St. Andrew's Hall - 178 & 178A Royal York Road

178 + 178A Royal York Road - St. Andrew's Hall

courtesy Google Streetview - 2016

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).  

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.  

The Society was founded in Canada in 1876 and provided insurance to members in need due to family illness and other unfortunate circumstances.  

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.  

In 1925 the Hall would became the home of the minority of members of the Mimico Presbyterian Church who were opposed to the merger with the new United Church of Canada.  As detailed in the October 10, 1925 edition of the Globe and Mail, 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.  

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.  

As detailed in the August 24, 1926 edition of the Toronto Star "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."  

This set off the Mayor and others and a lively debate recorded verbatim ensued: 

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."   

Councillor Hendry:  "There were political meetings held there last year."   

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."  

Councillor Waiks (Methodist):  "It has been used as a dancing school."  

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."  

Deputy Reeve Murphy took strong exception to the councillor's remarks, adding:  "It looks as if petty spite is being used."  

Councillor Hendry:  "If there is an act you are going by, I don't understand it." 

Deputy Reeve Murphy:  "If you cannot use common sense there is no talking to you.  You are practically calling a man a liar."  

Mayor Savage:  "The church act has nothing to do with municipal affairs.  This is only a stab at the Presbyterian church in the town."  

Deputy Reeve Murphy:  "If this is Christian attitude I am darn glad I am not in that class."  

Councillor Hendry:  "There is no good going into personalities."  

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."  

Councillor Waiks:  "The atmosphere is not clearing.  It is not a personal matter."  

Mayor Savage:  "This is a personal grievance against the church."  

Councillor Hendy:  "It is a pity you are getting up in the air."  

Mayor Savage:  "You had no right to doubt the word of the finance committee."  

Councillor Hendy:  "You are getting a little excited."  

Mayor Savage:  "You doubt my word and I am not going to stand it".  

Deputy Reeve Murphy:  "I was perfectly satisfied to make the recommendation and the reeve entertained the same view."  

Councillor Waiks:  "We have a perfect right to ask questions."  

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."  

Despite this lively debate the motion did carry and the building was granted tax exempt status.

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.

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.  

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.

The building has been vacant for a number of years and its future is uncertain.

Union Bank Building - Mimico Branch - 86 Mimico Avenue/3 Station Road

Union Bank of Canada Building - Mimico Branch
Google streetview

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.

The Union Bank of Canada first established itself in Mimico in 1910 on Cavell Avenue (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.  

Royal Bank of Canada - Mimico Branch - 86 Mimico Avenue in 1933

courtesy Toronto Public Library Digital Archive

Presently the architect is unknown but in 1919 Norman McNabb Moffatt was appointed as the staff architect for the Union Bank of Canada and so he is most likely the creator of this lovely building.

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."

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.  

Update - January 18, 2024

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 here.

Update - February 6, 2024

The item was deferred to the March Toronto City Council meeting.

Update - March 20, 2024

The item was adopted by Toronto City Council.

Bank of Montreal Building - 2448 Lake Shore Blvd West

Bank of Montreal Building - 2448 Lake Shore Blvd West.

(source:  Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment, page 47)

After more than 100 years in Mimico the Bank of Montreal closed its branch at 2448 Lake Shore Blvd West on March 22, 2019.   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 34 Cavell Avenue (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.  

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 works includes the University Club of Toronto the Temple Building, and many other bank buildings. 

The building was reviewed as part of the “Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment” completed by URS for the City of Toronto's Heritage Preservation Services in 2012.  The report provided the following description for the building:

"Early 20th century commercial building of good design, significant siting, makes a solid contribution to the character of the street and reflects the most significant phase of commercial development in Mimico for the past century. Two storey brick structure with stone or concrete string courses and sills, 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)

Though this bank is now closed the building is a significant building in the Town of Mimico anchoring the corner of Mimico Avenue and Lake Shore Blvd West.  The building was a landmark in Mimico upon its construction in 1924 and remains a landmark building to this day.

