sensitive way, </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">according to the regulatory framework, current standards and guidelines for conservation best </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">practices, and the Performance Standards outlined in the Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A thematic history was compiled to identify key themes and trends in the history of Mimico to </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">provide a context for the community.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The study process identified 45 properties as BHRs, CHLs and/or PHCDs that should be </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">considered for listing on the City’s Heritage Inventory. They are presented in Data Sheets with </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">basic information and mapping. Detailed research and evaluation is recommended to determine </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">their heritage values as a basis for Statements of Significance in preparation for reference to </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">development proposals.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A copy of the report can be downloaded <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://preservedstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/final_cultural_heritage_resource_assessment.pdf" target="_blank">here</a></span>.</span>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-71733575935454318252012-05-14T05:36:00.000-07:002012-05-15T04:51:32.347-07:00Mrs Gooder's Charge Plate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLWFWZ_E151znRibwaZxM7M3MwH61T6q7EetuRM8isvEzQrUWyt71zgJKkKmLNEJax0nzg64ATj9GHp-3yH5JTcVYpx4Lq8J0sUHJN48wUiBnGSxKGGzWqjAIuu57tWLHNN4lst6AIqXo/s1600/Mrs+R+Gooder+-+Simpsons+Charge+Card+-+Mimico+-address+6+Lakeshore+Rd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLWFWZ_E151znRibwaZxM7M3MwH61T6q7EetuRM8isvEzQrUWyt71zgJKkKmLNEJax0nzg64ATj9GHp-3yH5JTcVYpx4Lq8J0sUHJN48wUiBnGSxKGGzWqjAIuu57tWLHNN4lst6AIqXo/s400/Mrs+R+Gooder+-+Simpsons+Charge+Card+-+Mimico+-address+6+Lakeshore+Rd.jpeg" width="383" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcv98TXtc-oAB3xcOfdpM5pM5RVw7djn_a0cckp3OUnmWNdUr9mibp4Zqfnwarngg2oTo3sns_IjUHJIwUAz_YBNF63uYbEJQR-7uF-sHGzRkLx0dvNZY41f34dm5pmUybarC8rSuEHGF0/s1600/Mrs+R+Gooder+-+Simpsons+Charge+Card+-+Mimico.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcv98TXtc-oAB3xcOfdpM5pM5RVw7djn_a0cckp3OUnmWNdUr9mibp4Zqfnwarngg2oTo3sns_IjUHJIwUAz_YBNF63uYbEJQR-7uF-sHGzRkLx0dvNZY41f34dm5pmUybarC8rSuEHGF0/s400/Mrs+R+Gooder+-+Simpsons+Charge+Card+-+Mimico.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mrs. Ross C Gooder's Charge Plate</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I recently acquired this interesting bit of Mimico history. An early charge plate (early credit card) for Simpson's owned by Mrs. Ross C. Gooder of 6 Lakeshore Road, Mimico.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Gooder's lived in a one storey wooden house on the north (west) side of the Lakeshore Road (present day Lake Shore Blvd. West) just within the Mimico municipal boundary.
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQFI_lvyJg2GnIVxHErjN0t2RST1PPGd0FLsjDaH33AdWQ9ywzAAs8geHJATl_jQUcUTo0IKXt5TjUIiMHquBcXZPGEuihCaKQjzyEInt2sb3f2SDI4ThotX95TCi-0K6MAO8U8I_ocLZ/s1600/Mrs+Ross+Gooder+House+-+Mimico+Goads+1922+revised+1932+-+Plate+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQFI_lvyJg2GnIVxHErjN0t2RST1PPGd0FLsjDaH33AdWQ9ywzAAs8geHJATl_jQUcUTo0IKXt5TjUIiMHquBcXZPGEuihCaKQjzyEInt2sb3f2SDI4ThotX95TCi-0K6MAO8U8I_ocLZ/s400/Mrs+Ross+Gooder+House+-+Mimico+Goads+1922+revised+1932+-+Plate+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Home of Mrs. Ross C. Gooder</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In the 1922 and 1932 Toronto city directories 6 Lakeshore Road, Mimico is listed as the home of Garnet J. Gooder, a tailor. He must be the father of Ross C. Gooder.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In <a href="http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/SplitView.jsp?id=50427"><span style="color: blue;">1911</span></a> the Garnet J. Gooder family was living at 541 Gladstone Avenue, Toronto. By 1918 they were living in Mimico but on the corner of Burlington Street and the Lakeshore Road. They appear to have moved to the home at 6 Lakeshore Road in about 1921.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The lot where the home was located is currently vacant. The home was demolished sometime in the past.</span></div>
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</span></span></span>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com02286-2290 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M8V 1A6, Canada43.619331783411184 -79.48647022247314543.618613283411186 -79.487704222473141 43.620050283411182 -79.485236222473148tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-34143460446205136082012-03-23T07:22:00.002-07:002019-02-28T07:44:50.268-08:00Louis J. West House - 17 Albert Avenue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMo0TqgPNhTHYiqYYz7n3YjNe3C_c-nks-4b7-noGBw9Eoy1JuY_1RWrJd6ea3wzLZldjyM32eW-HSZrC-GmMpM2k4WiTZcw20xAg0LVtaHLgmqjVVsr3k3fUxCv5fb_2AMP1hmEsDf5J/s1600/Louis+J+West+House+-+17+Albert+Avenue+-+March+2012+-+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMo0TqgPNhTHYiqYYz7n3YjNe3C_c-nks-4b7-noGBw9Eoy1JuY_1RWrJd6ea3wzLZldjyM32eW-HSZrC-GmMpM2k4WiTZcw20xAg0LVtaHLgmqjVVsr3k3fUxCv5fb_2AMP1hmEsDf5J/s400/Louis+J+West+House+-+17+Albert+Avenue+-+March+2012+-+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Louis J. West House - 17 Albert Avenue</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">© Michael Harrison 2012</span> <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This home was built for Louis J. West circa 1912. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Louis J. West was born in London, England in 1872 and immigrated to Canada with his parents James and Harriett West shortly thereafter. They settled in Toronto and James West worked as a butcher. Louis<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> was educated at </span><place style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;" w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Toronto</city></place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"> and later founded the brokerage firm of Louis J. West and Company. </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">On October 11, 1898 Louis married Ethel May Shafer, daughter of James and Mary Shafter. He moved to Mimico in about 1904 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">where he took an active part in the incorporation of Mimico as a police village in 1905</span><span style="font-size: large;">. At first he lived on Southampton Avenue (present day Cavell) and then Station Road before moving into his new house in 1912.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fgg8NrSRWYrXzpKO6Lz8bX8IDhM1zZF6stvh_wBpICykcWCDIwc2LY7aHSifkH412QP1Stbm_Omeh6ekFfPm7gCGfndiUcoKAHilsVu5x9hPiekrjdZp67gsWbvNOtsZQzEY-bRG2fOb/s1600/Louis+J+West+-+The+Story+of+Mimico+-+1935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Fgg8NrSRWYrXzpKO6Lz8bX8IDhM1zZF6stvh_wBpICykcWCDIwc2LY7aHSifkH412QP1Stbm_Omeh6ekFfPm7gCGfndiUcoKAHilsVu5x9hPiekrjdZp67gsWbvNOtsZQzEY-bRG2fOb/s400/Louis+J+West+-+The+Story+of+Mimico+-+1935.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">courtesy of </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The Mimico Story</i> </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333;">In 1919 he was elected Mayor of the town and held the post for two years. He was one of the founders, and one time president of the Toronto Stock Exchange. He retired from his brokerage firm in 1931 and then purchased the </span><a href="http://mimicoestates.blogspot.ca/2011/02/jermynwest-estate.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jermyn Estate</span></a><span style="color: #333333;"> on Mimico Beach. He died there on </span></span><date day="3" month="10" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;" w:st="on" year="1936">October 3, 1936</date><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">, leaving an estate valued at over $395,000. (</span> $</span><span style="font-size: large;">6,496,148.65 in 2012 dollars)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">The West family continued to live at the estate until they sold it to the Peckover family in 1945.</span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
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Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com017 Albert Ave, Toronto, ON M8V 1N1, Canada43.616380241715738 -79.48887348175048843.615661741715741 -79.490107481750485 43.617098741715736 -79.487639481750492tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-87539082320928921022012-03-09T03:30:00.009-08:002019-02-28T07:45:14.411-08:00Dr. John Serson House - 67 Superior Avenue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnArer50jqdJL3P-y9EtQ1xApsZKUUFDyrdmVZecKLRY8n0-RmoimiC_zQlR528vLBKDYU4htmrQ98Zi5WS5t_udOMwDB4dOJuXPRxpcr8I2lXE6aG-Gaf5F_w89PqupPcr4IfjbLDBXqg/s1600/67+Superior+Avenue+-+Dr+Serson+House+-+March+7+2012+-+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnArer50jqdJL3P-y9EtQ1xApsZKUUFDyrdmVZecKLRY8n0-RmoimiC_zQlR528vLBKDYU4htmrQ98Zi5WS5t_udOMwDB4dOJuXPRxpcr8I2lXE6aG-Gaf5F_w89PqupPcr4IfjbLDBXqg/s400/67+Superior+Avenue+-+Dr+Serson+House+-+March+7+2012+-+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Dr. John Serson House - 67 Superior Avenue</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 20px;">© Michael Harrison 2012</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">This fine home was built for Dr. John Serson circa 1912. It still has its original driving shed and stable in the backyard!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVDrk8rWGc4FIZD92H1ugGpg75CNXYJM-eZfAFedf9AEpWN9ugTcFjsBEU-kAi46WWoxdfwgv-G26hyqXeUDmsUvk-onSEMvYTaZ2mN2qMVWByuJABlT7jkB02uxEZEy7avPUhIa8lFt_/s1600/67+Superior+Avenue+-+Dr+Serson+House+-+March+7+2012+-+Shed+in+rear+yard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVDrk8rWGc4FIZD92H1ugGpg75CNXYJM-eZfAFedf9AEpWN9ugTcFjsBEU-kAi46WWoxdfwgv-G26hyqXeUDmsUvk-onSEMvYTaZ2mN2qMVWByuJABlT7jkB02uxEZEy7avPUhIa8lFt_/s400/67+Superior+Avenue+-+Dr+Serson+House+-+March+7+2012+-+Shed+in+rear+yard.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Dr. Serson's Driving Shed and Stable</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; line-height: 20px;">© Michael Harrison 2012</span> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9kaNehe8zS_XD94qum3pPjyX2eJyxd0Nr6p2ImOQJvYm3g6dRb1vfQ4YcLGM2Jm4uz0v9tWJIbBeMZbDb4HVs-szpKDJu2bSHFpm7FbYJhYRQjYZZVlOSAfcyY7PDOGptezgyF63zZSe/s1600/Dr+Serson+House+-+67+Superior+Avenue+-+excerpt+from+Goads+-+Mimico+-+1913+-+sheet+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9kaNehe8zS_XD94qum3pPjyX2eJyxd0Nr6p2ImOQJvYm3g6dRb1vfQ4YcLGM2Jm4uz0v9tWJIbBeMZbDb4HVs-szpKDJu2bSHFpm7FbYJhYRQjYZZVlOSAfcyY7PDOGptezgyF63zZSe/s400/Dr+Serson+House+-+67+Superior+Avenue+-+excerpt+from+Goads+-+Mimico+-+1913+-+sheet+8.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Dr Serson's House - 1913 Goad's Fire Insurance Plan for Mimico</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">courtesy Library and Archives Canada</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Dr. Serson was born in Ridgetown, Kent County, Ontario on May 20, 1878 to James Serson and Elizabeth Cooper. He grew up on the family farm but later attended the University of Toronto where he graduated with his medical degree in 1905. He moved to Mimico by 1907 living on Southampton Avenue (present day Cavell Avenue). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">On June 3, 1908 he was married to Lillian Rowntree at the Methodist Church in Weston. They would later have two children - John (b. 1910) and Marion (b. 1912). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">The Serson family moved into their new house on Superior Avenue in 1912.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5cMlSpt195b1jCJ3hjZ9dz8z55F1nIztj3-LgbXXclpx7uzxRoEUzbrO4Z__r5K_u7lLavr74L9KBW_pvWg1hyphenhyphenliSMhTyhScR0VlKqDD42Zi2x4N8BEtDM-tkbabgHZ18tdNaO9zWf93/s1600/Dr+John+R+Serson+-+The+Story+of+Mimico+-+1935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5cMlSpt195b1jCJ3hjZ9dz8z55F1nIztj3-LgbXXclpx7uzxRoEUzbrO4Z__r5K_u7lLavr74L9KBW_pvWg1hyphenhyphenliSMhTyhScR0VlKqDD42Zi2x4N8BEtDM-tkbabgHZ18tdNaO9zWf93/s400/Dr+John+R+Serson+-+The+Story+of+Mimico+-+1935.jpg" width="328" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> Dr. John Serson</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">He was a founding member of the Mimico Horticultural Society, and was a member of the Masonic Order Connaught Lodge. He was a well known surgeon at both St. Joseph's and Grace Hospitals. When telephone service came to the area in 1914 he was given telephone number 1. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">They lived at 67 Superior Avenue until he purchased the </span><a href="http://mimicoestates.blogspot.com/2011/03/beamish-estate.html" style="line-height: 20px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">Beamish Estate</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"> on Mimico Beach in 1926.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333;">In 1933 a public banquet was held to thank him for his many years of community service. By 1935 failing health forced him to retire from public life. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">He died in his sleep at his home at the age of 61 years on May 29, 1939. Dr. Serson was remembered for his 32 years of service to the Mimico both as a physician and community leader. He took an active interest in the development of educational facilities in Mimico, including the construction of Mimico High School. He was also a member of the public school board for eight years. On May 30, 1939 Mimico Town Council observed two minutes of silence in his memory.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;"><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">His funeral on June 1 1939, began with a private service at his Mimico Beach estate conducted by Rev Black of Wesley United Church with Rev. Fingland of Niagara Falls, former minister of the church. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">This was followed by a public service in Wesley United Church on Mimico Avenue that was attended by hundreds of people. Mimico High School was closed for the afternoon so that students could attend. The casket was banked with floral tributes from public bodies in Mimico, New Toronto, Long Branch and Toronto with which he had been associated. These included the municipal councils of Mimico and New Toronto, students of Mimico High School, Lakeshore Lodge, Connaught Lodge, Mimico High School Board, Mimico Public School Board, Wardens and members of York County Council, Nobles of Ramses Temple, Toronto, St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary, graduates and staff of St. Joseph's Hospital, St. Joseph's Clinical Society, student nurses at St. Joseph's Hospital, Ontario Liberal Association, West York Liberal Association, Mimico Liberal Association, High Park Bowling Club, West Park Independent Order of Odd Fellows, New Toronto Liberal Association, Mimico Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire, Rotary Club and many other organizations. Provincial and Mimico police cars headed the cortege of 200 cars to </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 20px;">Park Lawn Cemetery where a Masonic service was held at the grave.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-77598213492897431822012-02-10T19:28:00.006-08:002019-02-28T07:46:38.233-08:00Wesley Mimico United Church - 2 Station Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85ESsXEmBbdDBvp_1YEk8fuKIIMxKUVwintkZCHndFWdWyCLcQPqv9k7d5HbYbJGJCDrbDzFBAvdsbcPlH3a1UTz3vBUCOdpeH3GjExLnSGQtmNBhWLlgx8d3-1Olvdds_YuLPjiYd1R9/s1600/Wesley-Mimico_United_Church+-+wikipedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85ESsXEmBbdDBvp_1YEk8fuKIIMxKUVwintkZCHndFWdWyCLcQPqv9k7d5HbYbJGJCDrbDzFBAvdsbcPlH3a1UTz3vBUCOdpeH3GjExLnSGQtmNBhWLlgx8d3-1Olvdds_YuLPjiYd1R9/s400/Wesley-Mimico_United_Church+-+wikipedia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Wesley Mimico United Church - 2 Station Road</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2012 Wesley Mimico United Church will be celebrating its 150th anniversary. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, the church appears to be celebrating its anniversary by proposing the demolition of the historic building except for the tower, and building a seniors residence on the property. While seniors housing is a laudable goal it should not be at the expense of this historic building. </span><span style="font-size: large;">They have not yet made a formal planning application to the city but this is currently what they are contemplating, as far as I understand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wesley Methodist Church (as it was originally known) has a long history in Mimico. The first church was built shortly after the property on Church Street (Royal York Road today) was acquired in 1862. This building accommodated the congregation until 1922 when it became too small. The congregation then began construction of a new church on Station Road at Mimico Avenue. The old church building was then sold to the Town of Mimico and became the municipal offices and council chamber.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wesley Mimico United Church is a significant architectural and historical building in the former Town of Mimico. Contextually, as a church placed on a corner lot at a major intersection in the neighbourhood, Wesley Mimico United Church is a landmark in the Mimico community. It is an integral part of the institutional corridor of Mimico Avenue with its public schools and churches. Wesley Mimico United Church is historically, visually and physically linked to its surroundings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The original church on this property was built in 1922. The architect was the renowned John Charles Batstone Horwood, assisted by his son Eric Horwood. As members of the congregation when the family was in residence at their summer estate on Mimico Beach, the Horwoods (father and son) would have ensured that the church was of excellent design and materials. The 1953 addition to the church which extended it closer to Mimico Avenue was designed by Eric Horwood, JCB's son alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I discovered what the church was contemplating I contacted them and informed them that the building is listed under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act </i>and suggested that they should be looking at all possible arrangements within the existing structure, including seeking tenants or co-owners for various parts of the building. I suggested that they should be publicizing the fact that they have a church building for which they are looking for partners in order to reach any potential collaborators in the protection and preservation of this important structure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The building is currently listed under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i> but really needs to be designated under the act in order to preserve this important building for the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully, the church will be open to any potential ideas that allow the current historic building to be retained while at the same time allowing for new uses. This would allow the church to seek the new uses that they are looking for, while still retaining this historical and architecturally significant landmark building in Mimico.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a "listed" building the heritage planning professionals at the city are undoubtedly researching the building to determine if it should be designated under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i>. However I have ensured this review by submitting a formal application for the building to be designated under the <i>Ontario Heritage Ac</i>t. The heritage planning professionals will now review the attributes of the building against the criteria in the act to determine if designation under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i> is merited or not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>What you can do</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">You can send letters/emails of support to the Etobicoke-York Community Preservation Panel. These can be sent to: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chair Mary Louise Ashbourne</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 23px;">Etobicoke-York Community Preservation Panel</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 23px;">Swansea Town Hall,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 23px;">95 Lavinia Avenue,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 23px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 23px;">Toronto, ON M6S 3H6</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">email: mashbour [at] idirect [dot] com</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Please also copy local Councillor Mark Grimes. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:councillor_grimes@toronto.ca" style="background-color: white; color: black; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">councillor_grimes@toronto.ca</a>. If you could also copy me at mimicohistory [at] hotmail [dot] com that would be greatly appreciated.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">A growing number of Mimico residents are coming together to protect Wesley Mimico United Church and persuade its congregation to stop explorations and development plans that involve the demolition of one of our community’s most architecturally and historically significant buildings. You can visit their website by clicking </span><a href="http://savewesley.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a><span style="color: #333333;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Update: June 29, 2012</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On June 25, 2012 the Church released a new design proposal that includes a redesign of the interior of the church within the existing walls, along with additions to accommodate future church, community and seniors housing. You can view a slide presentation of the proposal by clicking <a href="http://savewesley.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/wesley-mimico-june-26-2012-repurpose-renew-add.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. This new proposal is certainly more respectful of the building's heritage. It will be important to ensure that any additions and alterations to the church buildings are complementary and not detrimental to this important community landmark. Of course this is all preliminary and in the early stages of review. However the movement from the original proposal to demolish the church except for the bell tower is encouraging. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Update: May 15, 2013</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Mimico Residents Association held a meeting on the proposed redevelopment of the Church site. There was a question and answers session during which the proponent responded to written questions. The Minutes of the meeting, including the questions and answers can be found <a href="http://www.mimicoresidents.ca/public-meeting-wednesday-may-15-2013-re-wesley-mimico-united-church-redevelopment/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><b>Update: June 11, 2013</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The development proposal for the Church is proceeding to the Etobicoke-York Community Council Meeting of June 18, 2013. The Toronto Planning staff <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2013.EY25.14" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">report</span></a> provides preliminary information on the application and seeks Community Council's directions on further processing of the application and on the community consultation process. A community consultation meeting is targeted for Fall, 2013. The statutory Public Meeting is expected to be held in the first quarter of 2014, provided the applicant provides all required information and addresses staff comments in a timely manner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Heritage Preservation Services will be examining the proposal from a heritage point of view. This includes the request to designate the building and appropriate interiors under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i>. Having reviewed the application I have the following questions which I have passed along to Heritage Preservation Services: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Alteration to Roof:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In the Heritage Impact Assessment they state that: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“the proposed re-purposing of the building essentially conserves its heritage value to the community and does not remove or substantially alter its character-defining elements, with the exception of the lower portion of the Mimico Ave. frontage”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However they are radically altering the existing roof of the structure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The <i>Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada</i> <a href="http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/pages/standards-normes.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">published</span></a> by Parks Canada which, as they note, is the document guiding the planning, stewardship and conservation approach for all listed (of which the Church building is one) and designated heritage resources in the City of Toronto; and which they used to assess the impact of the repurposing on the heritage elements of the building states on page 139:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“The roof is also an important architectural feature that contributes to a building’s form and aesthetics.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With regard to any proposed alteration of existing roofs the Parks Canada Standard states the following on page 143:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Recommended: <i> Modifying or replacing a roof or roof element, to accommodate </i></span><span style="font-size: large; font-style: italic;">an expanded program, a new use, or applicable codes and regulations, in a manner that respects the building’s heritage value.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Not Recommended: <i> Constructing an addition that requires removing a character-defining roof. Changing the configuration of a roof by adding new elements, such as dormer windows, vents or skylights, in a manner that negatively affects its heritage value.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The radical changes to the roofline that they are proposing “remove a character-defining roof”. Therefore how is this consistent with and compatible with the <i>Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada</i>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Alteration of Main Entrance/Proposed Addition:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">They are proposing to remove the existing front entrance to construct a new addition obscuring it and relocating it to the east side of the building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The <i>Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada</i> published by Parks Canada states the following on page 132 with regard to additions or alterations to the exterior form:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Parks Canada recommends: <i> </i><i>Selecting the location for a new addition that ensures that the heritage value of the place is maintained.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Parks Canada does not recommend:<i> </i><i>Constructing a new addition that obscures, damages or destroys character-defining features of the historic building, such as relocating the main entrance.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While the report acknowledges that the addition in this location has an impact, it minimizes it. How can they say that the proposal “will not detract from, but build on the character and significance of this heritage property” when the proposed addition on the south side of the building and the alteration to create a new entrance (even if original) are clearly not recommended by Parks Canada’s <i>Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada</i>? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Proposed Addition to South Side of Building:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Heritage Impact Assessment states that: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“The new facade facing Mimico Avenue is designed to reflect this character-defining element, whereby the classical approach of three doorway arches will be recreated, repeating the symmetrical arrangement in an arcaded entrance.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Parks Canada recommends:<i> </i><i>Designing a new addition in a manner that draws a clear distinction between what is historic and what is new</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">They do not recommend:<i> </i><i>Duplicating the exact form, material, style and detailing of the original building in a way that makes the distinction between old and new unclear.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">How can they say that the proposal “will not detract from, but build on the character and significance of this heritage property” when their design approach to the new south addition is clearly not recommended by Parks Canada’s <i>Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada</i>? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Proposed Addition to North Side of Building:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There is minimal data available in the Heritage Impact Assessment on the proposed addition in the existing parking lot to the north. With regard to new additions Parks Canada recommends in <i>Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada</i>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Designing a new addition in a manner that draws a clear distinction between what is historic and what is new</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">They do not recommend: <i>Duplicating the exact form, material, style and detailing of the original building in a way that makes the distinction between old and new unclear.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Further Parks Canada recommends: <i>Designing an addition that is compatible in terms of materials and massing with the exterior form of the historic building and its setting.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">They do not recommend: <i>Designing a new addition that has a negative impact on the heritage value of the historic building.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">How has the north addition been designed to be consistent with these principles?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><u>Alterations to the Interior:</u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Heritage Impact Assessment states that the redevelopment approach includes:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“renovate the interior space completely, while conserving as many heritage attributes as possible”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What are the “many heritage attributes” and how will they be conserved as part of the complete “renovation” of the interior space which is essentially the obliteration of the existing interior and its replacement with parking in the basement and up to three stories of residential above?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>Update June 12, 2013</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Mimico Residents Association has just posted the comments provided by Heritage Preservation Services (HPS) on the Church development proposal. You can download them <a href="http://www.mimicoresidents.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HPS-signed-1st-circulation-comments.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. HPS staff have identified the same concerns that I have expressed as well as additional ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The conclusion of the memo states:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The current proposal demonstrates a level of intervention that cannot be supported by staff. </span><span style="font-size: large;">However, there may be opportunities to rehabilitate the building with modifications to the current </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">proposal that would limit the impact on the heritage attributes. Staff is hopeful that these issues can </span><span style="font-size: large;">be resolved through further discussion with the applicant in conjunction with a revised proposal that </span><span style="font-size: large;">is consistent with generally-accepted heritage conservation standards and principles. </span><span style="font-size: large;">An objective and complete Heritage Impact Assessment should accompany any revisions to the </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">proposal. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Staff will be recommending designation of the property at 2 Station Road under the provisions of </span><span style="font-size: large;">Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update September 24, 2013</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The city of Toronto Planning Department is proceeding with a report to the October 3, 2013 meeting of the Toronto Preservation Board recommending that Wesley Mimico United Church be designated under Part IV of the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A copy of the staff report with the detailed evaluation and rationale for the intent to designate can be found <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2013.PB25.2" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. Letters of support can be addressed to "Chair Saunders and Members of Toronto Preservation Board" and can be emailed to Janette Gerrard, the committee secretary at jgerrar [at] toronto [dot] ca.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update October 4, 2013</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At its meeting on October 3, 2013, the Toronto Preservation Board adopted the recommendation that Wesley Mimico United Church be designated under Part IV of the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i> with a small amendment that removed the interior from the list of historical attributes. The recommendation will now proceed to the next meeting of the Etobicoke-York Community Council on October 17, 2013 for consideration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update October 18, 2013</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At its meeting of October 17, 2013, the Etobicoke-York Community Council unanimously adopted the amended recommendation from the Toronto Preservation Board that the city declare its intent to designate the Wesley Mimico United Church under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i>. The recommendation will now proceed to the Toronto City Council meeting of November 13, 2013 for consideration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update November 13, 2013</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At its meeting of November 13, 2013, Toronto City Council adopted the amended recommendation from the Etobicoke-York Community Council that the city declare its intent to designate the Wesley Mimico United Church under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next step is for the city to notify the owner, and issue a notice of the intent to designate the property under the Act. If there are no appeals against the intent to designate the property during the appeal period (30 days) the City will bring forward the bylaw designating the property under the <i>Ontario Heritage Act</i> at a later date (usually a few months). If there is an appeal then there will be a hearing before the Conservation Review Board. The Board will hear evidence and issue a decision. The decision is final.