Evocative Images of Lost Toronto

[thecharioteer]

thecharioteer, you're a wizard!

It's very interesting to see Kingsland, which was actually 1836-7 according to Howard. There's nothing of the picturesque there except maybe the curved bays - quite different than what he was building for himself at the same time in Colborne Lodge. With the small windows, pilasters, and string course, that's a pretty stern neo-classical look. The original roof and window hoods might have lightened it a bit, but I'd say he got better in the 10 years to Kearsney House.

Thanks, k10ery. I never knew about Kingsland, and it's a shame it wasn't kept as a centrepiece for Lawrence Park. I'm wondering if that photo was taken just prior to demolition (which perhaps is why it was a news item in the Star). It has that stripped-down, neglected look that many houses get it their last days. Perhaps there was wrap-around veranda that got removed at some point. Certainly the lack of landscaping (and the front steps) doesn't help.

 

[thecharioteer]

The passage of time on old buildings is a genre all its own. The decline of Berkeley House on King East is a good example.

A water colour by Owen Staples in 1912, after a sketch by Mrs. C.C. Small in 1830:



1925:



A description from "Heritage Mondays", a feature that used to run here on HT:

Captured in this 1908 photograph is the home of Major John Small. Born in England in 1746, Small emigrated to Upper Canada and was appointed clerk of the Executive Council of Upper Canada in*1792. Small was described by Lieutenant Governor, John Graves Simcoe as “a Gentleman who possesses and is entitled to my highest confidence.” Small took on several other posts including Justiceship on the Peace in York, Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the York militia in 1798, and Office of Clerk of the Crown and Pleas from 1806 to 1825. Small was perhaps most famous for participating in an historic duel in January 1800 where he fatally wounded the Attorney General of Upper Canada, John White. Small was acquitted on a charge of murder after a brief trial. In 1795, Small purchased an existing log house at the southwest corner of today's Berkeley and King Streets that was one of the first domestic buildings erected in the Town of York. The hewn log building was described by preeminent historian and author Henry Scadding in 1873 as “one of the usual low looking domiciles of the country with central portion and two gable wings, somewhat after the fashion of many an old country manor house in England.” Small and later his son Charles expanded the home. At one point the exterior was stuccoed and renovated with the addition of Gothic style fenestration. Berkeley House was located on a one acre property surrounded by a yard and garden described as “one of the great social centres and few indeed are the members of the old aristocracy who have not danced or dined beneath its roof.” By the 20th century Berkeley House was past its prime and was demolished in 1926. Today's Berkeley Street is said to be named after the small estate owned by Major John Small.

Sources Toronto No Mean City, p.21-25

http://www.townofyork.com/pages/town-of-york-model-city.html

Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding, passim

http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?id_nbr=3136&interval=25&



http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2011/01/heritage-toronto-mondays-berkeley-house-1908

 

[thecharioteer]

Equally touching were these group of rowhouses on Pearl Street, east of Simcoe, first seen in the NW view from the famous 1857 Rossin House panorama (centre right), and then just prior to their demolition for the University Avenue extension in 1930:

Likewise, these terrace houses on Wellington St. W.:

 

[J T CUNNINGHAM]

"group of rowhouses on Pearl Street, east of Simcoe "
QUOTE: Thecharioteer.

At the least, they had fire breaks between the properties, unlike many before, during, and after.


Regards,
J T

 

[thecharioteer]

The 1832 Parliament Buildings on Front Street:

In 1856:



1890:



1910:

 

[Anna]

The 1832 Parliament Buildings on Yonge Street:

King Street?

 

[adma]

Front Street?

Now, *there's* a building which suffered from its intended portico never having been built...

 

[thecharioteer]

Front Street?

Now, *there's* a building which suffered from its intended portico never having been built...

Yes, Front Street! Sorry all!

1862:

True about the portico, adma. Perhaps a victim of budget-cutting?

1835 lithograph:

And how it really looked in 1841:

And in a pen-and-ink drawing, 1841:

in 1890:

The Legislative Chamber:

http://www.billgladstone.ca/?p=8405

 

[Uncle Teddy]

True about the portico, adma. Perhaps a victim of budget-cutting?

Imagine, cheapening in the good old days. And I only thought it happened today!

 

[DSC]

Berkeley House has been discussed on UT in the past (e,g. http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2011/01/heritage-toronto-mondays-berkeley-house-1908 ) In 1908 it looked like:

This site is now being archaeologically investigated as the new Great Gulf/First Gulf building is planned for the site. From what one can glimpse through they fence they are uncovering field-stone foundations.

 

[thecharioteer]

More Berkeley House:

1885:

Owen Staples 1912, after a pen and ink drawing from 1888:

1917:

Interior 1900:

 

[thecharioteer]

From today's King East Centre thread (http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/showth...g-St-E-First-Gulf-6s-Pellow-20s-DSAI)/page39). The foundations of Berkeley House:

 

[Uncle Teddy]

That's very cool!

 

[Marmaly]

Very interesting..thanks

 

[thecharioteer]

The future George V's visit to Toronto 1901: