Historical Walking Tour of the Danforth Barbara Myrvold An Historical Walking Tour of the Danforth Barbara Myrvold

Toronto Public Library Board Published with the assistance of Reflections '92 Ministry of Culture and Communications

1 ISBN 0-920601-18-9

Copyright @ 1992 Public Library Board 281 Front St. E. Toronto, Ontario M5A 4L2

Designed by Linda Goldman

Printed and bound in by Perfect Printing

Cover illustration at Broadview Avenue, looking east, ca. 1911. CTA, James Collection.

Title Page illustration Playter's Across the Don, 1794. Drawing by Elizabeth Simcoe. MTLB T12838.

Key to Abbreviations in Picture Credits CTA MTLB Library Board TPL-PDLHC -PapelDanforth Branch, Local History Collection

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Myrvold, Barbara. An historical walking tour of the Danforth

1. Danforth Avenue (Toronto, Ont.) - Tours. 2. Walking - Ontario - Toronto - Guidebooks. 3. Historic buildings - Ontario - Toronto - Guidebooks. 4. Toronto (Ont.) - Buildings, structures, etc. - Guidebooks. I. Toronto Public Library Board. II. Title.

FC3097.67.M97 1992 917.13'541 C92-095543-6 F1059.5.T6875D36 1992

Second Printing, July 1993. Preface

This walking tour covers only one of the several neighbourhoods that converge on Danforth Avenue. The route begins on the east side of the Prince Edward (i.e. Bloor-Danforth) and progresses generally eastward along the Danforth to Pape Avenue, with a few diversions north and south of the main street. Information for the walking tour was taken largely from my earlier study, The Danforth in Pictures, published by the Toronto Public Library Board in 1979, but long out of print. Supplementary research was conducted to bring the story up to date. I am grateful to those who kindly shared information with me: Helen Whidden, St. Barnabas Anglican Church; Les Wayne and Theresa Cosentino, Sunkist Markets; Paul Klamer and Pat Buchner, Chester Village; David Walsh, Carrot Common; Lynn Jemison Marsh, Danforth Baptist Church; Richard Stromberg and Joan Crosby, Toronto Historical Board; Barry Ralph, Ecuhome Corporation; and Elizabeth Cuthbertson, City of Toronto Archives. Staff at Toronto Public Library were very helpful in organizing the walking tour and producing the booklet. I am especially grateful to Karen Fleming, Programme Coordinator, for her encouragement, per­ sistence and promotion; Lillian Salmon, Publicity Assistant, for editing the manuscript, taking pictures, and promoting the walk; Linda Goldman, Senior Staff Artist, for designing the book; Charlene Girt and Janet Bartlett, PapelDanforth Library, for locating photographs and informa­ tion in the branch local history collection; Cheryl Buchwald, Senior Systems Specialist, for verifying information in the neighbourhood; and Dora Avramis, Head of Publicity and Public Relations Department, for her insights on the Greek community. A special thanks to Joey Slinger, columnist, Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour winner, and Danforth chronicler, who led the inaugural walking tour on 25 October 1992. Appreciative ac­ knowlegement is given to the Ontario Ministry of Culture and Commu­ nications who provided Toronto Public Library Board with a Reflections '92 grant for this project.

Barbara Myrvold Toronto, October 1992

3 The Danforth; an historical overview

"The Danforth," as local residents call both the street and the district surrounding it, is a major Toronto east-west thoroughfare and one of the city's most colourful and distinctive areas. It stretches 10 km. in 91 blocks, from the east side of the Valley to merge with in Scarborough. Three principal neighbourhoods converge on the Danforth: from Broadview Avenue to a few blocks east ofPape Avenue; the area of ; and from Main Street to the eastern city limit at . During the nineteenth century, the "Don and Danforth Road," as Danforth Avenue was known until 1884, was a sleepy byway traversing open fields, market gardens, brickyards, and butchering concerns. John McPherson Ross recalled in a reminiscence published in the Evening Telegram in 1920: "It was a typical country road, dusty in summer and muddy in wet weather, while in winter often blocked with snowdrifts from the unbroken sweep of wind across the large sandy stretches of land, termed the Plains." Fronting the road were scattered houses, the odd church, and the occasional hotel or road house, where Torontonians gathered for weekend revels. Fledgling industries had been established early in the 1790s just north of the Danforth. They were located on the east bank of the Don Valley to take advantage ofthe water power potential of the Don and, later, to exploi t the valley's rich clay deposits for brick-making purposes. Eventually small communities, bearing such British names as Todmor­ den, Doncaster and Chester, developed by these enterprises. Further east at the crossroads with Dawes Road was another hamlet called Coleman's Corners or Little York. It grew dramatically in the 1880ro when the Grand Trunk Railway established a yard closeby. But mostly the Danforth ofthe 1800s merely connected the more im­ portant Road (Broadview Avenue), which led to the riverside mills, to the main highway to the east, Danforth Road. It was a quiet backwater, a rural backyard for the more populous communities that existed further south along East and Kingston Road. Ironically Asa Danforth, the American contractor for whom Danforth Avenue is named, actually had nothing to do with its construction; rather, he was commissioned in 1799 to build a military road linking the Town of York to the Bay ofQuinte, Ontario. His road followed the route of present-day Queen Street East, Kingston Road and Danforth Road. The rise in prominence of Danforth Avenue is a twentieth-century phenomenen, the result of demographic, political and technological factors. In the late 1800s, the City of Toronto was experiencing growing pains due to a burgeoning immigrant population. The settlements east of the Don were unincorporated and, therefore, largely un serviced - something which lessened their attractiveness for prospective home­ owners. This changed in 1884, however, when lands south of the 4 ------.-,

Danforth, north of Queen, and east ofthe Don to Greenwood became part of Toronto. The annexed area, which had been known as Riverside and , became St. Matthew's Ward (later renamed Ward One). Then in 1909, the village of Chester and lands north of the Danforth and east to Donlands Avenue were annexed to the city. The change in political status resulted in a number oftransporta­ tion improvements that made the previously remote properties acces­ sible. In 1888, the established a streetcar line along Broadview Avenue from Queen Street to the corner of Danforth Avenue in Chester village. In 1913, the Danforth line of the municipally­ owned began service east from Broadview Avenue. Following close on this important occasion was the start of construction of what has become the single most important event in the Danforth's history: the building of a viaduct across the precipitous Don River Valley to link Danforth Avenue with . Finally completed in 1919, the allowed a flood of speculators and developers to breach the barrier imposed by the Don, heralding a period of major development along the Danforth. The retail section extended only to Pape by the beginning ofthe First World War; frenetic building activity continued throughout the 1920s stretching the long line of two-storey, brick and mortar commercial buildings still characteristic of the Danforth today. The people moving into the newly subdivided neighbourhoods sur­ rounding Danforth Avenue were, for the most part, of working class origins and of British descent. Writer Robert Thomas Allen described the area as, "a flat suburb of English, Irish and Scotch cops, TTC motormen, and T. Eaton Company tie clerks." After the Second World War, the Danforth community continued its role of accommodating new immigrants, this time receiving waves of Italian and, later, Greek families. In the mid-1970s, young professionals began moving to the area, attracted by its abundance of relatively inexpensive houses and its convenience to downtown, made even more accessible by the opening of the Bloor-Danforth Subway in 1966. Renovation or restoration ofthe old homes became fashionable. The Danforth of today is still the vibrant heart of Riverdale and has a distinct cosmopolitan flavour due to the cultural diversity of the local population it serves.