Having been identified in the Mimico 20/20 Revitalization Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment 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.

Update October 6, 2021

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.

Update October 12, 2021

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.

Update November 9, 2021

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.

Robert Herod House - 182 Queens Avenue - Under Threat

 

182 Queens Avenue 

courtesy Google Streetview

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).  

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. 

Robert was the son of William Herod and Ann Murray, born in Hagersville, Ontario in 1855. 

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.

He first appears in Mimico in the 1899 Toronto City Directory (pg 58) living on Queens Avenue (hence the original posting that the house was built in 1898) and he and his family were enumerated there in the 1901 and 1911 census. 

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 house for his son Archibald on lot 163 in 1912.

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.

Mimico is covered by Plate 83 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. 

182 Queens Avenue (#418)

1913 Goad's Fire Insurance Plan for Mimico and New Toronto (Sheet 4)

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.  

In contrast Plate 83 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.

1913 Goads Fire Insurance Plan for the City of Toronto, Plate 83 with 180 and 182 Queens Avenue on the wrong lots.

During the First World War three of Robert Herod's sons - William, James and Herbert - enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.  Of these three only two would survive.   

James Herod was wounded in August 1918 as described in the August 24, 1918 edition of the Toronto Star.

Toronto Star, August 24, 1918

William Herod, their eldest child, was killed 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 Cagnicourt." 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.

courtesy Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Toronto Star, September 19, 1918

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:

1917:  Connaught Hall, Mimico.  Herod Construction was paid $7,500 for the foundation and brick work of the building.

1921:  Masonry contract for a residence costing $4,500 for Horace Standsfield.  In the 1926 Toronto City Directory he was living at 72 Superior Avenue which is most likely the house built.

1921:  Masonry contract for a residence on Central Street for W.J. McClintock, a local builder and developer.

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.

1923:  General contractor 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 Rex Theatre.  The theatre's owner - Mr. Walton -  and the theatre would get mixed up in the judicial inquiry into overbuilding in Mimico in the 1960s.

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 Canadian Statesman 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.

1930:  Laundry Building, Ontario Hospital at Mimico (New Toronto) at a cost of $50,000.

1931:  Post Office & Public Building, Port Credit at a cost of approximately $35,000.   The building is on the City of Mississauga's Heritage Registry.

1931:  Harry McGee Vice President of Eaton's who had a summer estate in Mimico retained the company to build 11 houses and duplexes at Stanley Avenue and Albert Street as a relief project for the unemployed.

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: 

 

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.

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.

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 here.  See items 28A, 28B and 28C.

Update February 23, 2021

At the Committee of Adjustment today the matter was deferred until March 23, 2021.  The agenda can be found here.  See items 46A, 46B and 46C.

Update March 23, 2021

Heritage Planning has determined that the house does not qualify for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.  In part the report reads as follows:

"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.

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.

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.

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

evidence to meet the criteria for designation under the provisions of the Ontario Heritage Act or inclusion on the City's Heritage Register.

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."

Update March 24, 2021

Yesterday the Committee of Adjustment approved the requested applications to sever the lot in two and construct two new houses with conditions.

Update September 24, 2025

Today the house was featured in a BlogTO story.  According to the story, in 2023 a builder bought the house and rather than demolish it and split the lot to build two new houses decided to totally renovate the house keeping the main structure and adding a significant extension to it.  Whoever you are thank you.

St Leo Roman Catholic School Redevelopment Proposal - 165 Stanley Avenue

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 here.

Rendering of St Leo's School Redevelopment - courtesy of Kohn Shiner Architects

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.

The architect of the original school building was Dr. William J Woods, 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 Public School on Dixie Road just south of Dundas Street in Toronto Township (present day City of Mississauga).  

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."  

"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."  

"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. 

According to the heritage report by ERA Architects:  "The interior of the 1926 school building is proposed to be restored to its original configuration and rehabilitated to suit future programmatic needs, including the introduction of a central Learning Commons, modernization of classroom facilities, and accessibility upgrades." 

