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UrbanToronto has partnered with Heritage Toronto to capture a moment in Toronto's past. On a weekly basis, we will both be highlighting a historic photo of the city's people, places and events, and will be telling the stories behind them.
Many thanks to both Gary Switzer of MOD Developements and Maya Bilbao for putting together the photos and research.
This week's photo:
Campbell House
Standing amidst the urban environment at Queen Street and University Avenue is the Campbell House.
The home was first located at the corner of Adelaide and Frederick Streets, and built for Sir William Campbell and his wife Hannah. Scottish born Campbell held numerous high profile positions in Toronto including lawyer, office holder, Justice of the Peace, militia officer, and politician. His home was designed in the fashionable Georgian style.
After Campbell's passing in 1834, the home was used for a variety of purposes including private residence, office space, horseshoe nail company and elevator company. The final owners of the property, Coutts-Hallmark Greeting Cards, proposed to demolish the home, but instead it was offered to any party willing to take it away from the property. The Advocates' Society, an association of trial lawyers saved and relocated the building, then restored it to its present look.
As can be seen in this photograph, the house was moved to the northwest corner of Queen and University on Friday, March 31st, 1972. Beginning at the break of dawn, the move took approximately six and a half hours. Crowds of onlookers watched in amazement as the 300 ton home was moved ever so slowly along city streets, a distance of 5305 feet.
Today, Campbell House is one of several historic house museums in Toronto. Along with tours of the home, programs and special events, the old house now includes a restaurant. This finely designed Georgian home gives visitor a journey back into time to see what it would have been like to live large in the Town of York. Onlookers will also appreciate the Georgian style in all its glory.
Sources
Dictionary of Canadian Biography, article on Sir William Campbell