5 1. Prince Edward Viaduct

Edmund Burke, Architect; Thomas Taylor, Project Design Engineer; Roland Har­ ris, Commissioner, City of Toronto Public Works Department. 1915-1919.

Bloor Viaduct, looking west, 1918. The first bridge across the Don was fiercely as well. Finally, it was decided constructed in about 1794 by the Playter to construct a steel and concrete bridge family, who owned property on both in three parts totalling 1,620 feet: a sides of the river north oftoday's Bloor/ Bloor section from Sherbourne to Par­ Danforth. Elizabeth Simcoe described liament; a Rosedale section from Parlia­ "Playter's picturesque bridge" as "a but­ ment to Castle Frank; and a Don sec­ ternut Tree fallen across the river the tion, the most ambitious portion, a branches still growing in full leaf. Mrs. massive structure 125 feet above the Playter being timorous, a pole was fas­ Don River linking Castle Frank with tened thro' the branches to hold by." Danforth Avenue. Civic officials were During the nineteenth century, several also persuaded that one day rapid tran­ other were constructed over the sit would connect the city and the sub­ Don but there was no crossing north of urbs, and agreed to inc1 ude a lower deck , other than a rickety foot beneath the roadway solid enough to bridge at Winchester Street. bear the weight offuture subway trains. The proposal to build a bridge across This decision saved gov.ernments mil­ the Don River Valley to connect Dan­ lions of dollars more than half a century forth Avenue with Bloor Street and later, when the Bloor-Danforth Subway met with a storm of was finally built. The Rosedale Bridge controversy in the early 1900s. Few opened for traffic on 29 October 1917, Torontonians saw any need for the the Don section on 18 October 1918 and bridge, and Toronto's leading newspa­ the Bloor section on 23 August 1919. pers were all against it. Critics ques­ Initially the bridge was called the tioned its cost (estimated at $759,000 in Bloor Street Viaduct. But on 11 Sep­ 1910 and escalated to $2,500,0000 in tember 1919, 1913) and its purpose - it was called a unanimously agreed to rename it the bridge to nowhere. At that time, the . Prince Edward Viaduct to honour Ed­ Danforth area was sparsely populated, ward, Prince of Wales Oater King Ed­ although its prospects brightened con­ ward VIII), who had received a tumul­ siderably in 1909 when Chester was tuous and enthusiastic welcome a few annexed to Toronto. Toronto voters weeks before in his first visit to Toronto. defeated plans for a viaduct twice, in Toronto's longest bridge was desig­ 1910 and 1912, but they finally approved nated under the Ontario Heritage Act the proposal by a majority of9,236 votes on 2 May 1988. It was extensively and in a plebiscite held on 1 January 1913. sympathetically repaired in 1991 by the The route of the viaduct and the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto method of construction were debated Transportation Department. 6 2. Prince Edward Viaduct Public Lavatory 55 Danforth Avenue. City Architect, G. F. W. Price. 1920-1.

Danforth Lavatory, 7 May 1924. City-owned public washrooms were first over time, and by 1988 the Danforth introduced in Toronto in 1904 when Avenue lavatory was one of only three health and hygiene were of great con­ such facilities still operated by the city. cern, and when few retail stores, hotels After a year-long study in 1987, city and restaurants offered such public officials determined it was too expen­ facilities. Often, public lavatories were sive to maintain. The study found that located at the intersections of major with two full-time attendants and only streetcar routes for the convenience of 30 daily users, the Danforth washroom waiting travellers. cost $500 a day, or almost $17 a flush, to The public lavatory at 55 Danforth operate. At its meetings on 7 and 11 Avenue opened only few years after the March 1988, Toronto City Council de­ Prince Edward Viaduct began to bring cided that "the public lavatory at 55 large numbers of settlers and visitors to Danforth Ave. be declared surplus to the district. It was also contemporary the city's requirements." with the formation of the Toronto Trans­ Several groups offered to re-use the portation Commission, a municipally­ 3,068 sq. ft. building: the Greek consu­ run public transit system. late in Toronto, the Junior League for The red-brick, stucco and wood, one­ its headquarters, and the Pat Shulz storey building was designed to relate to Memorial Fund as a neighbourhood the nearby residential neighbourhood. centre including a parent-child drop-in It incorporated such domestic detailing centre, a parent information centre and as half-timbered gable ends, oriel win­ a toy lending library. A public meeting dows, an entrance canopy and brick to solicit suggestions from local resi­ quoins. Shed roofdormers were used for dents for possible future uses of the old lighting the washrooms which included washroom was held on 23 May 1990, but wood stalls and brass fixtures. Another the buildingremainsclosed. The Toronto feature was the steeply pitched roofwith Historical Board placed the public lava­ flared eaves and extended rafters. tory at 55 Danforth on its Inventory of Use of public washrooms declined Heritage Properties in 1984. 7 3. Playter Society Building

757 Broadview Avenue, southeast corner of Danforth Avenue. Builder: F. Brink. 1909. Addition to east side before 1912.

Playter Society Building, ca. 1910. This imposing three-storey, brick and building is often called, was subject to stone structure frames the western two fires within 5 years. On 25 August entrance to Danforth Avenue and was 1981, the quarters of the Toronto The­ one of the first blocks of stores along the atre Centre, a coalition of five avant­ thoroughfare. It was built by Albert E. garde groups then using the top floor for Playter (1859-1941) and his brother, an experimental theatre and a rehearsal William, two market gardeners inter­ hall, were gutted by fire. A $1 million ested in developing the area and mem­ blaze on 21 March 1987 kept 80 fire­ bers of an influential founding family fighters battling more than six hours (see No. 12). They strategically placed with 17 trucks, pumpers and aerials. the building where the Broadview Ave­ The east side of the building on Dan­ nue stree,tcars wyed, andit soon became forth was especially damaged. Playter a commercial and social centre for the Hall is now used as an office, restaurant district. Stores were on the bottom floor and apartment building. and offices for dentists, doctors and other Playter Hall was placed on the businesses on the second storey. The Toronto Historical Board's Inventory of top floor was used for meetings of asso­ Heritage Properties in 1984. Architec­ ciations and societies (the local Orange tural features noted by the Board in­ Order had its headquarters there), card cluded the large, projecting sheet-metal parties and bingo games. The hall also cornice; the angular corner with a name became the east end place to dance plaque above the third floor window; the nightly to big name bands in the 1920s, long elevation flanking the Danforth '30s and '40s - Guy Lombardo's orches­ with simple fenestrations and stone tra played at Playter's regularly in the quoining motif; and double-hung win­ 1930s. dows. In the 1980s, Playter Hall, as the 8 4. Chester Village 717 Broadview Avenue, southeast corner of Dearbourne Avenue. Sieven Piper, Architect. 1972.

Chester Village, 1992.