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update May 30, 2014</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Thursday June 5th the Toronto Preservation Board will consider a report from Heritage Preservation Services on the Church's proposal to alter the building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Church has been working on a plan for the past few years in order to re-imagine itself, and redevelop the building to provide senior's housing, worship and community space</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The report can be found <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2014.PB32.3" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will be writing in support of the proposed conditions to approval, as they relate to the treatment of the heritage elements of the building, including the oversight that Heritage Preservation Services staff will have as the development moves through the Site Plan Approval Stage and construction, which includes, among other things, the placing of a Heritage Easement on the building to protect it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course this is all conditional on Etobicoke York Community Council and Toronto City Council giving its approval to the proposed development later in June. I am not taking a position on the planning aspects of the proposed development.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Should you wish to provide comments to the Toronto Preservation Board they can be addressed to "Robert Saunders, Chair and Members of the Toronto Preservation Board" and emailed to jgerrar@toronto.ca</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Update June 6, 2014</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The recommendations were adopted by the Toronto Preservation Board at their meeting of June 5, 2014. They will now track with the planning staff report on the development application to the Etobicoke York Community Council meeting of June 17, 2014. The planning staff report for the proposed development can be found <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2014.EY34.5" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>. Planning staff are recommending approval of the proposed redevelopment of the building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update June 17, 2014</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today the Etobicoke-York Community Council adopted the planning staff report related to the development application, as well as the recommendations from the Toronto Preservation Board. Both reports will proceed to Toronto City Council on July 8, 2014 for consideration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update July 8, 2014</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Toronto City Council has adopted the recommendation from Etobicoke-York Community Council.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update January 20, 2016</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today it was announced by Wesley Mimico United Church that they were cancelling the project. They posted the following on their website:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On January 14th, the Board unanimously passed the following motion:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">In spite of persistent efforts and many successes in overcoming obstacles along the way toward full implementation of the Project Vision, and, in light of the current status of the renewal project, </span><span style="font-size: large;">The Board of Wesley Mimico Place regretfully resolves to wind down the renewal project </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">and instructs management to take the necessary steps toward appropriate conclusion of this work.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A hard, disappointing decision! But a responsible decision given a funding gap, insufficient sales of units, and unachievable construction loan requirements.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Update - June 7, 2016</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On June 14, 2016 Etobicoke-York Community Council will consider an <a href="http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2016.EY15.6" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">item</span></a> to revoke the planning approval for the project since they have been notified by the Board of Wesley Mimico Place that the project will not be proceeding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Update - January 1, 2017</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The building has been sold and a Montessori School is setting up in the church. I understand that the new owner is working with Heritage Preservation Planning staff at the city on the renovations. However, despite the fact that the stain glass windows were part of the designation under the Ontario Heritage Act prior to the sale the church illegally removed them from the building. City staff have decided not to pursue this violation.</span></div>
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Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-79136334343455816492012-01-24T06:23:00.003-08:002021-02-28T16:25:36.775-08:00Nathaniel Annable House - 12 Eastbourne Crescent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOk0Ec5bBK5hnY_6D3xGl32UFObp9pwer7gGj-Jny_KlEdMIGvC8HyqJnseziQQv8F46jt-pxVY-0dqYGsjscAzHm4cRJPrDKwURa_Ad7TzOWOQ8HC1S7wdfW1A6edj6K0G0P2_MWLd1v/s1600/12+Eastbourne+Cres+-+Nathaniel+Annable+House+-+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOk0Ec5bBK5hnY_6D3xGl32UFObp9pwer7gGj-Jny_KlEdMIGvC8HyqJnseziQQv8F46jt-pxVY-0dqYGsjscAzHm4cRJPrDKwURa_Ad7TzOWOQ8HC1S7wdfW1A6edj6K0G0P2_MWLd1v/s400/12+Eastbourne+Cres+-+Nathaniel+Annable+House+-+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Nathaniel Annable House - 12 Eastbourne Crescent</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">© Michael Harrison 2012</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Located in Crescent Point this beautiful house was built for Nathaniel Annable in 1928 at a cost of $5,000. However its design and style made it look much older, leading to it being mistakenly identified as built in the 1850s which led to it being listed as an Etobicoke century home in the publication <i>Sidelights of History</i> published in 1975.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Nathaniel Annable was the son of Charles Annable and born in Salem, </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Massachusetts</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> in 1891. The family immigrated to Canada about 1917 and owned and operated the Donnell and Mudge Tannery in New Toronto.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">In <i>New Toronto In Story and Picture</i> from 1937 the tannery is described as follows:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>Back in 1918, the Donnell and Mudge tannery had its beginning in the town and through the years has grown to a leading position in the industry turning out annually millions of feet of leather of all kinds. Reputedly one of the largest sheepskin tanners in the Dominion, the company by means of specialized processing, embossing and spray painting can turn out any number or (sic) beautifully-patterned leathers conforming with amazing exactness to the skins of all manner of animals from the shell-like rino to the fine-grained pin seal leather. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><i>From all corners of the world comes the hide and skins used by the company. In the modern three storey building equipped with the best machinery available, the evil-smelling hides are transformed into the most ornate and beautiful designs with many of the leather products eventually finding their way to milday's dressing table. Charles H Annable is the head of this well-known firm.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">On June 22, 1931 Nathaniel Annable was married to Emily Mary Thornborough at St. Leo's Church. After the ceremony and reception they went on a motor honeymoon to New England, most likely so that Nathaniel could show his new wife his old stomping grounds in Salem, Massachusetts. <span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">They returned to live at 12 Eastbourne Crescent.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">In early 1942 the Annables sold the home to EJ Bairnstow for $7,500.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-29630702742400430242011-12-19T07:40:00.001-08:002021-03-15T17:42:52.133-07:00Crescent Point Subdivision - 1910<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Crescent Point Subdivision - <i>Toronto World</i> - July 31, 1910</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">White and Company Real Estate launched their Mimico Crescent Point subdivision in 1910. The land has a long history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Purchased from the <st1:city w:st="on">Mississauga</st1:city> nation as part of the Toronto Purchase in 1797, the property became part of Lot B, Range D Concession on <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Ontario</st1:placename></st1:place>. This lot, along with the much smaller <st1:place w:st="on">Lot</st1:place> A was granted by the Crown to Robert Gray on April 24, 1811. In 1824 these lands were seized by Samuel Ridout, Sheriff as part of a judgement against Robert Gray and sold to John Brown. In turn, John Brown passed the land on to Mary (Brown) Arthurs, his daughter, upon his death in 1835 and she sold them to a member of her family. The lands remained in the family for the next 39 years until they were purchased by Francis Hendry in 1874.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With the founding of the adjacent community of New Toronto in 1890 by the Mimico Real Estate Security Company, area land was in demand for residential development. William Pinkerton purchased the Hendry lands for $38,000 (approximately $750,000 today), paying a portion of the transaction in cash, with Hendry holding the remainder as a mortgage. He registered Plan 1056 for the area in 1890, then registered it again as Plan M 161 in 1891. However, with the severe depression that hit the economy in the mid 1890s Pinkerton was unable to keep up with the mortgage payments and the lands were taken back by the Hendry family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 1910 Hendry sold the lands to Joseph McNabb for $45,000 (approximately $900,000 today). McNabb registered his Crescent Point plan about a week later and launched the new subdivision at the end of the month. His marketing plan was one of exclusivity and </span>prestige, with statements like "It is the first high-class district west of High Park", and photos of a few of the "high-class homes in the District". Photos appearing in the large advertisement in the <i>Toronto World</i> included: Lynne Lodge (Fetherstonhaugh Estate), as well as the Hunter and Ormsby Estates.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In order to control the type of development that took place on the large waterfront lots, which were the showcase of the development concept, McNabb registered a covenant on title. The covenant, which was to last for a period of 20 years from the registration of the plan, stipulated that "no trade, business or manufacture" was to be permitted in the area. In addition, all homes had to be at least 50 feet from the street, no closer than 3 feet from the side lot line and cost a minimum of $ 4,500. Lands in the rest of the subdivision also contained restrictions for homes ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 each.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today homes in Crescent Point remain highly desirable. The area is well known for its narrow streets, grassed boulevards and tall trees. It would make a perfect Heritage Conservation District.</span></div>
Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-4542868192050455422011-12-15T09:12:00.000-08:002019-02-28T07:48:11.509-08:00Mimico Building Scandal - Judicial Inquiry 1961<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Report of His Honour Judge J. Ambrose Shea</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 1961 a Judicial Inquiry was called to examine the issuance of building permits and the enforcement of municipal by-laws after many examples of non-compliance were pointed out by various citizens. The findings of the Judicial Inquiry go a long way to explaining why Mimico looks the way it does today, especially the wall of apartments along the waterfront.</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>The Beginning</u>:</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It began with a series of articles in the <i>Toronto Star</i> by Pierre Berton in May 1961. The first article was entitled “<i>What’s Wrong in Mimico: The Strange Case of Mrs. Jackson</i>”, which laid bare the obstacles that had been placed in the way of Mrs. Jackson obtaining a building permit so that she could sell her lakefront land which was now surrounded by apartment blocks on all sides. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The article went on to outline what appeared to be troubling issues with the granting of building permits, and the conformity of finished buildings to the requirements in the permits within the Town of Mimico. In discussing the apartment built at <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">1 Superior Avenue</st1:address></st1:street>, and the violations of the building permit issued for its construction, the article concluded that: “<i>In short, the largest possible building has been squeezed on to the smallest piece of land. This may sound like a horrible example, but there are worse ones. If you’re one of a group of favored builders apparently you can almost get away with murder in Mimico. But if you are an elderly lady named Martha Jackson then you’ve got to toe the line.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As the pressure continued to build, the <i>Toronto Star</i> continued its coverage of the topic with two other articles by Pierre Berton, in addition to editorials. As a result, Mimico Council passed a resolution on May 29, 1961 to ask Judge J.A. Shea of the County Court of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">York</st1:placename></st1:place> to investigate further.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>The Judicial Inquiry</u>:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Judicial Inquiry began at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">John</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">English</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> in Mimico on July 17, 1961 and testimony wrapped up on August 8, 1961. There was a total of 15 days of hearings which heard from 46 witnesses. The inquiry was called to examine a number of issues but the two main ones were:</span></div>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“<i>the erection of buildings in the Town of </i><i><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mimico</st1:city></st1:place>, and the administration and enforcement of the restricted area and building By-laws in relation thereto, during the period from the 14<sup>th</sup></i><i> day of May 1953</i>.” </span></li>
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“<i>the sale, during the period from the 14</i><i><sup>th</sup> day of May, 1953, of any land owned by the Town of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mimico</st1:place></st1:city></i><i>.</i>”</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Following final arguments made by the lawyers at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Toronto</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City Hall</st1:placetype></st1:place> on September 22 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and October 18, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1961, Judge Shea then began his consideration of the evidence and began drafting his report. </span></span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Judge Shea's Report</u>:</span></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The report was issued on February 5, 1962 and made for very interesting reading.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It illuminated what can only be described as a dysfunctional municipal government that was lackadaisical and unprofessional in its management of the municipality, and the animosity of the various factions within the town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In commenting on the witnesses that testified, under oath, before him Judge Shea commented: “<i>This investigation was handicapped to a very material extent by the fact that much of the evidence given could not be believed. One is prepared to hear evidence that is coloured, distorted or exaggerated, but the evidence of this hearing was filled with half truths, concealment of facts, and untruths.</i>” He went on further: “<i>Feeling was high between the different factions, if not bitter, and witnesses seemed to be actuated by self-interest, or antagonism to others, or a desire at all costs to further the interests of the side they were supporting.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On the main issue of the erection of buildings in the town from 1953 to the present (1961) Judge Shea wrote: “<i>My conclusion is that very deplorable conditions existed in Mimico from 1950 to 1960. These conditions began more or less innocently, if one could use such a word in connection with the breaking of any law, even By-laws. At least they began without any intention on the part of members of Council or officials of any wrong doing. The situation at the beginning could be described in a few words:</i> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>1. The financial condition of the Town of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mimico</st1:city></st1:place> was very bad; </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>2. There was plenty of available vacant land; </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>3. There was no possibility of industrial development; </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>4. The only hope of increased assessment, with the consequent betterment of the financial situation, was in building of apartments and multiple family dwellings; </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>5. The attitude of Council, Building Inspectors, and others having to do with such matters, appears to have been that construction must be encouraged and that what appeared to be unnecessary obstructions and restrictions should not be put in the way of builders. For example, if a building was built, or was in the course of construction, and it should have been obvious that it was constructed in violation of a By-law, and if the violation was not, in the opinion of those concerned, a serious one, nothing was done about it.</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Judge Shea went on further: “<i>Some of the violations were apparently insignificant and unimportant at the beginning, but from these small beginnings of violations of the By-laws, the builders, real estate men, and the speculators took over. They took complete charge, and if they were not encouraged, they were certainly not interfered with or impeded, to any appreciable extent, by members of Council or officials.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“<i>When, as I have said, the builders took over, the violations of the By-laws became more flagrant and obvious. In my opinion the builders made no attempt whatever to conform with the Building By-laws and there was practically no supervision or interference by anyone.</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“<i>My conclusion is that a great many buildings were constructed contrary to the provisions of the existing By-laws; that these violations were known, or should have been known, to members of Council and the Building Inspector, in such a small municipality as Mimico. As one witness said: ‘everybody knew what was going on in Mimico.</i>’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On the issue of land sales Judge Shea stated: “<i>My conclusion is that the lands taken by the Town of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mimico</st1:place></st1:city> for unpaid taxes were sold in a very unbusinesslike and improvident manner. They were not sold in the way a private owner would have sold them. There was no sale sign on the property, no advertisements, no independent appraisals or valuations, and tenders were not called for. There is no evidence that any land was sold at a lower price that it should have been sold for, or in other words, that a higher price could have been obtained. There was nothing to indicate any malfeasance or unfair dealings by any member of the Council, or any employees, and nothing to indicate any favouritism, but that system of dealing with municipal property is open to very severe criticism. The transactions indicated a lack of knowledge or appreciation, or of indifference and apathy, on the part of members of Council and officials as to their duties and responsibilities.</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He made particular mention of several of the witnesses in his report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In regard to Mr. Lionel James Ferrie, who had been associated with the Town of Mimico since 1923, and was at the time a member of Council and Chairman of the Property Committee, Judge Shea stated that: “<i>I find no evidence whatever of any malfeasance, misconduct or breach of trust on the part of Mr. Ferrie. There was no direct evidence of any misconduct on his part, but there were suggestions, hints and innuendoes. I find these wholly without any basis in fact. However, one cannot but come to the conclusion that some of his actions were arbitrary, dictatorial, ill-advised, and unbecoming of an official of a municipality.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On Mr. Jack Book, who was employed by the Town as Building Inspector, Health Inspector, Plumbing and Drain Inspector, and Weed Inspector, Judge Shea stated: “<i>I find that on at least two occasions he deliberately gave false evidence and on many occasions gave evidence that was intended to mislead. My conclusion is that I could not rely on Mr. Book’s evidence.</i>” On Mr. Book’s role as a town official, particularly in his role as the building inspector during the time of the many violations of the building by-laws Judge Shea stated: “<i>Over all this was the despotic, unrestricted and unsupervised powers of Mr. Jack Book, the Building Inspector….Mr. Book was given far too much authority and he was without proper assistance, guidance, or supervision by members of Council. He appeared to take sides with that part of the municipality who thought the more apartment buildings and multiple family dwellings were erected, the better. In addition to that Mr. Book began to take sides with the applicants. He began to play favourites. He made it simple for some applicants to obtain permits and difficult, if not impossible, for other applicants to obtain permits. There is no doubt in my mind he used his power to issue permits to his own advantage, in a small way. The issue of a building permit was a very decisive factor in the value of land. Once a permit for construction was issued the value of the land increased very materially, depending on the number of units to be constructed. Applications, and even permits, were altered in Mr. Book’s office. Numbers were struck out and changed apparently at the whim of Mr. Book, to satisfy the applicants. The situation reached such a stage that Mr. Book had unlimited and arbitrary power over the issuing of permits. Mr. Book reaped some material advantage from this power, but in my opinion it was insignificant</i>." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In regards to Mr. Walton, who was the leaseholder on the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rex</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Theatre</st1:placename></st1:place> that was shut down by Mr. Book, for reasons of public health, and who accused Mr. Book of seeking a bribe to keep the theatre open, Judge Shea stated that “<i>The evidence of Mr. Walton was equally unreliable. He seemed to be very bitter toward Mr. Book, and antagonistic to the authorities of the Town of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mimico</st1:city></st1:place>. My conclusion is that on many occasions he deliberately gave false evidence in an attempt to injure Mr. Book and to cause embarrassment and trouble to other officials and to members of Council. It should be said in his favour that he seemed to have an honest belief that things were not right in Mimico. He seemed obsessed with the desire to bring about improvements, and in so doing to bring credit to himself. He spent months without expectation of any remuneration or material advantages in making investigations and obtaining material for this hearing. It was unfortunate that because of his bitterness and his desire for vengeance, he considered it necessary to give evidence that could not be accepted and was not reliable.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>The Fallout</u>:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In the following municipal elections of December 1962 three of the sitting Mimico councillors were defeated. These included Councillors Lionel Ferrie, Alex Halliwell and D.M. Smith who had all been urged to resign by other members of council following the release of Judge Shea’s report in February 1962. The only person to be criminally charged and convicted was Mr. Jack Book. However it was not for his activities as a town official but for lying to Judge Shea during the inquiry in relation to gifts from local builders and real estate men. In March 1962 Book was sentenced to two months in prison for perjury.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><u>The Lasting Impact</u>:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Today Mimico continues to live with the repercussions of the overbuilding that took place between 1950 and 1960. The primary example of this is many of the apartment buildings built on the former <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Mimico</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Beach</st1:placetype></st1:place> estates along the waterfront, and the multiple dwelling units (triplexes, sixplexes, eightplexes and apartments) on many lots within the single family residential areas of the former town. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It is ironic that we are now being told by the consultants and planners of the City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Toronto</st1:place></st1:city> that the solution to this overbuilding along the waterfront is higher intensification (i.e. more and taller buildings) as part of the development of the <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/planning/mimico2020.htm" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mimico 2020 Revitalization Action Plan</span></a> currently in process. Even though the planning process is still ongoing the owners of the Amedeo Garden Court apartment complex have already submitted a redevelopment application to the city.</span><br />
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The preliminary Toronto Planning Department Report on the application proceeded to Etobicoke-York Community Council on September 12, 2011 and was adopted. It provides a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/ey/bgrd/backgroundfile-40287.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">preliminary look</span></a> </span>at the application and projected next steps.<br />
