Coach-House of Chester Park

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted March, 2009

Here, behind the building at 1132 Broadview Avenue, north of Danforth Avenue, is a former coach-house. A plaque, just to the right of the door, was erected by the East York Historical Society with the assistance of the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture and the Salvation Army. Here's what it says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.68749 -79.35721

The coach-house of Chester Park is all that remains of the residence of the Thomas Taylor family, built circa 1880. Robert Davies, a brother-in-law, purchased it in 1885. These two prominent local landowners and manufacturers were responsible for much of the development of East York. The Salvation Army bought Chester Park in 1940 and used it as a children's home until 1976 when the main house was demolished. This surviving structure is still of use to the community and represents part of the heritage left by the Taylors and Davies.

Related web pages
East York
Salvation Army
Chester Park

Related Toronto plaque
The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters

More
Residential buildings
East York plaques

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Posted June 10, 2010
How fantastically interesting to find this link to my past! I grew up @ 1132 Broadview Avenue, in the Coach House when I was a young teenager. There was a small swimming pool to the north of the coach house. I have great memories of us learning to dance, laughing and giggling. I was one of the original nine children to live in the coach house when it was first restored. Estelle McLean, and her son Kenny McLean, was our house mother. I went to live in the large mansion, surrounded by large chestnut trees, when I was 11 years old. True Davidson was our Reeve. We used to slid down the dumb waiter in the mansion house. It was such a hoot! During the summer months we would go by train to Presquille Provincial Park. There was a big field stone house with accompanying out buildings that was donated to the salvation army. I now live in Collingwood, Ontario, and would be very delighted to chat with anyone about my adventures associated with the coach house. I went to Plains Road P.S. when Gordon Brown was principal. I'd love to hear from anyone, and also to find out how I may get in touch with former residents of the Salvation Army 'Nest', at 1132 Broadview, as it was referred to then.
wendy445y@rogers.com

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