Chester Village, a residence for seniors, had been anticipated, but rather along demonstrates how two local churches the Danforth and the streets running dealt with declining memberships and south of it. In 1907 the congregation of changing community demographics in Chester Presbyterian Church resolved the 1960s. to relocate, and two years later pur­ North Broadview Church stood on chased a site at the southeast corner of the site from 1911 to 1967. The congre­ Broadview and Dearbourne avenues. gation had been founded two decades North Broadview Presbyterian Church, earlier, Robertson's Landmarks of as the congregation was renamed, dedi­ Toronto noted, "principally through the cated its new church on 3 December exertions ofthe late Mr. E. A. Macdonald, 1911. In 1925 it became part of the sometime MayorofToronto." The "Baron United Church of Canada. of Chester," as Macdonald was dubbed The Danforth community changed by the Toronto press, was the major real radically in the 1950s and 1960s. Robert estate developer in Riverdale and Ch­ Thomas Allen's "flat suburb of English, ester in the 1880s. He started Chester Irish and Scotch" became multicultural, Presbyterian Church to encourage set­ with immigrants from Italy and Greece tlement in his subdivisions because, a the most predominant newcomers. In church history stated, he believed "no 1967, North Broadview United Church intelligent citizen would care to estab­ joined with Danforth United Church at lish a home in a community where no 310 Danforth Avenue, and the Broad­ church was readily accessible." In 1889, view Avenue church was demolished. a pretty frame church was built,largely The two congregations called themselves at Macdonald's expense, on the west Eastminster United Church, and de­ side of Don Mills Road (now Broadview) cided to build a home for senior citizens just north of Danforth. on the old North Broadview site. Ch­ However, when Toronto's expand­ ester Village opened in 1972. It now ing population began to move to the houses 165 residents, and is run by the northeast suburbs in the early 1900s, Broadview Foundation. Seven of the the newcomers did not settle on the Don Foundation's twelve directors must be Mills Road in the village of Chester as members ofEast minster United Church. 9 5. House

660 Broadview Avenue. G. W. Gouinlock, Architect. 1908-9.

William Peyton Hubbard, 1913. 660 Broadview Avenue, 1992. Toronto's first black alderman was born Hubbard moved his family to the in 1842, two years after his family moved large, 14-room house at 660 Broadview to the city as freed slaves from Virginia. Avenue following his defeat in 1908. A baker by trade, William Peyton Hub­ There he resided until his death in 1935 bard became one ofToronto's most popu­ at the age of93. The house was designed lar local politicians. Known as the by G. W. Gouinlock, then architect to "Cicero of the Council Chamber" be­ the Canadian National Exhibition. cause of his oratorical abilities, he was Frederick Langdon Hubbard (1878- first elected to City Council in 1894 and 1953), a Toronto Transportation Com­ then served 13 consecutive terms, fre­ missioner, lived next door to his father, quently as senior controller. In the at 662 Broadview Avenue. Both houses municipal elections of 1908, Hubbard have long since passed out of family was defeated, largely because of his hands. support for a public1y-owned electric The William Peyton Hubbard house power system. He re-entered politics was placed on the Toronto Historical only once, briefly, in 1913, but retired Board's Inventory of Heritage Proper­ when his wife became seriously ill. ties in 1978. On 29 September 1979 an Hubbard was a champion oftherightsof historiC plaque commemorating various minorities and a pioneer in the Hubbard's achievements was unveiled founding of Toronto Hydro. He also at the southwest corner of Broadview served in such capacities as justice of Avenue and Montcrest Boulevard in the peace, school trustee, harbour com­ , only a few hundred missioner, and, for four decades, as a yards from his home. representative to the House ofIndustry. 10 6a. Robert Powell House 6b. James Harris House 6a. 648 Broadview Avenue. H. Warren, Architect. 1907. 6b. 646 Broadview Avenue, northwest corner of Montcrest Boulevard. James L. Havill, Architect. 1908.

648 Broadview Avenue, 1992. 646 Broadview Avenue, 1992.

Both of these large, well-built houses worked for E. L. Foy Wholesale Liquors have been listed on the Toronto Histori­ and Cigars. cal Board's Inventory of Heritage Prop­ James Harris received a permit to erties since 1976. In size and style, they build a two-storey house with attic at are later manifestations of the type of the northwest corner of Broadview and houses that E. A. Macdonald buil t in the Hogarth on 22 June 1908. (Montcrest 1880s in Riverside, an area he promoted Boulevard was not so named until 1918.) as "Rosedale East." Apparently so many Harris was then the managing director physicians came to live along Broad­ of the Harris Abattoir Company. His view Avenue, that it became known as family had run a large butchering busi­ "Doctors'Row." ness, W. Harris & Co., in the east end Broadview Avenue was originally from 1870. It was located first on King­ called Mill Road or Don Mills Road ston Road (Queen Street East), then on because it gave access to the mills on the Pape Avenue, and finally at the north­ Don River. In 1884, the section between east corner of Danforth and Coxwell Queen and Danforth was renamed avenues. The Harris Abattoir Com­ Broadview Avenue because of its spec­ pany, a separate but associated corpo­ tacular views. John Ross Robertson ration, was formed in 1901, and became decried the new name as a "high sound­ part of Canada Packers Ltd. in 1927. ing, fanciful appellation." James Havill was architect of646 Broad­ Robert Powell received a building view. His major commission at that permi t to build a two-storey stone dwell­ time was the impressive four-storey ing on the west side of Broadview, just brick emporium for Holt, Renfrew & north of Hogarth on 13 May 1907. He Co., still standing at 118 . 11 7. Riverdale Park

Riverdale Park, 13 May 1922. Riverdale Park has been a community location for a jail and industrial farm, recreational spot for year round activi­ for at that time this land was still out­ ties for well over a century. During side the city limits, and unpopulated winter months in the early days, skat­ except for farmers and market garden­ ers thronged to the frozen Don River ers. The Don Jail was opened in 1865 running through the park. The park's and still stands. bobsled run was an exciting ride for the Meanwhile, in the 1870s the City daring. If you were good, you could acquired property on the west side ofthe make a run of more than a half-mile Don River for a park, initially referred down South Hill all the way to Winches­ to as the "Eastern Public Park." How­ ter Street. During the summer, the Don ever when the park officially opened on was still fresh enough for swimmers, 11 August 1880, it was called Riverdale fishermen and boaters. And, of course, Park. In 1890, the park increased in Riverdale Zoo, started in 1899 with size to 162 acres when the City set aside donations from private citizens, was a for park purposes all the lands acquired fascinating place to view exotic animals. from the Scadding estate, except for a The park was also the site for sports and small portion reserved for the Don Jail, other community events. For example, the Riverdale Isolation Hospital and the Fair for Britain in August 1942, the Smallpox HospitaL featuring J. W. Conklin's All-Canadian In the early 1960s, Riverdale Park show, raised nearly $43,000 for the was bisected by the Don Valley Park­ El!ening Telegram's British War Vic­ way and its area was reduced to 104 tims'Fund. acres. To compensate, Toronto Parks Riverdale Park was established Department unveiled in 1962 a through a series offortuitous events. In $1,250,000 plan to improve the park's 1856, the City of Toronto paid the Scad­ recreational facilities. This included ding family £10,000 (or $40,000) for the soccer and football fields, baseball dia­ remaining 119.75 acres of their farm. monds, a quarter-mile track, a wading The property had been a crown grant to pool, a fifty-foot toboggan slope, a swim­ John Scadding in 1793, and originally ming pool, an ice rink, field houses, and consisted of230 acres running from the an indoor centre which could include waterfront to the Second Concession tennis courts. Riverdale Zoo closed in Road (Danforth Avenue), between the 1974. opened on the Don River and today's Broadview Ave­ site in 1978. nue. The City considered thi,s a safe 12 8. Hogarth/Heys House