The application to the city is currently being reviewed by planning staff.

On October 30, 2020 the Toronto Preservation Board designated the original school building under the Ontario Heritage Act.  You can download the staff report here.  The decision was subsequently adopted by both the Etobicoke York Community Council and Toronto City Council.

The original 1926 building will be protected and preserved for the future.

Mimico - Judson Regeneration Areas Study - Heritage Buildings Demolished

I have struggled to write a posting for this as it was such a disaster for built heritage.

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".

Council directed staff to begin a study of the Mimico-Judson Regeneration Area to provide for a plan for its revitalization.

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.

I identified the buildings at 49 and 53 Judson Street (Dominion Abrasive Wheel Grinding Company Complex) and 1 Audley Street (Mitchell and Dorst Building - though best known as the Schindler Company of Canada Building).  

As part of their work the city's consultants, as well as city staff, concurred and identified both historical industrial properties as being "character" buildings potentially worthy of protection and preservation in their planning documents. 

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.

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.  

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. 

John Telfer House - 159 Stanley Avenue

John Telfer House - 159 Stanley Avenue

© Michael Harrison 2011

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.

 The home was designed in the Second Empire style with an impressive mansard roof, it still has its original dichromatic slate roof 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..

John Telfer House - Goad's Fire Insurance Plan 1913

courtesy Library and Archives Canada

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.

Photo of John Alfred Telfer
courtesy of The Story of Mimico, by Edwin Eland, 1935

His widow continued to live in the house until her subsequent death.  It was then that Cyril Telfer their son sold the home to my grandparents Lloyd and Kathleen Sauve in 1942 for the grand sum of $3,700.  

My grandparents lived in the house, raising a large family of eleven children, until their deaths in 1982 after which the home was sold.

Mimico Masonic Temple (Connaught Hall) - 23 Superior Avenue

Mimico Masonic Temple (Connaught Hall)
23 Superior Avenue

© Michael Harrison 2012 

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 Mimico 2020 Revitalization Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment Report released October 2012. 

According to the report, the Mimico Masonic Temple (Connaught Hall) is 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".

The report indicates that the property “merits further study and evaluation as a potential BHR” (Built Heritage Resource).  Further, the property has a “high” integrity of design. (pg 88)

If any building in Mimico is worthy of protection under the Ontario Heritage Act the Mimico Masonic Temple is one of them.

The Temple has a long history in the Town of Mimico. 

According to “A Century of Freemasonry in Etobicoke”, 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:

“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. 

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.”

Connaught Lodge was formally instituted and constituted in 1912.   The Mimico Masonic Temple 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 Toronto City 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).

The Connaught Lodge first met in rented quarters in the Heather Block on the Lake Shore Road at the foot of Mimico Avenue.  In the photo of the soldiers 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.

It was not until 1917 that the members constructed a purpose built Masonic Temple on Superior Avenue.  It was built primarily as the home of Connaught Lodge (No. 501) but eventually it served as the Masonic Temple for three additional Lodges (four in total). The three additional lodges were:  Long Branch Lodge (No. 632); Anthony Sayer Lodge (No. 640) and Lake Shore Lodge (No. 645); all established in 1927.

Connaught Lodge (No. 501) was the primary lodge in the Mimico Masonic Temple.  The membership was a who’s who list of Mimico’s political and business elite.  It includes names such as:

