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home > articles > Region: Toronto: Welcome to Toronto
Welcome
to Toronto!
The City of Toronto is massive in size, as is it's character and history. To include all the buildings and sites that make Toronto great would be too much for any single article. What we attempt to include (as any outsider can possibly) is the sites that are known all over Ontario, and in some cases the world. Let us take a tour of one of the best cities in Canada, and arguably the biggest. This is a historic place with many sites that are still standing as they did over a century ago. Perfect for Haunted Hamilton, and this is why you will read much history, more than ghost stories, because the ghosts come wrapped in the package.
History
in the West
I have decided to write this artcle regionally, starting from the west end of the city and working our way east. Cherry
Hill: Colborne
Lodge:
History
in the Core
Fort
York: Gibraltar
Point Lighthouse: The
Hockey Hall of Fame: Osgoode
Hall: Queen's
Park: Massey
Hall: Old
City Hall: The
Mackenzie House: Casa
Loma: The
Keg Mansion: The
Royal Alexandra Theatre:
History
in the East The
Don Jail: Todmorden
Mills:
Conclusion
References: Books: Websites: Travel
Toronto: Canadian
Theatre: History
of the Silverthorns: Glass,
Steel and Stone: Toronto:
Heritage in the heart of the City
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Both
mine and Steph's interest in the city of Toronto began during the time
that we lived in East York. We often reminisce about that overpriced,
one-bedroom apartment. We visited many historic and haunted locations
when we lived there, and continue to make the trek back every now and
then. This is actually where our interest in the paranormal grew into
what it is today.
Just
west of Toronto is the city of Mississauga, home to the Cherry Hill
House. Joseph and Jane Silverthorn came to Mississauga and acquired
the grant for their land on Lot 11, north of current Dundas Street,
in 1807. Just under twenty years later they put the final touches on
the impressive Cherry Hill House, circa 1822. The name is derived from
the Cherry trees that lined the front of the Silverthorn's land. Today
the house is a famous restaurant and is rumored to be haunted.
Coming
into Toronto, within High Park we find Colborne Lodge. The Lodge derives
its name from Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, John Colborne, a
patron of architect and owner John Howard. Antique furniture graces
this suburban hideaway that was handed over to the city in 1873. The
transaction included the some 165-acres, plus the lodge, 45 or so acres
around the Lodge was to be made into a city park, which now sits in
the heart of High Park.
The
core of the city holds some of its best gems. Starting from the lake
we find the historic battlegrounds of Fort York. This historic War of
1812 fort was originally constructed in 1793 under the leadership of
Governor John Graves Simcoe. This fort would be the site of three separate
and bloody battles, two in 1813 and the last in 1814. Both battles of
1813 saw the fort destroyed by the Americans. Recaptured and rebuilt,
the fort was able to stave off an attack in 1814 and hold the Americans
at bay. The site was purchased by the city in 1909 and restored to perfection
as part of the centennial celebration in the early 1930's.
Standing
as a beacon at the head of the lake is Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. As
one of the most historic structures in Toronto, the lighthouse has stood
16m high since 1806. In 1832 it was expanded by 3.6m of Kingston stone,
and still stands this why as an icon that beautifully lit the way into
Toronto. An intriguing mystery surrounds this seemingly innocent spot
that involved it's first keeper J.P. Radan Muller, who served from 1809-1815.
Legend has it that he was murdered at the Lighthouse by a couple of
the Queen's soldiers stationed at Fort York. Supposedly J.P. would not
share his home brewed beer with the soldiers and in a rage they murdered
him. Panicking, the soldiers dismantled his body and buried the parts
around the lighthouse. George Durnan, keeper from 1853-1908, would later
find some human bones buried in different locations around the lighthouse.
Another interesting fact here is that there is a historic plaque on
the grounds acknowledging that this location is haunted!
Hockey's
greatest stars are forever remembered within the former Bank of Montreal
building at Young and Front Streets. The building, originally designed
by Toronto's Darling and Curry, was finished construction in 1885. The
rococo building served as a downtown branch for just under a century.
Located within BCE Place, it has been home to the Hockey Hall of Fame
for a couple years. The most impressive part of this building has to
be the Bell Great Hall, located in the heart of the structure.
Part
of Osgoode Hall can boast that it is the most historic building still
standing in downtown. This large roman structure has sections that date
back to the early 1800's. The Hall was originally constructed to house
the Law Society of Upper Canada, and being this prestige called for
an architectural wonder. Today it still stands just off of University
and Queen, home to such fine establishments as the Osgoode Hall Law
School, founded in 1889 and now affiliated with York University.
The
government at Queen's Park may have no idea what history surrounds them.
The park itself was home to both the learned and the insane before this
legislative building occupied the grounds. Queen's Park's building has
stood strong, home to Ontario's most influential political figures since
1893. Before the government arrived, the park was site to King's College
and then the University hospital for the Insane. It is said that many
spirits from the University hospital have not let go of the terrible
things that were done to them; roaming the halls of Queen's Park, as
they would have within the hospital.
The
music just sounded better in Massey Hall. Toronto's first concert hall
was one of inner beauty, as the inside was venue to some of the best
musical wonders of the times. It was built in 1894 using funds donated
to the city by Hart Massey of the famous Massey family. The front of
the building shows no real riches, as the architecture wasn't designed
to attract attention. The inside was a different story, as the sound
coming from stage would bounce along the walls and impress even the
viewers in the far back.
How
many places can say that they have more than one city hall? Toronto
can! Former mayor John Shaw, when opening Old City Hall stated, "…great
buildings symbolize a people's deeds and aspirations." Words that
hold true today, as this structure is a large and beautiful example
of historic aspirations and a credit to architect Edward James Lennox
(designer of Casa Loma). It wasn't easy creating such a masterpiece,
as both the Courthouse and City Hall was moved into the building after
a decade of construction when it was opened in 1899.
William
Lyon Mackenzie was a key player in the development of Toronto. His home
is one of the oldest homes still standing in downtown, and is rightfully
referred to as the Mackenzie House, dating back to the 1830's. Purchased
for the rebellious first mayor of Toronto, it would be his home and
sanctuary for the remainder of his life, until his death in 1861. Since
then the house remained under the Mackenzie family and was rented out
to many different people throughout the years. It now is a museum, restored
perfectly back to its 1850's form. It can also be considered one of
Toronto's best-known haunts.
A
true castle in design, not in age, Casa Loma stands as Toronto's most
impressive site and in some cases, its biggest folly. Designed by E.J.
Lennox for Sir Henry Pellet, this wonder was built during the years
of 1911-1914. Sir Henry's hope was to create an extravagant structure
that would attract royalty to Toronto. This wouldn't come to past as
only disaster befell the well-wishing Sir. Some three-hundred men worked
for three years at an extravagant cost for 1911 of 3.5 million dollars.
Sir Henry was only able to enjoy his new home for just over seven years,
as financial debt overcame him and he was forced to transfer ownership
to the city in the early 1920's.
The
richest family in Toronto's history is the Massey family. Their home
is still standing on Jarvis Street under the guise of the Keg Mansion.
This former home is one of the last remnants of Millionaires Row (Jarvis
Street, just below Bloor), and is currently home to a franchise of the
Keg Steakhouse. It was once a main attraction amoung the street that
the Jarvis and Cawthra families created at the time of its birth in
1853. Some famous Massey's to live here included, Hart Massey of Massey
Hall, the actor Raymond Massey, and Governor-General Vincent Massey.
We highly recommend visiting this haunted structure, not necessarily
for the food, but for the beautiful architecture. 
Being
a saved building has not diminished the beauty of The Royal Alexandra
Theatre. The Edwardian style theatre was built in 1907 and set for demolition
in 1963; it was purchased and restored by savior Ed Mirvish of "Honest
Ed" fame. Since it's first production of the pantomime, "Top
o' the World" this building has been a regal addition to the group
of King Street Theatres.
Every
major city has to have a jail; Toronto's is the historic Don Jail. It
has graced the valley with its noble gothic style since 1858. Rebuilt
in 1865 after a damaging fire, this design by architect William Thomas
stands as a symbol of strength. The strength is in it's ability to hold
the wicked, as it boasts one of the best security records of all prisons.
Being fooled by the Boyd Gang will go down as one of the only times
that the walls had been penetrated from the inside. As for ghosts, the
jail has a legend of a blonde lady that haunts the halls of the woman's
building. They say that she is the violent spirit of a woman who hanged
herself back in the 1890's. 
In
the early 1800's, settlers came from all around to popular the growing
city of York. Todmorden Mills allows you to step back and see what it
was like to be one of these settlers. The grounds of Todmorden are nestled
away from the noise and traffic of the city. Down the hill and into
the Don Valley, you can find a Village that is frozen in time. Restored
to original 1800's form in 1964, after being almost completely demolished
by Hurricane Hazel ten years prior, the city of Toronto now has an obligation
on being dedicated to the original families that slaved to make this
a site of Industry and Paradise.