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The Planning Staff report provides a summary of the development application as follows:</span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">full replacement of all existing 396 rental housing units within 2 new 8 to 10 storey buildings;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1,579 new condominium units over 3 to 5 storey base buildings and 6 new 20 to 44 storey buildings with a proposed Gross Floor Area of 165,412 square metres (i.e. amount of floor space they can build on the site);</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">extensive underground parking facilities for 1845 spaces;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a new public roadway system;</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">extension of public parkland and waterfront access; and,</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">devising an appropriate approach to the site’s identified heritage features (though none of the features appear on the site plan they submitted with their application).</span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Is history about to repeat itself? Will the rejuvenation of Mimico be led by the city for the benefit of the local citizens or will the developers take control of the process? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The city can make it clear that they will be in charge of this process by passing an interim control by-law over the Mimico 2020 area. This would freeze development for a one year period so that they can continue to work on the plan, in collaboration with the community, without the distraction of having to respond to (or be led by/or </span>perceived<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> to be led by) a major redevelopment application. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">If you would like a copy of Judge Shea’s report please email me at mimicohistory at hotmail.com.</span></span></span></span></div>
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Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-78429213579112505752011-12-12T11:19:00.000-08:002012-01-06T18:10:39.572-08:00Charles Millar House - 41 Primrose Avenue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz3wnCPEHtXAA8CfTPhq1oo4cJ0JJRTyZHC7VNIoxy7fGPsKSwQCp6mJHMJF10dz2K4WkrnowpksGEbVltGS6DdWqxl3sxq5w40-7B0-hplMQSG5v3PafrBG925rbwcd8ygT5Tey27iNs/s1600/41+Primrose+Avenue+-+April+2011+-+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz3wnCPEHtXAA8CfTPhq1oo4cJ0JJRTyZHC7VNIoxy7fGPsKSwQCp6mJHMJF10dz2K4WkrnowpksGEbVltGS6DdWqxl3sxq5w40-7B0-hplMQSG5v3PafrBG925rbwcd8ygT5Tey27iNs/s400/41+Primrose+Avenue+-+April+2011+-+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Charles Millar House - 41 Primrose Avenue</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">© Michael Harrison 2011</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">This large house was built in 1923 for Charles Millar, Manager of the Ontario Sewer Pipe & Clay Industries Ltd. In the October 3, 1923 edition of <i>The Contract Record and Engineering Review</i>, it was described as a "handsome residence" built by Mr. J McGonegal, of 56 Jackman Avenue, Toronto. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">The article went on further:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">"<i>The house is of red pressed brick construction on the first floor, with stucco on hollow tile above. The roomy verandah at the front is laid with a red quarry tile floor and handsomely trimmed with wood lattice painted white.</i>"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">"<i>Entrance is direct on a large living room the full width of the house... The main staircase on the right is in ash to match the balance of the trim and is one of the features of this room. A large brick mantle is located in the left side wall... The kitchen, breakfast room and dining room arrangement is compact and convenient in this layout. A separate entrance services this section of the house. The floors are oak throughout.</i>"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">"<i>The upstairs layout combines four large bedrooms, sunroom and bathroom, with a minimum of hall space. The flooring is of oak, and the trim ash, as downstairs, with the exception of the bathroom, which has tile floors and walls to a height of 4 ft.</i>"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">"<i>The basement is divided into laundry, fruit cellar and boiler room. Heat is supplied by a Spencer heater.</i>"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Charles was the son of Archibald and Margaret Millar and born in 1865. On March 9, 1893 he was married to Victoria Whytock, daughter of James and Jane Whytock. They would go on to have three children: Edna (b. 1894); Margaret (b. 1895); and, Charles (b. 1905). A daughter Agnes was stillborn in 1906. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">In 1929 the Ontario Sewer Pipe Company was sold to other interests and so Charles took his expertise and became involved in the organization of a new company, Ontario Vitrified Products Limited in nearby Humber Bay. In 1930 the company obtained approval from Etobicoke Council for a fixed assessment of $25,000 for a period of ten years. This was approved by a ratepayer vote in May with 280 in favour and 22 opposed. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">I need to do further research to see how long the family lived in the home but when Charles died in 1948 he was living in Toronto. He is buried in Park Lawn Cemetery.</span></span></div>Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3678606343211946744.post-88510265735661908242011-12-06T06:13:00.004-08:002020-11-10T03:42:03.712-08:00Dr William Woods House - 41 Superior Avenue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Dr William Woods House - 41 Superior Avenue</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">This large home was built for Dr. William Woods in 1910 to plans by the renowned architect William G. Rantoul which appeared in the July 1905 <i>Ladies Home Journal; </i>and adapted by James Layrock Havill, a Toronto architect.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CzofS5t6-_6buGofP_ntdTNFE-AC9Vj9ZdRRrxnCsGEoQALdFU2tlk0z4dhZM_3pjTI5fXspngSy7zJplRoJgLX3PxyHrlF095n8HS6yNGvA5Hbz_9L9bmtzknwkOtEl_VXQNqBcIDVl/s1600/Dr+William+Woods+House+-+extract+from+Goads+-+Mimico+-+1913+-+sheet+10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CzofS5t6-_6buGofP_ntdTNFE-AC9Vj9ZdRRrxnCsGEoQALdFU2tlk0z4dhZM_3pjTI5fXspngSy7zJplRoJgLX3PxyHrlF095n8HS6yNGvA5Hbz_9L9bmtzknwkOtEl_VXQNqBcIDVl/s400/Dr+William+Woods+House+-+extract+from+Goads+-+Mimico+-+1913+-+sheet+10.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Dr. William Woods House - Goad Fire Insurance Plan for Mimico and New Toronto 1913</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">courtesy Library and Archives Canada </span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">William Woods was born in 1879 the son of Patrick Woods and Grace Stock (daughter of Edward Stock). Patrick was born in Ireland in 1844 and immigrated to Canada with his family in 1850. He married Grace Stock in 1872. The family lived on Church Street (Royal York Road) in Mimico. Patrick and his son Patrick had a butcher shop there, while his son William operated his dental practice from their home. In the 1901 census William reported earnings of $350 a year.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Dr. William Woods married Dawn Tout in 1904 and the couple moved into their new home probably in early 1911. By 1911 they had three daughters: Josephine (b. 1905), Grace (b. 1906) and Georgina (b. 1910).</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Dr Woods had a long involvement with the education sector in Mimico including being a member of the Public School Board, the High School Board and the Separate School Board. He also added architecture to his list of accomplishments when he designed St. <a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.6145926,-79.4965377,3a,75y,167.51h,91.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLlOprex6ysoxMCEuuB66eg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192" target="_blank"><b>Leo's Separate School</b></a> in 1926 - Mimico's first Roman Catholic School. It was based on the design of Dixie Public School in Toronto Township (present day City of Mississauga) near the corner of Dixie Road and Dundas Street. Viewing the <a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.6077514,-79.5818683,3a,16.1y,230.75h,94.83t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJts3eI_Hl1t2vCjHwDW2aA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192" target="_blank"><b>building</b></a>, which still exists, the remarkable similarity is quite evident. St Leo's Catholic School was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act by the City of Toronto in 2020. The staff report can be found <a href="https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/pb/bgrd/backgroundfile-157556.pdf" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Descendants</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"> of the family lived in the house for over 100 years before its sale to new owners in 2011 who have lovingly restored it to its original glory.</span></span></div>
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Michael Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15408473849110286556noreply@blogger.com0