58 Hogarth Avenue, northwest corner of Bowden Street. Ca. 1875. Addition by architect R. McCallum, 1913.

58 Hogarth Avenue, ca. 1975.

This house, with its large open veran­ a north wing and attached verandah to dah, rural style and well-treed lot, the house. harkens back to a time when orchards The house remained in the Heys and market gardens, not houses and family until 1964. After that, it was stores, characterised the area. In 1858, allowed to deteriorate. It was a rooming John Wilson Bowden, a builder, acquired house for a time and then left vacant for most of the land north of the present two years, when it was badly vandal­ Hogarth Avenue to the Danforth, be­ ized. New owners planned to tear down tween today's Broadview and Logan the house and erect two pairs of semi­ avenues. He subdivided the largely detached dwellings on the site, but were undeveloped property in 1871. blocked by local ratepayers at the On­ In 1875, Thomas Hogarth, principal tario Municipal Board in 1974. of York Township School Section 10, Subsequent owners have restored Riverside, bought the lot now known as and repaired the old house. It still has 58 Hogarth Avenue (the street was called many original doors and window frames Wilson until 1896) and built the major . - one of the most interesting features is part of the brick, one-and-a-half- storey the pair of floor to ceiling windows on house which stands today. He sold the the south ground floor. The huge lower property in 1882 to his daughter, Eli­ sashes lift up into the second floor walls. nor, and her husband, Thomas Heys. There are several large fireplaces in the Heys was an analytical chemist and seven-room house and much ofthe origi­ assayer who also taught at the-Toronto nal wood flooring remains. The Hog­ School of Pharmacy. The Heys kept arth Avenue farmhouse was placed on chickens on the property and had a barn the Toronto Historical Board's Inven­ to house the family carriage. They added tory ofHeritage Properties in 1974. 13 9. House 69 Hogarth Avenue. Architects: Owen Staples and C. W. Jeffreys. Builder: C. T. Jeffreys. 1904.

The front wall of 69 Hogarth Avenue years before his death. At first, Staples bears a small plaque "Owen Staples did political and portrait cartoons but Studio." Owen Staples (1866-1949) was soon he was assigned the job ofill ustrat­ a man of many parts, with exceptional ing Robertson's vast historical collec­ talent in fine art, music, writing, nature tion, given to Toronto Public Library in study and historical research. He is 1911. Robertson's Landmarks of best known, though ,for his watercolours Toronto, a six-volume history published and etchings, and for the hundreds of by John Ross Robertson from 1894 to sketches, illustrations and paintings he 1914, contained many Staples illustra­ did of the Toronto scene, depicting his tions including almost all the 300 own time and reconstructing the city's churches in volume 4. During that past. His work is preserved in collec­ period, Staples was commissioned by tions at the National Gallery of Canada, Robertson to paint a series of panoramic the , the Royal views depicting York and Toronto from Ontario Museum, the John Ross 1792 to 1908. The nine enormous paint­ Robertson Collection at the Metropoli­ ings were given to the City of Toronto. tan Toronto Library, and in many pri­ Owen Staples and C. W. Jefferys, vate collections. a fellow historical artist, designed the Staples was born in the village of cottage-style house on Hogarth Avenue Stone-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, England, in the early 1900s. It was built in 1904 and came to Canada at the age of six by Jefferys' father, using discarded with his family, settlingin Hamilton. In bricks from local Don Valley yards. The 1878, when Owen was ten, his father northern ground floor was designed as died, and the family moved to Roches­ the hub of the house, and served as the ter, New York where Mrs. Frances family living room and Staples' studio. Staples obtained work as a nurse. Owen The house cost about $2,000 to build worked also and in due course was and the 30-foot lot was $300 or $10 a em p loyed at the Rochester Art Cl ub as a foot. (Dorothy Staples later observed messenger boy. He soon was inspired to that her father was not much of a busi­ try etching and painting, and when he nessman - the going rate for land in the was only 13 years old won his first prize Danforth area at the time was $8 a foot.) for a canvas exhibi ted at the Powers Art There were then only a few houses on Gallery, Rochester. Staples later stud­ Hogarth. The surrounding hills, open ied at the Rochester Art Club, the Phila­ fields and orchards were an ideal place delphia Academy of Fine Arts, and with for the five Staples children to play. G. A. Reid in Toronto, as well as at the With his wife, Lillian, Staples hosted Art Students' League, New York City. popular "Sunday afternoons" at their Orphaned at the age of 14, Staples home where well-known business fig­ returned to Toronto in 1885 and secured ures, artists and local residents mingled a job as staff artist at the Mail. In the and were entertained. The Owen Staples mid-1890s, he went to work for John house was placed on the Toronto His­ Ross Robertson's Evening Telegram, torical Board's Inventory of Heritage where he was to be employed until two Properties in 1976. 14 Owen Staples house, ca. 1905.

Owen Staples in his studio, ca. 1905.

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Baln Avenue

16 17 10. Danforth Baptist Church 60 Bowden Avenue, southwest corner of Danforth Avenue. Ca. 1914. Extension to Danforth frontage, 1931.

Danforth Baptist Church, 1992. Danforth Baptist Church began in 1884 cornerstone for Danforth Baptist Church as a mission of Baptist was laid in 1911, and the new church Church. For ten years, Chester Baptist , opened shortly before the First World Mission met at Danforth Hall, a popular War. In 1919, Owen Staples, a promi­ country hotel, meeting place and dance nent Toronto artist and the church's hall, which stood at the northwest cor­ choir leader, presented a large (5 x 8 ft.) n~r of Danforth and Ellerbeck from ca. mural painting in memory of the men of 18,80 to ca. 1910. Mr. G. R. Roberts of the church who had lost their lives in the Baptist Book Room ran the Sunday the First World War. It still hangs in school and student pastors conducted the southwest corner of the sanctuary. the Sunday evening services. In 1894, An extension was placed on the Dan­ the congregation paid John Cudmore forth Avenue frontage of the church in $1,000 for a lot on Don Mills Road (now 1931. Broadview Avenue) at (now Today Danforth Baptist is a lively Pretoria Avenue), and constructed a church with three ministers and three small church costing $2,500. Robertson's congregations. Besides the church on Landmarks recorded that "every cent of Danforth Avenue, there are smaller this was in hand before the first sod was meeting places in South Riverdale and turned for the foundation ofthe church." the Gerrard/Coxwell area. The revital­ Chester Baptist Church officially izing programme began in 1982 when became an independent church on 10 membership had declined to about 30 September 1903, with Reverend R. H. seniors. The Danforth Cafe has been set Mode as the first minister. Among the up in the basement of the Danforth 41 charter members was "Mrs. W. [Mary] church to present entertainment and to Diefenbaker," whose husband, William, discuss social issues. Weekly neigh­ had been teaching at Plains Road School bourhood suppers and a food bank have and whose elder son, John, went on to been established to provide low cost become Canada's prime minister from meals. The church also has become 1957 to 1963. home to Danforth Counselling Services On 23 August 1911, the congrega­ and to Danforth Ecuhomes, a group tion purchased 50 feet of land on the which purchases and leases neigh­ south side ofDanforth Avenue for $2,690 bourhood properties to low-income earn­ and relocated from Don Mills Road. The ers for communal homes. 18 11. Allen's Danforth Theatre