• Dr. Forbes Godfrey (local MPP and first Ontario Minister of Health);
• JH Doughty (Mayor of Mimico 1921-1925);
• AD Norris (Mayor of Mimico 1933-1935, 1941-1942, 1946, 1949-1954; Reeve of Mimico 1943-1944-1945);
• George R. Gauld (Superintendent of the Victoria Industrial School, long time School Board Trustee – George R Gauld School is named after him);
• George W.G. Gauld (WWI Flying Ace, Town of Mimico solicitor for 40 years);
• John Kay, (descendant of Mimico’s first commuter – see Mimico Story,  pg 50);
• Robert Skelton (First Reeve of Mimico 1911-1912, Manager of Ontario Sewer Pipe Company);
• Octavius Hicks (prominent contractor who built the first bowstring concrete truss bridge span in Ontario over Etobicoke Creek;
• Andrew Dods (First Clerk of Mimico, Mimico Councillor, Member of the Mimico Public Utilities Commission, President of Ontario Sewer Pipe Company, Mimico’s largest industry);
• Louis J West (Mayor of Mimico 1919-1920, Founding member and President of Toronto Stock Exchange)
• Dr John Serson (Member [various years] as well as Chair Mimico High School Board 1933, Prominent Surgeon);
• Jay Barnun (First Assessor for Town of Mimico); and,
• Dr. K.F.Pownall (Dentist, Registrar Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario 1965-1990, Clinical Demonstrator University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry).

A well known member of the Anthony Sayer Lodge (No. 640) was:

• L.J. Ferrie (Clerk and Treasurer, Town of Mimico, Councillor, Town of Mimico)

Some names of the Lake Shore Lodge (No. 645) included:

• Eric Horwood, Architect, Horwood and White, son of J.C.B. Horwood, Architect.  Eric Horwood would undertake the renovation of the Mimico Masonic Temple (Connaught Hall) following the damage caused by fire in 1940;
• E.J. Everett (long time Chairman of the Mimico Library Board – 25 years);
• W.H. McBride (Principal George R. Gauld School 1942-1943, John English School 1942-1960);
• 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);
• G.H. Hogle (owner of G.H. Hogle Undertakers); and,
• Everett Herbert Glenn, Principal of Mimico High School (25 years), Member, Mimico Public Library Board.

This is by no means an extensive listing of members of the various lodges that utilized the Mimico Masonic Temple (Connaught Hall)

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^th, 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.

Two sets of alterations are known to have been made to the building.  In 1936 alterations were made to “provide Mimico with a more dignified courtroom” (Toronto Star Feb 5, 1936).   More extensive alterations were made in 1940 due to a fire which resulted in extensive damage ($6,000 worth according to the Toronto Star 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.

Details of the damage from the 1940 fire, and the renovation can be found in the Horwood Collection at the Archives of Ontario.

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.

Designation of this building under the Ontario Heritage Act would ensure that this historically significant, dignified building continues to grace the community. 

Update October 6, 2021

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.

Update October 12, 2021

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.

Update November 9, 2021

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.

Mimico Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment

The City of Toronto has posted the Mimico Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment report on the Mimico 2020 Revitalization webpage.

The Executive Summary reads as follows:  

Executive Summary

The significance of Heritage Resources is recognized as a key component of the Mimico 20/20 Action Plan, requiring an inventory and evaluation of Built Heritage Resources (BHRs) Cultural Heritage Landscapes (CHLs) and potential Heritage Conservation Districts (PHCDs) within the area identified for revitalization, and in neighbourhoods adjacent to it. This Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment Report presents the findings of a comprehensive review of the Study Area carried out during September to December 2011, and provides recommendations for the integration of development with heritage resources in an appropriate and sensitive way, according to the regulatory framework, current standards and guidelines for conservation best practices, and the Performance Standards outlined in the Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study.

A thematic history was compiled to identify key themes and trends in the history of Mimico to provide a context for the community.

The study process identified 45 properties as BHRs, CHLs and/or PHCDs that should be considered for listing on the City’s Heritage Inventory. They are presented in Data Sheets with basic information and mapping. Detailed research and evaluation is recommended to determine their heritage values as a basis for Statements of Significance in preparation for reference to development proposals.


A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

Mrs Gooder's Charge Plate

Mrs. Ross C Gooder's Charge Plate

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.


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.

Home of Mrs. Ross C. Gooder

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.

In 1911 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.


The lot where the home was located is currently vacant.  The home was demolished sometime in the past.