Redevelopment
This is the area where John Skelsey had his land in the 1850s. It is about to become the Pan American village for the Toronto Games of 2015.
The building above the bonnet of the digger is interesting. It has had various manifestations in its history. The timing of John Skelsey's return to England and the construction of the building suggest that his land was bought by the Schools Board.
The First Annual Report (for the year ending December 3l, 1859) of the Superintendent of the Public Schools for The City of Toronto explained that: "A Handsome brick School House has been erected on the corner of Palace and Cherry Streets in the Ward of St. Lawrence for the increased accommodations of residents in that part of the city. It consists of two school rooms, one for boys and the other for girls, each capable of receiving from 80-90 children. A master has been employed to take charge of the boys; and the former mistress of the [Enoch Turner] school retains charge of the girls. The new building is of so substantial a character that, should it in the course of time become necessary, the roof can be raised and an upper storey added so as to double the present accommodation."
In time that building was superceded. It was taken over by a hotel. "A well known and popular hotel in this city is the Cherry Street Hotel, Mr. J.J.. Darcy, proprietor, situated at the comer of Cherry and Front Street. The building, a commodious brick structure, was originally a school house for a period of 45 years. In 1890 it was remodelled and rebuilt into a hotel and opened by Mr. Robert Irvine as the Irvine House. On the 20th of June, 1892, he was succeeded by Mr. Darcy, the present proprietor, who refitted and refurnished the house throughout and has since conducted it as the Cherry Street Hotel in a manner greatly redounding to his credit. The house contains upwards of 40 neatly furnished sleeping rooms, a well equipped dining room and office. The very best to be obtained in the market is served daily in the dining room, and in the well kept bar can always be found the choicest imported wines, liquors, ales, beer, porter, stout and cigars." (From 'Toronto, the Queen City of Canada", pub. 1893
When the hotel failed the building was again extended, this time as a warehouse.
Thanks to the following website for this information, including the quotations that I have copied:
Redevelopment
This is the area where John Skelsey had his land in the 1850s. It is about to become the Pan American village for the Toronto Games of 2015.
The building above the bonnet of the digger is interesting. It has had various manifestations in its history. The timing of John Skelsey's return to England and the construction of the building suggest that his land was bought by the Schools Board.
The First Annual Report (for the year ending December 3l, 1859) of the Superintendent of the Public Schools for The City of Toronto explained that: "A Handsome brick School House has been erected on the corner of Palace and Cherry Streets in the Ward of St. Lawrence for the increased accommodations of residents in that part of the city. It consists of two school rooms, one for boys and the other for girls, each capable of receiving from 80-90 children. A master has been employed to take charge of the boys; and the former mistress of the [Enoch Turner] school retains charge of the girls. The new building is of so substantial a character that, should it in the course of time become necessary, the roof can be raised and an upper storey added so as to double the present accommodation."
In time that building was superceded. It was taken over by a hotel. "A well known and popular hotel in this city is the Cherry Street Hotel, Mr. J.J.. Darcy, proprietor, situated at the comer of Cherry and Front Street. The building, a commodious brick structure, was originally a school house for a period of 45 years. In 1890 it was remodelled and rebuilt into a hotel and opened by Mr. Robert Irvine as the Irvine House. On the 20th of June, 1892, he was succeeded by Mr. Darcy, the present proprietor, who refitted and refurnished the house throughout and has since conducted it as the Cherry Street Hotel in a manner greatly redounding to his credit. The house contains upwards of 40 neatly furnished sleeping rooms, a well equipped dining room and office. The very best to be obtained in the market is served daily in the dining room, and in the well kept bar can always be found the choicest imported wines, liquors, ales, beer, porter, stout and cigars." (From 'Toronto, the Queen City of Canada", pub. 1893
When the hotel failed the building was again extended, this time as a warehouse.
Thanks to the following website for this information, including the quotations that I have copied: