Previous Government Houses

Chorley Park, Ontario’s last Government House, takes its name from a tract of land in north Rosedale on which this impressive mansion was built. Designed by the province’s chief architect, Francis R. Heakes, in the Loire Valley Chateau style of architecture, the building cost well over $1 million.

Its history was brief: after barely 22 years, the provincial government considered Chorley Park too great of an expense. The property was sold and the residence’s contents were auctioned off in 1938. Some of the most impressive features of Chorley Park were moved to Queen’s Park, including six crystal chandeliers, a collection of paintings of Ontario’s Lieutenant Governors, and purpose-built furniture provided by the T. Eaton Company.

Lieutenant Governors Sir John Gibson and Sir John Hendrie briefly occupied the building known as Pendarves at St George and College Streets until Chorley Park opened in 1915. Now known as Cumberland House, it is the location of the University of Toronto’s Centre for International Experience.

Upon Confederation in 1867, the provincial government saw the need for a Government House in the “grand manner”. What has now come to be called “Old Government House” was erected at the cost of just over $100,000. Its modern French style was designed by the Toronto firm of Gundry and Langley. The building was occupied in 1870 by William Pearse Howland.

Old Government House was situated on the site of the old Elmsley House at King and Simcoe Streets. On alternate corners were Upper Canada College, The British Saloon, and St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Not surprisingly, the area came to be called “Education, Damnation, Legislation, and Salutation”.

The house remained the official residence until 1912, when the area was deemed inappropriate due to the growth of nearby commercial structures and railway tracks, and the fact that the Legislative Assembly had moved into the new building at Queen’s Park. The site was sold to the Canadian Pacific Railway and the building was demolished in 1915.

Elmsley Villa was occupied by The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, Governor General of the Province of Canada, from 1849 to 1851.

Beverley House was, for a time, an official residence. It had been purchased in 1817 by Sir John Beverley Robinson, and was occupied by Lord Sydenham from 1839 to 1840 when he came to Toronto to implement the union of Upper and Lower Canada. This residence was later turned over to the Robinson family, who occupied it until its demolition in 1912.

Following the war, the government purchased Elmsley House, the residence of Chief Justice John Elmsley, converting it into the official residence of the province. It was located at the south-west corner of King and Simcoe Streets.

It served as Government House until 1841 and had been used by Francis Gore, Sir Peregrine Maitland, Sir John Colborne, Sir Francis Bond Head, and Sir George Arthur.

In 1800, the first public funds were expended for a new Government House. This U-shaped one-storey structure was designed by Captain Robert Pilkington, and was situated near the French Fort at the western end of town.

This residence was occupied by Peter Hunter, Alexander Grant, Francis Gore, Sir Isaac Brock, and Roger Hale Sheaffe.

In 1813, the residence met its demise by explosion during the American invasion of York.

John Graves Simcoe’s successor, Peter Russell, occupied his own house, Russell Abbey, located at the south-west corner of Princess and Front streets.

In July 1793, John Graves Simcoe sailed to the town of York (now Toronto) to establish a new capital for Upper Canada. For two years, he took up residence in a tent or canvas house in the neighbourhood of the old fort at the entrance to the harbour.

In 1795, Simcoe built a summer home, naming it Castle Frank to honour his eldest son and heir, Francis. No public money was expended during the construction. The cottage was built of of logs covered with clapboards, built along the Grecian temple plan, which was a style popular at that time.

The drawing by Mrs. Elizabeth Simcoe shows that the residence must have commanded an impressive view of both town and the Don River. Castle Frank stood until 1829, when, deserted and uncared for, it was destroyed by fire.

In July 1792, Upper Canada’s first Lieutenant Governor, John Graves Simcoe, arrived at Newark (now Niagara-on-the-Lake), the province’s original capital. Navy Hall was the first official residence, even though it was also used as the original meeting place of Upper Canada’s Legislature.