House and farm.

Details of Site Location: Lot 13, Concession 3, at the junction of Millrood Road, Laird Drive, and Southvale Road, where Leaside Memorial Gardens now stands.

Boundary History: West of Bayview, east of the Don Valley, south of the John Lea property (Lost Sites #233), and north of another curve of the Don Valley on the south.

Current Use of Property: Community Centre and parking lot where the house stood; mixed residential, commercial, and industrial buildings on the balance of the site.

Historical Description: Between 1851 and 1854 William Lea built a large two-storey octagonal house, with a smaller storey added on top, on his 200-acre farm. He had inherited 90 acres from his father and was probably in a position to purchase the additional acres on his own. The property adjoined his father’s farm. It was in the south portion that he built Leaside, Toronto’s first octagonal house. Drawings exist showing its proportions but few details of construction or of the interior. It appears to have been of frame construction. William is quoted as explaining his choice of design: “. . . like a bee’s cell, it encloses the greatest amount of space within the least amount of wall.” As well as being a family home, Leaside also served as a post office, a town hall, and a courthouse. William lived there until is death in 1893. His son, Joseph, also lived there until his death in 1903. The house stood empty for 10 years, and deteriorated. In 1913 it was demolished by the Canadian Northern Railway: they set fire to it, and it is rumoured that an entire day was needed to completely burn the magnificent pine woodwork.

Relative Importance: The Lea family were true pioneers in the Toronto area of the early 1800s. They made an important contribution to the life and development to Toronto that should not be forgotten.

Planning Implications: In addition to the plaque outside Leaside Memorial Gardens, there should be a permanent display inside that tells the story of the Lea Family of Leaside and more effectively commemorates this pioneer family.

Reference Sources: J.J. Rempel, The Town of Leaside – A Brief History (East York Historical Society, 1982); The Golden Years of East York (Centennial College Press); Charles Sauriol, Pioneers of the Don; Inventory of Historical Buildings in East York, East York LACAC.

Acknowledgements: Maps Project; S. Walter Stewart Library.