147 Danforth Avenue. Hynes, Feldman & Watson, Architects. 1919. Altered in 1929 for H. J. Chown.

Allen's Danforth Theatre, 1919. Movies were a very popular form of ment." Theatre-goers entered under a entertainment for Danforth area resi­ wrought iron canopy, and through a dents. One of the first movie theatres lobby and a connecting foyer into a 1,600- was Wilson's, built ca. 1908 at Danforth seat auditorium. The auditorium had and Broadview. Others quickly sprang curved walls, an oval ceiling, and was up along the street as the area began to coloured in subtle shades of grey, blue boom. By 1921 there were five movie and old rose. It was still a luxurious houses between Broadview and Pape: place, however, with tapestry silk wall the Allen near Broadview, the Model at panels, high French windows draped Arundel, the lola at Gough, the Palace with gold-trimmed rose velour(also used at Pape and the Playtori urn (sometimes for the curtains of the proscenium and called Playter Fun Theatre). By the the boxes), and extensive low relief Depression, a host of theatres flour­ Adamesque plaster decoration on the ished on the Danforth including the walls, ceiling and proscenium. Vene­ Prince of Wales at Woodbine, managed tian marble stairs led to the mezzanine. for years by the Summerville family, all Although the theatre's name has the way east to the Grover at Dawes changed several times over the years (it Road. is now known as the Music Hall and Allen's Danforth Theatre was one presents live theatre productions), the of ten playhouses constructed in Toron to AT inscription on the building'S facade following the First World War by the is evidence of the theatre's first name. national chain owned by Jule and John Allen's Danforth Theatre was placed on J. Allen. Construction ofNovember 1919 the Toronto Historical Board's Inven­ noted that the architects designed it to tory of Heritage Properties in 1985. provide "artistic and comfortable sur­ Other exterior architectural features roundings," where distracting interior noted by the Board include extensive decorations were carefully eliminated. patterned brickwork in Flemish bond This was in deliberate and striking and herringbone band course; windows contrast to most movie theatres of the with concrete surrounds, entablature day which were in "r.emodelled struc­ and sills; opal glass windows; and a tures [with] a plethora of heavy orna- marquee on chains. 19 12. Playter Farmhouse 28 Playter Crescent. Ca. 1875.

Playter farmhouse, ca. 1890. The Playter family were among the for York Township in the 1880s. The red earliest settlers in Toronto. Captain brick, rectangular house was decorated George Playter (1736-1822), a Loyalist with "white" (Le. yellow) brick patterns officer, was granted a front town lot in which are still discernible. The seg­ York in 1793 as well as a par!t lot and mented arch at each window features two farm lots totally 500 acres in York alternate red and white brickwork. An Township. He established a farm on the arrow-pattern white brick band circles river meadows of his 200 acres on the the middle of the house and the sills of west side of the Don (Lot 20, Concession the second floor windows. The series of 2 from the Bay), and built his home on arrowheads meet at the central opening the western edge ofthe hills above Castle to the second floor verandah above the Frank, and "where is now the property main entrance. known as Drumsnab," according to Two brothers of John Lea Playter, Toronto historian Henry Scadding. Albert E. and William, altered the ap­ George Playter had five daughters pearance of the original house in the and five sons. John, James and Ely pat­ early 1900s. The open, airy wooden ented land grants on the Don River in porch, with its spool-turned trim and 1796. James Playter's 200-acre lot (Lot delicate fretted brackets, was replaced 11, Concession 2 from the Bay) was with a sun room and a verandah ofwood directly across the river from his father's. with fieldstone wall base. All but one of Itraneastfrom the Don and was roughly the unusually high triple-hung sash win­ bounded by the present-day Donlands, dows on the first floor were shortened. Danforth and Browning avenues. Evi­ The carved posts on the balcony were dently, though, JohnPlayter(1770-1853) replaced by straight slats. Roof dormers lived on or near this property almost and a stone fence were other later addi­ from the beginning - he was appointed tions. pathmasterofthe Mill RoadOater Broad­ The land around the house contin­ view Avenue) in 1799 - but did not for­ uedtobe used for farming until ca. 1910. mally buy it from his brother's family By 1912 the property was subdivided, until 1831. streets were opened up and substantial The farmhouse at 28 Playter Cres­ houses erected on what is still known as cent was erected in the mid-1870s by the . The Playter farm­ John Lea Playter (1846-1923), a grand­ house, which remains in the Playter son of John Playter and his wife, ~ah family possession, was placed on the Ellerbeck. Like many Playters, he was Toronto Historical Board's Inventory of a dairy farmer and market gardener, Heritage Properties in 1981. An his, and was also involved in local govern­ toric plaque was unveiled there on 2 ment - he was assessor, then collector June 1984. 20 13. Carrot Common

348 Danforth Avenue. 1926. Second storey and west addition, 1986-8. Paul Reuber, Architect.

Nothing exemplifies the Danforth's thrive: in the 1960s it tore down John transformation from the string of car Lea Playter's house for a used car lot. lots and discount stores ofthe 1950s and The firm was sold in about 1982 and 1960s to the colourful, trendy shopping renamed Peter Burdon Pontiac Buick. district of today more than Carrot Land values along the Danforth Common. The site was part of the boomed during the 1980s. Tridel took original crown grant to the Playter out an option on the Danforth-Jackman family, and in the 1890s John Lea property in about 1985 and planned to Playter buil t a grand, three-storey brick build a high-rise building, but strong house on the northeast corner of Dan­ neighbourhood opposition forced can­ forth and Jackman avenues. cellation of the project. In July 1986, With the opening of the Prince Ed­ Big Carrot Natural Food Market, a ward Viaduct in 1918, automobile traf­ cooperatively-owned natural food store fic along the Danforth increased dra­ then located across the Danforth at matically. W. S. (Bill) Giles opened one Hampton, and developer David Walsh of the district's first car dealerships in acquired the site from the Playter fam­ 1919. Instead of going into downtown ily. The following year, in October 1987, Toronto to seek his fortune, "he pinned they and other partners opened Carrot his faith in the Danforth district." Giles, Common, named in tribute to the mall's Rice & Peters Ltd. sold Chevrolets and most famous tenant. The 36,000 sq. ft. McLaughlin-Buicks at Danforth and shopping centre combined old and new Chisholm. When the Pontiac car was structures around a central plaza, and introduced in 1926, Giles immediately included stores, offices, a restaurant organized the firm ofW. S. Giles, Lim­ and parking. The old automobile show­ ited to handle the new line, and opened rooms were renovated and extended to a second showroom, at Danforth and Danforth Avenue. A second storey was Jackman. One of his sales managers, placed on existing buildings, and a new George Hogan, took over the business in two·storey structure was added to the October 1928. west side of the property. As car sales soared in the 1920s, Carrot Common is an interesting other entrepreneurs soon followed Giles. blend ofcommerce and community. Fifty Before long virtually every block along percentofthemal1'sprofits go into Carrot Danforth Avenue had at least one car Cache, a foundation which supports lot. By the 1950s, the Danforth, espe­ small, worker-owned businesses and cially east of Pape, was the centre of social justice groups. The central court­ Toronto's used car business. A decade yard has become a popular neigh­ later the car business has spread all bourhood meeting place. The second over the city and into the suburbs. The fl oor houses organi zations such as N a tu­ Danforth lost its preeminence as an ral Health Centre, Common Ground automobile centre, and many new and magazine, and Bread and Roses Credit used car firms closed or relocated. Hogan Union. Pontiac Buick, however, continued to 21 Carrot Common, 1992.

John Lea Playter house, ca. 1895. 22 14. St. Barnabas Anglican Church

361 Danforth, southeast corner of Hampton Avenue. 1910. Architect: Andrew Sharp. Addition for parish hall and Sunday School, 1918. Addition, 1923.

St. Barnabas (Chester) Anglican Church,1910s. St. Barnabas Anglican Church is the came a separate parish. oldest congregation in the Danforth Between 1904 and 1906, the original district. It was established in 1858 as a church was enlarged, but an attempt to mission church of St. John's, Norway buy adjacent land for a Sunday School during the rectorship ' of Dr. James and rectory failed. Realizing that popu­ Beaven (1801-75). He is credited with lation had shifted to the Danforth, St. giving the community the name of Barnabas' moved its church to its pres­ Chester after the old Roman city in entsiteinSeptember1907. Heavyrl}ins Cheshire, 'England. slowed down the process, and the church On 22 July 1858, John Playter's was grounded, according to a church widow, Sarah, and her three sons, history, "standing on beams, on the Emmanuel, John, and Richard Eller­ King's highway, about eighty yards from beck, conveyed to the Church Society of its final destination." The congregation the Diocese of Toronto a quarter-acre was determined to have its regular site on the east side oftoday's Ellerbeck Sunday services in the church, so it Avenue, some 200 yards north of the installed a temporary ramp, and wor­ Don and Danforth Road (now Danforth shipped in the middle of Danforth Ave­ Avenue). The following year, a pretty nue. One hymn that was sung with Gothic-style, board and batten church particular fervour that Sunday morn­ was constructed. Known first as St. ing was "The Church is One Founda­ John's, Playter's Corners; then as St. tion." John's Chester, and even as the Church The old building soon was hopelessly of the Epiphany from 1862-71, it took overcrowded. On 10 December 1910, the name of St. Barnabas' (Chester) in Bishop Sweeny opened a new brick 1872. Chester was used to distinguish it church with seating for 500 people. The from another Toronto-area Anglican original church stood as a parish hall church also named St. Barnabas, but until 1918, when more land was p~r­ now is used less frequently since the chased on Hampton Avenue and a n~w other St. Barnabas Church closed. parish hall and Sunday school was con­ For nearly half a century, the clergy structed. The land for the parish hall and laymen of St. John's, Norway min­ cost $8,000, a far cry from the $400 paid istered in this "quaint, plain structure, for the church site in 1907. An addition picturesque among the surrounding to the east side of the church was com­ trees." In 1903, Toronto's northern pleted in 1923, extending its seating expansion justified the appointment of capacity to 1,000 persons and joining full-time rector, Reverend Frank Vipond, the main building to the parish hall. and two years later St. Barnabas' be- 23 15. Percy Waters Florist 445 Danforth Avenue

Percy Waters Florist, ArmisticeDay, 11 November 1918. Percy Waters Florist has been on the ever, he was never far from his family as Danforth for more than 80 years. Percy they lived right above the store. At that and Lulu (Louise) Waters opened a time, Waters had to travel by horse­ flower and nursery stock store on the drawn wagon down the dirt road that south side of Danforth Avenue between was Logan Avenue in order to pick up Hampton and Logan in 1911. The the plants and flowers that were ex­ Danforth was an ideal location for an press shipped to him at the Riverdale enterpri sing young family to set up shop. Station at Queen and DeGrassi streets. There were no other retail nurseries in To supplement his income, Waters used the area; new houses in need of land­ the same wagon to deliver laundry along scaping ""ere being built on nearby the Danforth as far east as Victoria streets such as Logan, Wolfrey and Park Avenue, while Lulu minded the Jackman; and with the city planning to store. This taxing life style weakened construct a streetcar line along Dan­ Waters' resistance, and he died ofinflu­ forth and to build a viaduct across the enzain 1917. His widow and three sons, Don River, there was the prospect of Kenneth, Russell and Victor, were left many more residents and customers. to carryon the fledgling business. Like the other early merchants on the Kenneth eventually became an alder­ Danforth, Waters worked long hours: man and school trustee for the area. weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p:m. The business continued to be operated and Saturdays until midnight. How- by the Waters family until 1978. 24 16. Frankland School 816 Logan Avenue. 1981. Brook, Carruthers, Shaw, Architects.

Frankland School, 1912; demolished 1980. Frankland School began in 1909 in a September 1951. The school property two-room portable structure on the was completely redeveloped in the early present site with Miss Edmunds and 1980s, although the original entrance Miss Calvert, two teachers from Ch­ way was preserved. The new school ester School, in charge. The first perma­ officially opened on 8 May 1981. nent building was erected the following Frankland School was named in year, and on 25 October 1910 the school honour of the Frankland family. Gar­ officially opened although only four of rett Frankland settled on the Don and the eleven rooms were ready. With the Danforth Road, as Danforth Avenue was building of the Bloor Viaduct and the known then, in the 1850s. Both he and opening of the Danforth streetcar line, his son, Henry Robert, were butchers by the community of "good honest work­ trade whorepresented the area forrnany ing-class people"in the Danforth-Broad­ years at local government. view area grew rapidly. Eighteen rooms Counted among Frankland gradu­ were added to the school within four ates are former Toronto mayor Donald years. By 1917, Frankland had the Summerville; broadcaster and journal­ third highest enrolment of any Toronto ist, Gordon Sinclair; and author Robert school with over 1,400 pupils, and class­ Thomas Allen, whose nostalgic writings rooms of more than 50 pupils each were often were based on his boyhood in the common. Frankland became a junior Danforth area. (All are deceased.) school, kindergarten to Grade 6, in 25 17. Sunland Fruit Market

