House.
Details of Site Location: On the hill just west of the Bayview extension approximately 700′ (213 m.) south of the Bloor Viaduct looking over the Don River.
Boundary History: Part of a 200 acre land grant in the name of two year old Francis Simcoe by his father Lt. Governor John Graves Simcoe.
Current Use of Property: A high school (formerly called Castle Frank) covers most of the flat land at the top of this hill. Before that there was a very large home on the site.
Historical Description: As quoted from Elizabeth Simcoe‘s Diary, Tuesday, 29 October 1793: “The Governor having determined to take a lot of 200 acres upon the River Don for Francis, and the law obliges persons having lots of land to build a house upon them within a year, we went to-day to fix upon the spot for building the house. We went six miles by water from the Fort and east along the Bay shore to the Don, and up that river, landed, climbed up an exceedingly steep hill, or rather a series of sugar-loafed hills, and approved the highest spot, from whence we looked down on the tops of large trees and, seeing eagles near, I suppose they build there. There are large pines plains around it, which, being without underwood, I can ride and walk on, and we hope the height of the situation will secure us from mosquitoes.” Work on the house started in 1794, but took two years to complete. It was called Castle Frank, named after son Francis. Castle Frank was constructed entirely of white pine. It faced south to take advantage of the river view and was 30′ by 60’. The log cabin was covered with boards to give it a clapboard effect, and four large 16′ high tree trunks were place at the front to make it look, as Mrs. Simcoe said “the plan of a Grecian temple.” The only windows were at the end of the building, and they had shutters that could be opened. No glass was ever installed. Simcoe’s soldiers cut a path across the town and then north along what is now Parliament Street. Many parties and gatherings took place at Castle Frank in both summer and winter. The Simcoes and guests could ride up this path in the summer on horseback or in the winter by sleigh. However, the river probably was the easiest route. The Simcoes left Castle Frank for the last time on 20 July 1796 to return to England. Francis Simcoe never again visited his property, as he was killed in a battle in Spain while still in his early 20s. Administrator Peter Russell occasionally used Castle Frank until 1807. Sadly, fishermen accidentally burned Castle Frank in 1829. Castle Frank’s name is remembered by a street and a subway station.
Relative Importance: It is important to remember one of Toronto’s founders and his wife. Because of Elizabeth Simcoe’s Diary we know the everyday history of early Toronto (York).
Planning Implications: It would be wonderful if a park or climbing path could be placed on this steep pitch. Knowing you are climbing a hill that Mrs. Simcoe’s family and friends once climbed would be very exciting. The only plaque on this land, for Mrs. Simcoe, is in a dark spot under a tree inside the high school fence. There is also a cairn on the side of the street. Could a plaque, with a copy of Mrs. Simcoe’s drawing of Castle Frank, telling the story of building be placed somewhere prominent on the property?
Reference Sources: C. Pelham Mulvany, M.A., M.D., Toronto, Past and Present until 1882; William Kilbourn, The Toronto Book; George Rust-D’Eye, Cabbagetown Remembered; Mike Filey, A Toronto Almanac.