Chorley Park

Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted September, 2006

Photo Source - Archives of Ontario

Here at 245 Douglas Drive, you can see a rock to which is attached a 1975 Toronto Historical Board plaque. Here's what it tells us:

Plaque coordinates: 43.685893 -79.370631

Chorley Park was originally the property of Toronto Alderman John Hallam, born in Chorley, Lancashire. In 1911 the garden provided the setting for Ontario's last Government House, which was designed by F.R. Heakes and built of Credit Valley stone in the French Chateau style. The house stood at the end of a curving approach from Roxborough Drive. From 1915 it was the imposing official residence for five Lieutenant-Governors, where distinguished visitors and Toronto citizens attended levees, receptions and charity balls, until closed for financial reasons in 1937. Acquired by the government of Canada, it served as a military hospital from 1940 to 1953, and later as RCMP headquarters and for Toronto Militia purposes. Chorley Park was purchased by the City of Toronto in 1960 and the building was demolished a year later when the site was developed as a public park.

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Posted June 24, 2011
The plaque is correct. The plural of "lieutenant-governor" is indeed "lieutenant governors". It is the word "governor" that is pluralized. The plural of "Governor-General" is "Governors-General".

Posted February 3, 2011
I was 13 years old in 1949, and a couple of friends and myself went into the hospital every morning to sell the soldiers the Globe & Mail it was a great place to visit, lots of stories from there. and the grounds around there were great I had a few school friend that lived on Roixborough Dr. and there houses back onto the hospital I think it was beautiful

Posted June 18, 2010
Because a building is big and built in a historicist style should not mean that it has significant architectural merit. Such is the case with this building. It was somewhat gaudy, with little elegance or grace -- not dissimilar in that respect from Casa Loma. The park is wonderful and I am pleased that the building is no longer there.

Posted October 30, 2009
How typically Canadian: the City of Toronto wantonly destroyed the beautiful residence. They knew and still know ONLY the price of everything but the value of nothing. Luckily, just before it was demolished, I went into the building with a friend in 1960, at the age of 11.

Posted January 18, 2009
I too wonder why they demolished this beautiful home!

Posted December 21, 2008
You should include a picture of the beautiful building that The City of Toronto disgracefully tore down for that underused park.

Posted July 15, 2008
Please correct: "Lieutenant-Governors" should be "Lieutenants-Governor."

Posted May 27, 2008
How on earth were they allowed to tear down such a fabulous building with historical significance? The City of Toronto should be ashamed!

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