Sunkist Fruit Market, 15 October 1934. The open-air fruit and vegetable mar­ Salvatore and Maria's five sons and two ket is a well-known feature of Danforth daughters, and his partner, Sam Avenue that adds to the district's "Old Comella, began to run a fruit market at World" atmosphere. Two of the busiest Danforth and Carlaw avenues. Accord­ examples of this colourful style ofbusi­ ing to owners of the market, "the sun ness are found at the corners of Dan­ would shine from sunrise to sunset at forth and Carlaw, and Danforth and this corner, which l~d to the name Gough avenues. SunkistFruit Market." The store wasn't Before the Second World War, the large enough to hold all the produce so city's Italians dominated the fruit retail some was displayed on the sidewalk. trade. Italian immigrants began to open Sunkist Fruit Market was one of the fruit stores on the Danforth in about first in Toronto to remain open 24 hours 1914, with the building of the Prince a day - ironically to save the time of Edward Viaduct. By 1925, fruit traders moving the ever-increasing quantities from Sicily were operating at least nine of produce in and out of the store each stores along Danforth Avenue, accord­ day. ing to historian John Zucchi. Around Most of the city's Italian fruit stores that time they included Vito Simone, were passed on within the family, or the Acquanno brothers, Joseph Comella, from townsman to townsman. When the Azzarellos, and Salvatore and Ma­ Badali retired in 1950, Sam Comella ria Badali. took over the business and, a decade The Badalis carne to Toronto from later, upon his own retirement, passed Termini Imerese, Sicily on their honey­ the business to his son. In 1967, Jack moon in 1905 and opened their first Comella, who had been working for fruit store at East and Sunkist Food Markets for several years, Sumach Street. The growing family purchased the business from his cousin returned to Italy for a visit just as the and brought his friend, Angelo Pug­ First World War broke out. Mr. Badali, liese, into the fold. The first Danforth though a Canadian citizen, was drafted Avenue store was followed by larger, into the Italian army. The family did additional stores offering a wide range not get back to Toronto for another six of grocery products. Sunkist Food years. Upon their return, the Badalis Markets today operates three modern acquired a fruit store at 449 Danforth supermarkets, twoin Markham and one Avenue, near Logan Avenue, which they in Mississauga. The Danforth store was operated in the 1920s and 1930s. sold in 1986, and is now called Sunland In 1929, Sam Badali, the eldest of Fruit Market. 26 18. Greek Orthodox Church of Ste. Irene Chrisovalantou 66 Gough Avenue.

r

66 Gough Avenue, 1992. Greeks began coming to Toronto in the tele), Greek street signs, and the classi­ early 1900s, but substantial emigration cal architecture of the National Bank of did not occur until after the Second Greece and other buildings bearing the World War, peaking between the years names of Hellenic associations signify 1966 and 1970. The early emigrant's the neighbourhood's most prevalent and purpose was quite simple, states histo­ flourishing culture. Each year on the rian Lia Douramakou-Petroleka: "to Sunday nearest March 25, Danforth make money in order to iin~rove his Avenue is filled with spectators waving economic and social standing in his home Greek flags and blue and white banners village." as children dressed in national costumes, Toronto's "Little Greece" sprang up marching bands and horsemen parade on Danforth Avenue in the sixties, bring­ along the street. The huge procession ing the sights, smells and sounds of the commemorates Greece's independence Aegean: fresh-killed lambs hanging in from the Ottoman Empire in 1821, and butcher shop windows; steaming caul­ coincides with the Feast of the Annun­ drons of moussaka and spits of sizzling ciation of the Virgin Mary. Another souvlaki cooking in restaurant kitch­ parade along the Danforth is held on the ens; and bouzouki music playing in nearest Sunday to October 28, Ohhe tavernas and kafTenions. Since then Day (Memorial Day), which honours re­ many Greeks have moved out of the sistance fighters and those who lost their area to suburbs in , North lives in the Second World War. York and Scarborough, but they con­ Several Greek churches are in the tinue to return for shopping, socializing Danforth area. Ste. Irene's Church was and worshipping. established in 1975, and has grown Today, the Danforth is the centre of dramatically since then. Ifthe design of the Greek community in Metropolitan the church appears to be a bit curious, Toronto, numbering around 100,000 there is a good reason. The building was people. Numerous restaurants and originally an automobile repair shop. businesses (serving a new upscale clien- 27 19. Church of the Holy Name

606 Danforth Avenue, northeast corner of Gough Avenue. A.W. Holmes, Architect. 1914-26.

Holy Name Church, 1926. The Renaissance styling of Holy Name commissions in the Toronto area." He Church blends in well with the Mediter­ designed Holy Name to follow the gen­ ranean atmosphere of Danforth Avenue eral lines and proportions of S. Marie today. However when the parish was Maggiore in Rome, Italy. The front en­ established in 1913, it was largely an trances were not placed directly on to Irish-Catholic congregation. Initially the busy Danforth but rather to a tiled Father Michael Cline celebrated mass terrace enclosed by a stone balustrade. on the second floor ofthe separate school Stone steps at either end gave ~ccess to which opened in 1913 on Carlaw Ave­ and from the street level. The 68 x 170 nuejust south of the Danforth. foot limestone church was buH t at a cost Excavations for Holy Name Church ofalmost $200,000, and could seat 1,050 began in 1914, and by 1915 the base­ people. It was only the second church in ment was completed. However, the Canada to use indirect lighting. magnificent superstructure was not The Church of the Holy Name was o~ned and formally dedicated for an­ listed in the Toronto Historical Board's other 11 years, on 14 March 1926. The Inventory ofHeritage Properties in 1976. architect was Arthur W. Holmes, de­ It remains unchallenged as the scribed by Eric Arthur and Stephen Otto Danforth's most impressive architec­ in Toronto, No Mean City as, "the pre­ turallandmark. eminent architect for Roman Catholic 28 20. Royal Bank

646 Danforth Avenue, northeast corner ofPape Avenue. Bond & Smith. 1925.

Royal Bank, 1992.

The Toronto Historical Board has listed Historical Board stated: "646 Danforth two Danforth Avenue banks in its In­ is a significant example of a late Beaux ventory of Heritage Properties. One is Arts bank building, and exhibits fine the Canadian Imperial Bank of Com­ terracotta detailing." Important fea­ merce at the northeast corner of Dan­ tures include the shallow terracotta forth and Broadview avenues, designed columns with recessed spandrels and by architect V. D. Horsburgh in 1918. concrete base. Especially noteworthy is The other is the Royal Bank, originally the beaux ans ornamentation in the a Union Bank branch, at the northeast entablature, between the columns and corner of Danforth and Pape avenues. the eaves. It includes a metal cornice Both buildings are in prQminent corner with modified triglyph, metope and locations, with architectural designs well dentils; and a frieze and an architrave suited to their prime sites. with signage, cartouches (rounded, In its architectural assessment of convex decorations) and bay leaf gar­ the Royal Bank branch, the Toronto land mouldings. 29 21. Pape/Danforth Library

701 Pape Avenue. George, Moorehouse & King, Architects, 1929. Retrofit by Sankey Partnership Architects, 1977. Retrofit by William Woodworth, Architect, 1983. Retrofit by Lett/Smith, Architects, 1992.

Danforth,Branch, Toronto Public Library, 1929.

In 1928, panes, an overhang to the upper granted $100,000 for buildings and sites storey, a timbered front, a for branch libraries in the Danforth and heavy panelled door, a shingled Runnymede districts. A 40 x 110 foot and gabled roof. A swinging si te for the former was acquired at a cost sign, painted in bright colors, of$10,578, and Danforth Branch opened completes the scheme. on 20 November 1929. On opening day, the Danforth Business Men's Associa­ The building was built for $34,814 tion gave a celebration luncheon where and covered almost the entire lot. The speeches were made by Mayor Samuel lower floor housed the adult and adoles­ McBride, library officials, local alder­ cent library rooms, and the upper, with men and business people. a separate approach, the children's read­ Chief Librarian George Locke de­ ing and story-hour rooms and staffwork scribed the new building as, "confessedly and rest rooms. a library adapted to commercial condi­ Originally designed to hold upwards tions - the most attractive shop in a of 13,000 volumes, in 1991 the library district of shops." An article in the had a collection of 46,732 books and December 1930 issue of Royal Architec­ other media in a several languages and tural Institute of Canada Journal de­ circulated 228,903 items. The library cribed how store architecture was re­ has had interior renovations to cope flected in the library's design: with growing collections and changing "­ needs. ,Exterior changes have altered The front of the building is in the building's Tudor facade. It was the style ofan old English shop renamed PapelDanforth Branch on 20 front: bay windows, small glass June 1979. 30 22. Bain House 14 Dingwall Avenue. 1860.

Bain House, ca. 1979. This lovely Georgian-style cottage is one Day Nursery there. of the oldest buildings in Through her efforts, the Neil Bain house and a significant local landmark. It was was designated under the Ontario Heri­ build in 1859-60 by Robert Sargant, and tage Act by a bylaw passed by Toronto sold in 1869 to Neil Kennedy Bain, an City Council on 18 April 1988. At that immigrant from Dingwall, Scotland, time, Council's minutes recorded: employed by John Taylor and Co., the prominent manufacturer of safes and The building is symmetrical vaults. Bain's original address for the withabalancedfacade. Impor­ property was listed as Mount Pleasant, tant features include a raised Leslieville, probably in reference to its basement floor, shuttered case­ commanding position overlooking the ment and double-hung win­ low lands and lake to the south. Appar­ dows, decorative quoins and tall ently Bain had a market garden on his chimneys. Other significant property, and sold the produce at three elements include the pedi­ grocery stores and a flour and feed store mented porch, exterior steps, he operated. and panelled doorway. James Bain (1877-1974), a son of Neil Kennedy Bain, was the last family The Toronto Historical Board presented member to own the house. From his Mrs. Koivula with a letter of commen­ birthplace in the north side bedroom at tion in 1989 "for the dedication of one 14 Dingwall Avenue, James Bain be­ property owner to the preservation of came a world traveller and adventurer. her historic property at 14 Dingwall He was in the Yukon during the Klon­ Avenue." dike gold rush of the 1890s, and served Ecuhome Corporation, an ecumeni­ in the U. S. Navy during the First World cal coalition of seven Christian denomi­ War where he survived the sinking of nations dedicated to providing "clean, three ships. In the 1920s, Bain went on safe, and affordable housing to single three Arctic explorations, including one adults who are on a low or fixed income" expedition with the famous Danish purchased the property in 1990. It has explorer, Knud Rasmussen. converted it into a shared accommoda­ James Bain sold the house in 1966 tion residence. to Edit A. Koivula who operated the 31 Origin of Danforth Street Names

Bain: The family ofthat name, which owned tee for York Township School Section No. 27, the house at 14 Dingwall Avenue from 1869 Chester. The Frankland family settled at the to 1967. See Dingwall. northeast corner of Pape and Danforth in Bowden: John Wilson Bowden, a builder, 1858. See Muriel. who purchased land in the area in 1858 and Gough: Renamed 1922, was Moscow. J. L. subdivided it in 1871. See Hogarth. McLaren wrote: "One of the very earliest Broadview: For the broad view obtained streets in the Danforth district. Before an­ from it. Renamed in 1884; originally it was nexation it was but a series of small houses, Mill Road, being but a wagon trail through while today, it is as up to date as any of the the woods from Kingston Road (Queen Street) streets along the avenue." to the mills on the Don. In 1798, the govern­ Hogarth: Thomas Hogarth, princi pal ofYork ment instructed Timothy Skinner, owner of Township School Section 10, Riverside, who the mills, to build the road. The section south in 1875 bought a lot and built the major part of Queen was called Scadding Street; parts of the house which still stands at 58 Hogarth north ofDanforth were called Don Mills Road Avenue. Renamed 1896, was Wilson. See until 1913 and 1922. Bowden. Butternut: It was cut through an old butter­ Ingham: Joshua Ingham(b. 1833), a butcher nut grove that stood for many years at the and cattle dealer from Lancashire, England, rear of the Playter farm. See Playter. who was an alderman for St. Matthew's Ward Cambridge: Likely the English university (1887) and a trustee for Chester School. He of that name. lived on the Don Mills Road, Chester Village. Carlaw: Major J. A. Carlaw (b. 1840), cash­ Jackman: Mary Jackman who married John ier of the Grand Trunk Railway in Toronto Lea Playter (1846-1923) in 1875. and land owner in the area. Logan: The Logan family who were market Chester: After Chester, the old Roman city gardeners from the 1850s, and who later in Cheshire, England. Dr. James Beaven operated brickyards in the area. (1801-75), the first minister of St. Barnabas' Muriel: A daughter ofH. R. Frankland. See Anglican Church (Chester), is credited with Gertrude. giving the community the name. Pape: The Pape family who were market Danforth: Asa Danforth (1746-1836), an gardeners in the area for three generations. American contractor, who was hired by the Joseph Pape came to Toronto from Leeds in government of in 1799 to 1842 and soon established a market garden construct a road from York east to the Bay of along Kingston Road (Queen). His son, James, Quinte. was a florist on Carlaw in the 1880s, and an Dingwall: A burgh in the Highland region of alderman for St. Lawrence Ward. northern Scotland, near the head of Cro­ Playter: The Playter family, Loyalists, who marty Firth. It was the birthplace of Neil patented crown land grants in the area in Kennedy Bain, who bought a house in the 1796. See Butternut, Ellerbeck, Jackman. area in 1869. See Bain. Pretoria: To honour the participation of Ellerbeck: Sarah Ellerbeck, a Loyalist, who Canadian soldiers at Pretoria, the capital of married John Playter (1770-1853) on 1 Au­ the South African Republic, which fell to the gust 1796 in Kingston, Onto See Playter. British in August 1900. Renamed 1910, was Ferrier: J. L. McLaren noted in Stories of John Street. the Danforth (1921): "Opened on a ten acre Royal: So named in 1939 (was Winchester lot by a market gardener named Ferrier, well Dr.) to commemorate the visit ofKing George known around the St. Lawrence Market about VI and Queen Elizabeth to Toronto on 22 the beginning of the present centUly." Later May 1939. The royal couple drove on it in a the Ferriers operated a hardware store at the visit to Riverdale Park; they also travelled northeast corner of Danforth and Ferrier. along Danforth Avenue. Frizzell: Rev. William Frizzell (d. 1910), a Sparkhall: Cubett Sparkhall (b. 1821) a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who in native of Norfolk, England, who operated a 1882 became the first minister of Leslieville butcher shop in Toronto, 1839-70. He pur­ (now Queen Street East) Presbyterian chased a farm on Logan's Lane in 1845 and Church. lived there for many years. Gertrude: A daughter of Henry Robertsha w Withrow: John J. Withrow, of Withrow and Frankland (1858-1921), butcher and cattle Hillock, lumber dealers. Withrow was an exporter; alderman for Toronto's Ward 1, alderman, 1873-8; a founder of the Toronto 1894-5 and 1898-9; appointed Collector of Industrial Exhibition (later the CNE), and Inland Revenue, 1899; director of Canadian its president, 1879-1900. NationalExhibition, 1903-21; and school trus- 32 Toronto Public "i Library